/prime-workflows

description: Prime agent with Archon workflow engine context

Prime Workflows: Workflow Engine Orientation

Objective

Orient on the workflow engine (`packages/workflows/`) before working on workflow execution, YAML parsing, DAG logic, routing, or observability.

Process

1. Understand the Workflow Package Structure

!`ls packages/workflows/src/`

2. Understand Workflow Type Definitions

Read `packages/workflows/src/types.ts` in full — the complete type system for workflow definitions: `WorkflowDefinition`, `WorkflowStep`, `WorkflowNode` (DAG), `LoopConfig`, `NodeType` (command / prompt / bash), `TriggerRule`, `OutputFormat`, tool restriction fields.

3. Understand the Executor

Read `packages/workflows/src/executor.ts` first 80 lines — `executeWorkflow()` entry point, the three mutually exclusive execution modes (steps, loop, nodes/DAG), artifact directory setup, variable substitution via `$ARTIFACTS_DIR` / `$WORKFLOW_ID`.

Read `packages/workflows/src/dag-executor.ts` first 80 lines — topological sort, concurrent node dispatch for independent nodes in the same layer, `when:` condition evaluation, `trigger_rule` join semantics, `$nodeId.output` substitution.

4. Understand the Loader

Read `packages/workflows/src/loader.ts` first 60 lines — `discoverWorkflows()` / `discoverWorkflowsWithConfig()`, resilient loading (one bad YAML doesn't abort), model validation at load time, bundled defaults merging with repo-specific workflows.

5. Understand the Router

Read `packages/workflows/src/router.ts` first 60 lines — how incoming messages are matched to workflows, case-insensitive matching, Codex tool bypass detection.

6. Understand Observability

Read `packages/workflows/src/event-emitter.ts` — `WorkflowEventEmitter`, emitted event types (step_started, step_completed, node events, loop iterations, artifacts), how the server bridges these to SSE via `WorkflowEventBridge`.

7. Understand Dependency Injection

Read `packages/workflows/src/deps.ts` — `WorkflowDeps` type: `IWorkflowPlatform`, `IWorkflowAgentProvider`, `IWorkflowStore` injected at runtime. No direct DB or AI imports inside this package.

8. See What Workflows Are Available

List the bundled `sdlc` pack (one folder per workflow, embedded into the binary): !`ls .archon/workflows/sdlc/`

List the other repo workflows: !`ls .archon/workflows/`

9. Check Recent Workflow Engine Activity

!`git log -8 --oneline -- packages/workflows/`

Output

Summarize (under 250 words):

Execution Modes

• `steps:` — sequential steps, each step is a command or inline prompt
• `loop:` — iterative execution with `max_iterations` and `exit_condition`
• `nodes:` (DAG) — explicit `depends_on` edges, concurrent independent nodes per layer

DAG Node Types

• `command:` — named command file from `.archon/commands/`
• `prompt:` — inline prompt text
• `bash:` — shell script, stdout captured as `$nodeId.output`, no AI involved

Key Features

• `when:` conditions, `trigger_rule` join semantics (all / any_success / always)
• `output_format` for structured JSON (Claude only)
• `allowed_tools` / `denied_tools` per node (Claude only)
• Per-node `provider` and `model` overrides
• `$nodeId.output` cross-node data passing

Variable Substitution

• `$1`, `$2`, `$ARGUMENTS`, `$PLAN`, `$ARTIFACTS_DIR`, `$WORKFLOW_ID`, `$BASE_BRANCH`

Bundled Workflows

• List the `sdlc` pack workflows and their purposes

Recent Changes