/output-dev-evaluator-function

name: output-dev-evaluator-function
description: Create evaluator functions in evaluators.ts for Output SDK workflows. Use when implementing quality assessment, validation logic, or content evaluation.
allowed-tools: [Read, Write, Edit]

Creating Evaluator Functions

Overview

This skill documents how to create evaluator functions in `evaluators.ts` for Output SDK workflows. Evaluators are used to assess quality, validate outputs, and provide confidence-scored judgments about workflow results.

When to Use This Skill

• Implementing quality assessment for workflow outputs
• Adding validation logic with confidence scores
• Creating LLM-powered content evaluation
• Building reusable evaluation components

File Organization

Option 1: Flat File (Default)

For smaller workflows, use a single `evaluators.ts` file:

src/workflows/{workflow-name}/
├── workflow.ts
├── steps.ts
├── evaluators.ts    # All evaluators in one file
├── types.ts
└── ...

Option 2: Folder-Based (Large workflows)

For larger workflows with many evaluators, use an `evaluators/` folder:

src/workflows/{workflow-name}/
├── workflow.ts
├── steps.ts
├── evaluators/      # Evaluators split into individual files
│   ├── quality.ts
│   ├── accuracy.ts
│   └── completeness.ts
├── types.ts
└── ...

Component Location Rules

**Important**: `evaluator()` calls MUST be in files containing 'evaluators' in the path:

• `src/workflows/my_workflow/evaluators.ts` ✓
• `src/workflows/my_workflow/evaluators/quality.ts` ✓
• `src/shared/evaluators/common_evaluators.ts` ✓
• `src/workflows/my_workflow/helpers.ts` ✗ (cannot contain evaluator() calls)

Activity Isolation Constraints

Evaluators are Temporal activities with strict import rules to ensure deterministic replay.

Evaluators CAN import from:

• Local workflow files: `./utils.js`, `./types.js`, `./helpers.js`
• Local subdirectories: `./lib/helpers.js`
• Shared utilities: `../../shared/utils/*.js`
• Shared clients: `../../shared/clients/*.js`
• Shared services: `../../shared/services/*.js`

Evaluators CANNOT import:

• Other evaluator files (activity isolation)
• Step files
• Workflow files

**Example of WRONG imports:**

// WRONG - evaluators cannot import other evaluators
import { otherEvaluator } from '../../shared/evaluators/other.js'; // ✗
import { anotherEvaluator } from './other_evaluators.js'; // ✗

Critical Import Patterns

Core Imports

// CORRECT - Import from @outputai/core
import {
  evaluator,
  z,
  EvaluationBooleanResult,
  EvaluationNumberResult,
  EvaluationStringResult,
  EvaluationFeedback
} from '@outputai/core';

// WRONG - Never import z from zod
import { z } from 'zod';

LLM Client Import (for LLM-powered evaluators)

// CORRECT - Use @outputai/llm wrapper
import { generateText, Output } from '@outputai/llm';

// WRONG - Never call LLM providers directly
import OpenAI from 'openai';

ES Module Imports

All imports MUST use `.js` extension:

// CORRECT
import { BlogContent } from './types.js';

// WRONG - Missing .js extension
import { BlogContent } from './types';

Basic Structure

import { evaluator, z, EvaluationBooleanResult } from '@outputai/core';

export const myEvaluator = evaluator( {
  name: 'my_evaluator',
  description: 'Description of what this evaluator assesses',
  inputSchema: z.object( { /* input schema */ } ),
  fn: async input => {
    // Evaluation logic
    return new EvaluationBooleanResult( {
      value: true,
      confidence: 0.95
    } );
  }
} );

Required Properties

name (string)

Unique identifier for the evaluator. Use `snake_case`.

name: 'evaluate_content_quality'

description (string)

Human-readable description of what the evaluator assesses.

description: 'Evaluate the quality and completeness of generated content'

inputSchema (Zod schema)

Schema for validating evaluator input.

inputSchema: z.object( {
  content: z.string(),
  expectedLength: z.number()
} )

fn (async function)

The evaluator execution function. Returns an evaluation result with value and confidence.

fn: async input => {
  const isValid = input.content.length >= input.expectedLength;
  return new EvaluationBooleanResult( {
    value: isValid,
    confidence: 0.95
  } );
}

Result Types

EvaluationBooleanResult

Use for pass/fail or true/false evaluations:

import { EvaluationBooleanResult } from '@outputai/core';

return new EvaluationBooleanResult( {
  value: true,           // boolean result
  confidence: 0.95,      // 0.0 to 1.0
  reasoning: 'Optional explanation of the evaluation'
} );

EvaluationNumberResult

Use for numeric scores or ratings:

import { EvaluationNumberResult } from '@outputai/core';

return new EvaluationNumberResult( {
  value: 85,             // numeric result (e.g., 0-100 score)
  confidence: 0.85,      // 0.0 to 1.0
  reasoning: 'Optional explanation of the score'
} );

EvaluationStringResult

Use for categorical or text-based evaluations:

import { EvaluationStringResult } from '@outputai/core';

return new EvaluationStringResult( {
  value: 'positive',     // string result (e.g., category, sentiment, label)
  confidence: 0.9,       // 0.0 to 1.0
  reasoning: 'Optional explanation of the classification'
} );

Result Properties

| Property | Type | Required | Description | |----------|------|----------|-------------| | `value` | `boolean`, `number`, or `string` | Yes | The evaluation result | | `confidence` | `number` (0.0-1.0) | Yes | Confidence in the evaluation | | `reasoning` | `string` | No | Explanation of the evaluation | | `name` | `string` | No | Name for this specific result (useful in dimensions) | | `feedback` | `EvaluationFeedback[]` | No | Array of feedback objects with issues and suggestions | | `dimens