| name | controlflow-router |
| description | Use when a task broadly matches ControlFlow for Codex and you need to decide whether to start with spec capture, strict workflow, strict planning, pre-execution plan review, orchestration, code review, or memory hygiene, or whether to combine several of those skills in sequence. |
ControlFlow Router
Overview
Route work to the right ControlFlow-Codex skill instead of loading all of them by default. Use this as the entry point when the user wants "ControlFlow discipline" but has not said which mode is needed first.
Available Routes
controlflow-spec
controlflow-planning
controlflow-strict-workflow
controlflow-plan-audit
controlflow-assumption-verifier
controlflow-executability-verifier
controlflow-orchestration
controlflow-review
controlflow-memory-hygiene
When to Skip the Router
Do not use this router for TRIVIAL work where a direct Codex response is enough:
- single-line fixes or obvious corrections
- single-file edits with no architectural impact
- exploratory prototypes or throwaway scripts
- cases where the user already named the exact skill, such as
$controlflow-review
For simple work, prompt Codex directly or invoke only the one specific $controlflow-* skill that applies.
Routing Rules
Start with controlflow-spec when:
- the request is a new feature, migration, policy change, or other non-trivial task and no saved spec exists
- requirements, acceptance criteria, constraints, or success metrics are still ambiguous
- planning would need to infer scope boundaries or out-of-scope exclusions from chat context
- the user asks for requirements capture, spec-first work, or clarification before planning
After $controlflow-spec produces a spec artifact, route to $controlflow-planning with the spec path and intended plan_path.
Start with controlflow-planning when:
- the user asks for a plan
- the task is medium or large
- the file scope or architecture is still fuzzy
- the change includes migrations, cross-cutting edits, or explicit risk review
- a spec artifact already exists and should be converted into an implementation plan
Start with controlflow-strict-workflow when:
- you want the full ControlFlow-Codex process as one default path
- the task should move from planning through plan review and execution
- you do not want to manually choose each ControlFlow skill yourself
Start with controlflow-plan-audit when:
- a saved plan exists and should be reviewed before coding
- you want architecture, rollback, dependency, or test-strategy criticism
- the task is at least
SMALL
Start with controlflow-assumption-verifier when:
- a saved plan may contain invented paths, APIs, versions, integrations, or hidden assumptions
- the task is
MEDIUM or LARGE
- unresolved
HIGH semantic risk remains in the plan
Start with controlflow-executability-verifier when:
- a saved plan may still be too vague for a fresh executor
- the task is
LARGE
- you want a cold-start simulation before implementation begins
Start with controlflow-orchestration when:
- a plan already exists
- the task should be executed in phases
- approvals, retries, or handoff discipline matter
- the user wants structured progress through several steps
Start with controlflow-review when:
- the user asks for a review
- there is a diff, patch, PR, or completed phase to inspect
- the highest-value output is bugs, regressions, and validation gaps
Start with controlflow-memory-hygiene when:
- the task spans many turns or phases
- repo-persistent notes need cleanup
- the conversation risks relying on stale memory
Combined Flows
- For a new non-trivial task without a saved spec:
controlflow-spec -> controlflow-planning -> controlflow-plan-audit -> controlflow-orchestration
- For a new non-trivial task with a saved spec:
controlflow-planning -> controlflow-plan-audit -> controlflow-orchestration
- For the easiest default path:
controlflow-strict-workflow
- For a medium task:
controlflow-planning -> controlflow-plan-audit + controlflow-assumption-verifier -> controlflow-orchestration
- For a large task:
controlflow-planning -> controlflow-plan-audit + controlflow-assumption-verifier + controlflow-executability-verifier -> controlflow-orchestration
- For a long-running implementation:
controlflow-memory-hygiene + controlflow-orchestration
- For sign-off after implementation:
controlflow-review
- For a large or messy task:
controlflow-router first, then load only the skills that genuinely apply
Common Mistakes
- Loading every ControlFlow skill up front.
- Starting orchestration before a stable plan exists.
- Skipping plan review for
SMALL+ work.
- Using review mode to do planning.
- Treating memory hygiene as a substitute for re-reading the repository.