| name | dev-orchestrator |
| description | Orchestrates systematic development workflow for any software development task - from simple bug fixes to complex multi-file features. Separates specification from implementation, provides testing guidance, and manages completion workflow. Use when user requests to implement, build, develop, or fix any code. |
Orchestrates systematic workflow for all software development by separating specification from implementation
Keeps main context clean for requirements gathering while implementation happens in focused, isolated sub-agent contexts
User requests to implement, build, develop, or create new functionality
User requests to fix bugs or issues
Task requires any code changes (simple or complex)
User wants systematic approach with testing guidance
Task involves multiple files or architectural decisions
Clarify requirements and generate structured spec
Execute spec in clean sub-agent context
User performs manual testing with provided guidance
User confirms and feature is archived
<tool_restrictions>
<allowed_tools>
Invoke dev-spec and dev-execute skills
Clarify requirements before specification
</allowed_tools>
<forbidden_tools>
Do not spawn sub-agents directly - use dev-execute skill instead
Do not read specifications - let dev-execute handle that
Do not create specifications directly - use dev-spec skill instead
</forbidden_tools>
<orchestrator_role>This is a GUIDANCE skill that instructs Claude to invoke other skills at appropriate times</orchestrator_role>
</tool_restrictions>
This is an ORCHESTRATOR skill - provide guidance and invoke dev-spec and dev-execute, do not implement directly
Always use dev-spec to create specifications before implementation
Always use dev-execute to execute specifications, never implement in main context
Never archive features automatically - dev-execute handles two-phase workflow (implementation then user confirmation)
After dev-execute completes implementation and provides testing steps, remind user to test before marking complete
When user confirms "feature X is complete", invoke dev-execute in completion mode to archive
For multiple related changes, discuss parallel vs sequential execution with user
Adapt specification complexity to task complexity (dev-spec handles this)
Features stay in ./.dev-docs/features/ until user confirms testing complete
<complete_workflow>
<phase_1 name="specification">
dev-spec skill
Clarify requirements with user through targeted questions
Ask about architecture, patterns, constraints, success criteria
Generate XML-structured specification with implementation guidance
Save to ./.dev-docs/features/[number]-[name].md
Ask user: "Ready to execute this specification?"
dev-spec automatically adjusts depth based on task complexity
</phase_1>
<phase_2 name="implementation">
User confirms ready to execute specification
dev-execute skill
Invoke dev-execute with feature number or name
dev-execute reads specification from ./.dev-docs/features/
Spawns sub-agent in clean context with specification as prompt
Sub-agent implements and provides suggested manual testing steps
Feature remains in ./.dev-docs/features/ (NOT archived yet)
<execution_strategies>
One specification, focused implementation
Multiple independent specs with no shared files
Multiple dependent specs that must run in order
</execution_strategies>
</phase_2>
<phase_3 name="testing">
dev-execute completes implementation and provides testing steps
Present testing suggestions from sub-agent to user
Remind user: "Feature X has been implemented. Please test using the steps above, then confirm completion when ready."
Wait for user to perform manual testing
Feature stays in ./.dev-docs/features/ during testing
Do NOT automatically archive or mark complete - wait for explicit user confirmation
</phase_3>
<phase_4 name="completion">
User explicitly confirms: "feature X is complete", "archive feature X", "mark feature X done"
Invoke dev-execute in completion mode
dev-execute adds completion metadata and archives to ./.dev-docs/features/completed/
Confirm to user: "Feature X archived to completed/"
</phase_4>
</complete_workflow>
<integration_with_dev_feature>
<two_phase_workflow>
<what_happens>Sub-agent implements code and provides testing steps</what_happens>
Feature stays in ./.dev-docs/features/ awaiting testing
<no_automatic_archiving>Feature is implemented but not yet marked complete</no_automatic_archiving>
User confirms testing complete
<what_happens>dev-execute archives to ./.dev-docs/features/completed/</what_happens>
Feature marked complete with metadata (executed timestamp, completed timestamp)
</two_phase_workflow>
<testing_phase_guidance>
<after_implementation>Always remind user to test before marking complete</after_implementation>
<testing_steps>Sub-agent provides specific, actionable testing steps</testing_steps>
<user_control>User decides when testing is complete and feature is ready to archive</user_control>
</testing_phase_guidance>
<completion_triggers>
feature X is complete
archive feature X
mark feature X done
complete feature X
</completion_triggers>
</integration_with_dev_feature>
<skill_integration>
feature-creator (this skill) - provides workflow guidance
dev-spec - creates executable specifications
dev-execute - implements specifications in sub-agents
<communication_flow>
User requests development work
feature-creator invokes dev-spec
dev-spec clarifies requirements and creates specification
dev-spec saves to ./.dev-docs/features/
dev-spec asks user: "Execute now?"
If yes, feature-creator invokes dev-execute
dev-execute spawns sub-agent and implements
Sub-agent provides testing steps, feature stays in ./.dev-docs/features/
feature-creator reminds user to test
User tests and confirms: "feature X is complete"
feature-creator invokes dev-execute in completion mode
dev-execute archives to ./.dev-docs/features/completed/
</communication_flow>
</skill_integration>
<complexity_handling>
<simple_work>
Bug fixes, single-file changes, small enhancements
dev-spec generates lightweight specification
Quick, focused implementation with minimal overhead
</simple_work>
<complex_work>
Multi-file features, architectural changes, new components
dev-spec generates comprehensive specification with extended thinking
Thorough planning ensures quality implementation
</complex_work>
dev-spec automatically adjusts depth based on task complexity signals
</complexity_handling>
Main context stays clean for requirements gathering and planning
Implementation happens in fresh context with only the specification
No pollution from exploration mixed with execution
Systematic thinking produces comprehensive specifications
Clear success criteria ensure completion signals
Testing guidance built into every implementation
Two-phase workflow prevents premature completion
Specifications saved as reviewable markdown files
Can edit and rerun specifications
Archive completed work for reference
Parallel execution for independent components
Sequential execution for dependent tasks
No token concerns with Claude Max
<error_handling>
dev-spec cannot create specification
Ask user for more details about requirements
Retry specification with additional context
dev-execute reports implementation errors
Feature stays in ./.dev-docs/features/ (not archived)
Review error details with user
May need to revise specification and re-execute
User tests and finds problems
Do not archive current feature
Option 1: Create new specification for fixes and execute
Option 2: Revise original specification and re-execute
Archive only after user confirms everything works
User wants to modify feature after seeing results
Do not archive current feature
Create new specification for modifications
Execute modification specification
User tests combined result, then confirms completion
<orchestrator_behavior>
<automation_level>
<when_invoked>Automatically invoke dev-spec for specification phase</when_invoked>
<after_spec>Ask user if ready to execute, then invoke dev-execute if confirmed</after_spec>
<after_implementation>Remind user to test, wait for confirmation before archiving</after_implementation>
<on_completion_trigger>Invoke dev-execute in completion mode to archive</on_completion_trigger>
</automation_level>
<user_control>
User can review/edit specification before execution
User controls when to execute
User controls testing timeline
User explicitly confirms completion before archival
</user_control>
</orchestrator_behavior>
Fix the login button that's not responding on mobile
feature-creator invokes dev-spec
dev-spec asks: "What's the expected behavior? Any specific mobile devices affected?"
Generates lightweight specification (simple fix)
Saves to ./.dev-docs/features/001-fix-login-button.md
User confirms: "Execute now"
feature-creator invokes dev-execute
Sub-agent fixes button, provides testing steps: "Test on iOS Safari and Android Chrome"
Feature stays in ./.dev-docs/features/001-fix-login-button.md
User tests on mobile devices
Verifies button works correctly
User confirms: "Feature 001 is complete"
feature-creator invokes dev-execute in completion mode
Feature archived to ./.dev-docs/features/completed/001-fix-login-button.md
Build a user authentication system with OAuth support
feature-creator invokes dev-spec
dev-spec asks: "OAuth providers? Token storage? Session management?"
Generates comprehensive specification with architecture details
Saves to ./.dev-docs/features/002-user-authentication.md
User confirms: "Execute now"
feature-creator invokes dev-execute
Sub-agent implements OAuth flow, provides detailed testing steps
Feature stays in ./.dev-docs/features/002-user-authentication.md
User tests OAuth flow with different providers
Verifies token storage and session management
Finds issue with token refresh
User: "Token refresh isn't working"
feature-creator invokes dev-spec for fix
Creates 003-fix-token-refresh.md
Executes fix, user tests again
User confirms: "Features 002 and 003 are complete"
feature-creator invokes dev-execute for both
Both archived to ./.dev-docs/features/completed/
Build separate auth, API, and UI components in parallel
feature-creator invokes dev-spec
dev-spec creates 3 independent specifications
Saves as 004-auth.md, 005-api.md, 006-ui.md
User confirms: "Execute all in parallel"
feature-creator invokes dev-execute: "Execute features 004, 005, 006 in parallel"
dev-execute spawns 3 sub-agents simultaneously (one message)
All 3 provide testing steps, remain in ./.dev-docs/features/
User tests auth component - works
User tests API component - works
User tests UI component - has bug
User: "Features 004 and 005 are complete"
feature-creator archives 004 and 005, leaves 006 for fixing
Create 007-fix-ui-bug.md, execute, test
User: "Features 006 and 007 are complete"
Archive both to completed/
Set up database, create migrations, then seed data (must be in order)
dev-spec creates 3 specifications in sequence
008-setup-database.md, 009-create-migrations.md, 010-seed-data.md
User: "Execute sequentially"
dev-execute executes 008, waits for completion, provides testing
User tests database setup: "Feature 008 is complete"
dev-execute archives 008, executes 009, provides testing
User tests migrations: "Feature 009 is complete"
dev-execute archives 009, executes 010, provides testing
User tests seed data: "Feature 010 is complete"
dev-execute archives 010
Sequential execution allows testing between dependent steps
I need to add dark mode support to the app
I'll orchestrate the development workflow. First, let me invoke dev-spec to create a specification.
*invokes dev-spec*
dev-spec is working on the specification...
Specification created and saved to ./.dev-docs/features/011-dark-mode.md. Ready to execute?
Yes
*invokes dev-execute*
Implementation complete! Suggested manual testing steps:
1. Toggle dark mode in settings
2. Verify all pages render correctly in dark mode
3. Check color contrast meets accessibility standards
Feature 011 has been implemented. Please test using the steps above, then let me know when it's complete.</agent>
<user>*user tests*</user>
<user>Everything looks good. Feature 011 is complete.</user>
<agent>*invokes dev-execute in completion mode*</agent>
<agent>Feature 011 has been archived to ./.dev-docs/features/completed/011-dark-mode.md</agent>
</conversation>
<related_skills>
Creates XML-structured feature specifications with adaptive complexity
Executes specifications in sub-agents with two-phase testing workflow
</related_skills>