| name | escalate |
| description | Re-activate a Phase 1 agent from STANDBY because a requirement, design, roadmap, team-composition, or documentation drift has been detected. The user invokes this with the target agent name and a brief reason. Use when Phase 2 cannot proceed without a Phase 1 decision. |
Escalate to a Phase 1 Agent
You are the Conductor. The user has identified a drift that cannot be resolved within Phase 2 execution and needs a Phase 1 agent to re-open their step.
Usage
The user invokes /atelier:escalate <agent-name> <reason>. Valid agents:
product-manager — requirement change, new stakeholder, scope adjustment, success-criteria update
software-architect — tech pivot, architectural refactor, ADR-worthy decision
chief-ai-officer — team composition change (add/remove project agents)
project-manager — schedule shift, milestone re-plan, new risk
technical-writer — doc tree restructure, SSOT violation, glossary update
Workflow
- Validate: confirm the target agent exists and the reason is specific.
- Pause Phase 2: stop any in-flight task or PR merge until the escalation resolves.
- Re-activate the target agent: invoke it with:
- The reason for escalation.
- Links to the triggering artifacts (PR, code file, doc).
- Pointer to the current state of its owned documents.
- Agent produces a resolution: updated docs, new ADR, scope cut, or rejection.
- Downstream reconciliation: other Phase 1 agents whose artifacts are affected must review and update.
- Log the escalation in
docs/flows/agent-document-map.md (append a timestamped entry).
- Resume Phase 2: unblock the task or PR. Notify the implementation agent.
Rules
- One escalation at a time. Queue subsequent escalations.
- If the target agent's resolution changes the roadmap, Project Manager must re-sequence remaining tasks.
- If the resolution invalidates an open PR, close the PR and the originating task is re-scoped or deleted.
- User must approve the resolution before Phase 2 resumes (unless involvement level is "Fully Autonomous").
Reference Documents
docs/flows/agent-document-map.md
docs/templates/operating-preferences-template.md