debate-workflow

name	debate-workflow
description	Multi-agent debate with 3-phase workflow. Optional --deep mode for feedback loop.
license	MIT

Debate Workflow

Multi-agent debate system with 3-phase workflow. Optional deep mode with convergence-based feedback loop.

When to Use

Activate this skill when:

• User needs multiple perspectives on a decision
• Complex tradeoffs require structured analysis
• Brainstorming needs systematic synthesis
• User invokes /debate command

Core Concepts

Standard Mode (default)

Phase 1 (Parallel) → Phase 2 (Parallel) → Phase 3

Deep Mode (--deep flag)

Phase 1 → Phase 2 → Convergence Check ─┬─► (converged) → Phase 3
                                       └─► (not converged) → Phase 2b → Phase 3

Usage:

• /debate monolith vs microservices → Standard 3-phase
• /debate monolith vs microservices --deep → With feedback loop

Agent Roles

Agent	Focus	Personality
Researcher	Evidence, possibilities	Curious, thorough
Critic	Risks, weaknesses	Skeptical, constructive
Synthesizer	Patterns, integration	Balanced, practical

Deep Mode: Convergence Detection

Only applies when using --deep flag.

How It Works

After Phase 2, compare the 3 KEY RECOMMENDATIONs from each agent.

Convergence Criteria (meet ANY)

1. All 3 agents recommend same general direction
2. 2 agents agree AND third acknowledges as valid
3. All agree on decision framework

Convergence NOT Met If

1. Agents recommend fundamentally opposing directions
2. Key trade-offs still contested without resolution
3. New concerns emerged that weren't addressed

Decision Flow

Condition	Action
Converged	Proceed to Phase 3
Not converged	Execute Phase 2b (1 additional round)
Max rounds reached	Proceed to Phase 3, note "Divergent" status

Deep Mode: Feedback Loop (Phase 2b)

Triggered only when convergence NOT met in deep mode. Each agent must:

1. Address specific disagreement directly
2. Either CONCEDE or provide STRONGER justification
3. Propose path forward

Behavioral Contracts

Each agent has constraints on what they MUST NOT do:

Agent	MUST NOT
Researcher	Conclude without evidence gaps; present speculation as fact
Critic	Critique without mitigation; skip likelihood/impact estimates
Synthesizer	Declare single best option; hide disagreements; force consensus

These contracts enforce genuine perspective diversity beyond stylistic variation.

Phase 2 Validation

Before Phase 3, verify each agent:

• Referenced at least 2 specific claims from other agents
• Acknowledged at least 1 valid point they initially missed
• Stated a KEY RECOMMENDATION
• (Deep mode only) Convergence check was performed

If validation fails: document in output, do not retry silently.

Error Handling

Scenario	Action
Agent Task fails	Note failure, continue with available responses
Phase 2 validation fails	Document which requirements not met
Agent doesn't follow format	Use available content, note deviation
Convergence unclear	Default to Phase 2b (err on thoroughness)
Max rounds reached	Proceed to Phase 3, mark as "Divergent"

Prompt Isolation

All agent prompts MUST include this preamble to prevent context confusion:

CONTEXT ISOLATION: This is a standalone debate exercise. IGNORE any repository, codebase, or file context. Focus ONLY on the debate topic below. Do NOT ask clarifying questions - just produce the requested analysis.

This prevents general-purpose subagents from getting distracted by repository context.

Best Practices

• Include CONTEXT ISOLATION preamble in all agent prompts
• Discussion phase MUST directly reference others' points (mandatory citations)
• Synthesis should acknowledge disagreements, not force consensus
• Include actionable next steps in final output
• Recommend decision frameworks, not decisions
• Max 2 discussion rounds (Phase 2 + Phase 2b) - no infinite loops

Model Configuration

Decision: Use model: haiku for all agent Task calls.

Rationale:

• Cost efficiency (agent files specify haiku)
• Sufficient for structured debate format

Override: For complex topics requiring deeper analysis, orchestrator may use model: sonnet for Phase 3 synthesis only.

Execution

• Use Task tool for parallel execution (faster)
• Feedback loop only triggered when agents diverge

Output Template

## Debate: {topic}

### Phase 1: Individual Perspectives

**Researcher**: {summary}
**Critic**: {summary}
**Synthesizer**: {summary}

### Phase 2: Discussion

{key exchanges and refinements}

### Convergence Status

**Rounds**: {1 or 2}
**Status**: {Converged | Partially Converged | Divergent}
**Key Agreement**: {what agents aligned on}
**Remaining Tension**: {what still differs}

### Phase 3: Final Synthesis

**Consensus**: {what all agree on}
**Tensions**: {unresolved disagreements}
**Decision Framework**: {how to decide, not what to decide}

### Next Steps
- {action item 1}
- {action item 2}