| name | scope |
| description | Use when the user says "plan this", "decompose this task", "break this down", or wants the task file before any code changes. Writes `.hyperflow/tasks/<slug>.md` with batched sub-tasks, then **auto-chains into `/hyperflow:dispatch`** — no manual gate. |
Scope
Decompose, don't build. Read-only with respect to source code. The only writes are to .hyperflow/tasks/, .hyperflow/memory/, and .hyperflow/specs/. When the task file is ready, hand off to dispatch (auto or with a gate, depending on chain mode).
This skill exercises Layer 0 (Project Analysis) for context, Layer 6 (Project Memory) for past-learning surfacing, and Layer 7 (Task Templates) for decomposition patterns. It also inherits the triage classification from /hyperflow:spec to size each batch correctly.
Per-Step Agent Map (DOCTRINE rule 12)
Every substantive step dispatches at least one Agent.
| Step | Worker tier | Thinking tier | Notes |
|---|
| 0 — Chain mode | — | — | AskUserQuestion only (exempt) |
| 1 — Understand | — | — | AskUserQuestion if ambiguous (exempt) |
| 2 — Research | Searcher × 2 (Sonnet) parallel | Reviewer (Opus) verifies coverage | Both tiers |
| 3 — Decompose | — | Planner (Opus) produces the batch graph | Pure thinking |
| 4 — Write task file | Writer (Sonnet) emits the markdown | Reviewer (Opus) verifies the plan vs the design | Both tiers |
| 5 — Output | — | — | Print only (exempt) |
| 6 — Memory | Writer (Sonnet) appends to memory files | Reviewer (Opus) checks for duplicates / contradictions | Both tiers |
| 7 — Hand off | — | — | Skill tool invocation (exempt) |
Approval Gates
| Gate | When | Format |
|---|
| Chain mode | Step 0, only if invoked directly | AskUserQuestion — auto / manual |
| Decomposition sanity | Step 4, after writing the task file | Print the batch summary; user reads it |
Phase advance (if manual mode) | Step 7, before invoking dispatch | AskUserQuestion — continue / stop |
Flow
Step 0 — Choose chain mode (FIRST tool call · STRUCTURAL GATE)
This is a structural gate per DOCTRINE rule 8. It MUST fire every time the skill is invoked directly. "No clarifying questions" / "auto-pilot" / "always-on" / any other autonomy directive does NOT skip it. Defaulting to auto without asking is a doctrine violation.
If invoked with a chain-mode=<auto|manual> arg (from /hyperflow:spec or a prior skill), skip this step — the previous chain-starter already asked.
Otherwise, before research, ask via AskUserQuestion. Per DOCTRINE rule 8, the recommended option goes first with (Recommended):
How should I advance through the chain after this phase?
Auto (Recommended) — chain forward through scope → dispatch with no gate.
Fewer interruptions, faster end-to-end.
Manual — pause between phases and ask before advancing.
More control, more confirmations.
Wait for the user's answer. Do not proceed without it. Save the chosen mode and propagate via args: "chain-mode=<mode>" when invoking dispatch.
If the agent cannot present AskUserQuestion (e.g., headless mode), it should print an error and stop — never silently default.
Step 1 — Understand
- Ambiguous →
AskUserQuestion (max 3)
- Pure design question → suggest
/hyperflow:spec instead and stop
Step 2 — Research (parallel)
Agents — Searcher × 2 (Sonnet) ⇒ Reviewer (Opus).
- Dispatch in a single message (parallel):
Searcher — mapping affected files and existing patterns
Searcher — finding related tests and conventions
- Read
.hyperflow/profile.md, architecture.md, conventions.md, and .hyperflow/memory/index.md to surface relevant past learnings.
- Dispatch
**Reviewer** — verifying research coverage to confirm both Searchers hit the relevant subsystems. If gaps remain, redispatch a Searcher targeting the gap before moving on.
Step 3 — Decompose
Agents — Planner (Opus, thinking-tier).
Dispatch **Planner** — producing batch graph with the research findings, triage classification, and applicable templates from task-templates.md (CRUD Feature, API Endpoint, UI Component, Database Migration, Refactor, Bug Fix — else bespoke).
The Planner produces, for each sub-task:
- Worker role — Implementer / Searcher / Writer
- Files to read / modify / create
- Dependencies — parallel vs sequential
- Complexity estimate (drives review level cap downstream)
Step 4 — Write Task File
Agents — Writer (Sonnet) ⇒ Reviewer (Opus).
- Dispatch
Writer — emitting task file with the Planner's output. The Writer writes to .hyperflow/tasks/<task-slug>.md using the template below.
- Dispatch
**Reviewer** — verifying task file vs design to confirm every design requirement maps to at least one sub-task and no orphan sub-tasks exist.
Task-file template —
# Task: <Name>
## Goal
<one-line>
## Context
<background, why this matters, research findings>
## Affected files
- Read: <list>
- Modify: <list>
- Create: <list>
## Batches
### Batch 1 (parallel)
- [ ] T1: [Role] <description>
- [ ] T2: [Role] <description>
### Batch 2 (sequential — depends on Batch 1)
- [ ] T3: [Role] <description>
### Batch 3
- [ ] T4: Final integration review
## Open questions
<anything needing user input before execution>
## Verification plan
<how to test end-to-end>
## Estimated cost
- Thinking: ~N agents, ~Xk tokens
- Worker: ~N agents, ~Yk tokens
## Status
Created:
Step 5 — Output
Print the task file path and batch summary table:
Plan ready — .hyperflow/tasks/<slug>.md (3 batches, 7 sub-tasks)
Step 6 — Memory
Agents — Writer (Sonnet) ⇒ Reviewer (Opus).
- Dispatch
Writer — appending decisions to .hyperflow/memory/decisions.md. Skip trivial ones. For complex features (3+ files, multiple subsystems) the Writer also produces .hyperflow/specs/<feature-slug>.md referenced from the task file.
- Dispatch
**Reviewer** — checking memory entries to catch duplicates or contradictions with existing entries before they land in .hyperflow/memory/.
See task-tracking.md and worker-prompt.md.
Step 7 — Hand off to /hyperflow:dispatch
If chain-mode=auto — immediately invoke Skill with skill: execute and args: "chain-mode=auto <task-slug>". Print:
Auto-chaining to /hyperflow:dispatch…
If chain-mode=manual — ask via AskUserQuestion: "Plan done. Continue to /hyperflow:dispatch?" → yes / no / stop. On yes, invoke Skill with skill: execute and args: "chain-mode=manual <task-slug>".
Anti-patterns
- Writing implementation code
- Modifying source files outside
.hyperflow/ and .hyperflow/specs/
- Skipping the research step
- Single-batch plans for multi-file work
- Omitting the verification plan
- Pausing for "should I execute?" when
chain-mode=auto — that was already answered at Step 0
- Asking the chain-mode question again when a
chain-mode=<…> arg was passed in
References