Use when: User wants to run Archon workflows, CREATE workflows or commands,
set up Archon, or manage Archon configuration.
Triggers (run): "use archon to", "run archon", "archon workflow", "use archon for",
"have archon", "let archon", "ask archon to".
Triggers (create): "create a workflow", "write a workflow", "make a command",
"author a workflow", "new workflow", "new command", "archon workflow yaml".
Triggers (setup): "set up archon", "install archon", "how to use archon",
"configure archon", "archon setup", "get started with archon".
Triggers (config): "change my archon config", "modify archon config", "archon config",
"change archon settings", "update my config", "help me change my config",
"edit archon config", "archon configuration".
Triggers (init): "initialize archon", "set up .archon", "archon init", "add archon to repo".
Capability: Runs AI workflows in isolated git worktrees for parallel development.
Also: Creates and manages workflow YAML files, c
Use when: User wants to run Archon workflows, CREATE workflows or commands,
set up Archon, or manage Archon configuration.
Triggers (run): "use archon to", "run archon", "archon workflow", "use archon for",
"have archon", "let archon", "ask archon to".
Triggers (create): "create a workflow", "write a workflow", "make a command",
"author a workflow", "new workflow", "new command", "archon workflow yaml".
Triggers (setup): "set up archon", "install archon", "how to use archon",
"configure archon", "archon setup", "get started with archon".
Triggers (config): "change my archon config", "modify archon config", "archon config",
"change archon settings", "update my config", "help me change my config",
"edit archon config", "archon configuration".
Triggers (init): "initialize archon", "set up .archon", "archon init", "add archon to repo".
Capability: Runs AI workflows in isolated git worktrees for parallel development.
Also: Creates and manages workflow YAML files, command files, and configuration.
NOT for: Direct Claude Code work - only for delegating to Archon CLI.
argument-hint
[workflow] [message or issue number]
Archon CLI Skill
Archon is a remote agentic coding platform that runs AI workflows in isolated git worktrees. This skill teaches you how to run workflows, create new workflows and commands, and manage Archon configuration.
Available Workflows (live)
!archon workflow list 2>&1 || echo "Archon CLI not installed. Read guides/setup.md to set it up."
Routing
Determine the user's intent and dispatch to the appropriate guide:
Intent
Action
Setup / install / "how to use"
Read guides/setup.md — interactive setup wizard
Config / settings
Read guides/config.md — interactive config editor
Initialize .archon/ in a repo
Read references/repo-init.md
Create a workflow
Read references/workflow-dag.md — the complete workflow authoring guide
If the intent is ambiguous, ask the user to clarify.
Running Workflows
Core Command
archon workflow run <workflow-name> --branch <branch-name> "<message>"
CRITICAL RULES:
Always run in background — Archon workflows are long-running. Always invoke the Bash tool with run_in_background: true. Use /tasks or the TaskOutput tool to check on progress.
Always use worktree isolation — Use the --branch flag unless the user explicitly requests otherwise. This creates an isolated environment so Archon works without affecting the main branch.
One workflow per shell — Each workflow blocks its shell. Run multiple workflows as separate background tasks.
Isolation Modes
Mode
Flag
When to Use
Worktree (Default)
--branch <name>
Always use this unless told otherwise
Custom start-point
--branch <name> --from <base>
Start from a specific branch
Direct checkout
--no-worktree
Only if user explicitly requests no isolation
Resume failed run
--resume
Resume from the last failure point
Workflow Selection
Match the user's intent to a workflow from the live list above. Common patterns:
User Intent
Typical Workflow
Branch Pattern
"Fix issue #X" / "Resolve bug"
archon-fix-github-issue
fix/issue-{N}
"Review PR #X" / "Full review"
archon-comprehensive-pr-review
review/pr-{N}
"Quick review PR #X"
archon-smart-pr-review
review/pr-{N}
"Validate PR #X" / "Check PR"
archon-validate-pr
review/pr-{N}
"Implement from plan"
archon-feature-development
feat/{name}
"Plan and implement feature"
archon-idea-to-pr
feat/{name}
"Execute plan file"
archon-plan-to-pr
feat/{name}
"Run ralph" / "Implement PRD"
archon-ralph-dag
feat/{name}
"Resolve conflicts"
archon-resolve-conflicts
resolve/pr-{N}
"Create issue" / "File a bug"
archon-create-issue
issue/{name}
"Review issue #X fully"
archon-issue-review-full
review/issue-{N}
"Refactor safely"
archon-refactor-safely
refactor/{name}
"Architecture review"
archon-architect
review/{name}
"PIV loop" / "guided dev"
archon-piv-loop ⚡
piv/{name}
"Create a PRD" / "interactive PRD"
archon-interactive-prd ⚡
prd/{name}
General / debugging
archon-assist
assist/{description}
⚡ = Interactive workflow — requires the transparent relay protocol. Read references/interactive-workflows.md before running.
If no specific workflow matches, use archon-assist as the fallback. The live workflow list above is always authoritative — it may include workflows not in this table.
Multi-Issue Invocation
When the user mentions multiple issues, PRs, or tasks — run each as a separate background task:
# Each gets its own worktree — they won't conflict
archon workflow run archon-fix-github-issue --branch fix/issue-10 "Fix issue #10"
archon workflow run archon-fix-github-issue --branch fix/issue-11 "Fix issue #11"
archon workflow run archon-fix-github-issue --branch fix/issue-12 "Fix issue #12"
Never combine multiple issues into a single command.
Other CLI Commands
archon workflow list # List all available workflows
archon workflow list --json # Machine-readable JSON
archon isolation list # Show active worktree environments
archon isolation cleanup # Remove stale worktrees (default: 7 days)
archon isolation cleanup --merged # Remove branches merged into main
archon complete <branch> # Complete branch lifecycle (remove worktree + branches)
archon version # Show version info
For the full CLI reference with all flags: Read references/cli-commands.md
Authoring Quick Start
Archon uses a single workflow format: nodes (DAG). Workflows are YAML files in .archon/workflows/.
IMPORTANT: The examples below are starting points. Always design the workflow around what the user actually needs — the number of nodes, their types, dependencies, and configuration should match the user's requirements, not these templates.
Workflow Structure
name:my-workflowdescription:Whatthisworkflowdoesprovider:claude# Optional: 'claude' or 'codex'model:sonnet# Optional: model overridenodes:-id:first-nodecommand:my-command# Loads .archon/commands/my-command.md-id:second-nodeprompt:"Use the output: $first-node.output"depends_on: [first-node]
Four Node Types
Each node has exactly ONE of: command, prompt, bash, or loop.
Command node — runs a .archon/commands/*.md file:
-id:investigatecommand:investigate-issue
Prompt node — inline AI prompt:
-id:classifyprompt:"Classify this issue: $ARGUMENTS"model:haikuallowed_tools: []
Bash node — shell script, no AI, stdout captured as output:
-id:implementloop:prompt:"Implement next story. When done: <promise>COMPLETE</promise>"until:COMPLETEmax_iterations:10fresh_context:trueuntil_bash:"bun run test"# Optional: exit 0 = done
For the full authoring guide with all fields, conditions, trigger rules, and patterns: Read references/workflow-dag.md
Creating a Command File
Commands are .md files in .archon/commands/ containing AI prompt templates:
---
description: What this command does
argument-hint: <expectedarguments>
---# My Command
User request: $ARGUMENTS
Workflow artifacts: $ARTIFACTS_DIR
[Instructions for the AI agent]
For the full command authoring guide: Read references/authoring-commands.md
Key Variables
Variable
Description
$ARGUMENTS
User's input message
$ARTIFACTS_DIR
Pre-created directory for workflow artifacts
$BASE_BRANCH
Base branch (auto-detected from git)
$WORKFLOW_ID
Unique workflow run ID
$nodeId.output
Output from upstream node
Full variable reference: Read references/variables.md
Advanced Features (Command/Prompt Nodes, Claude Only)