nw-forge

name	nw-forge
description	Creates new specialized agents using the 5-phase workflow (ANALYZE > DESIGN > CREATE > VALIDATE > REFINE). Use when building a new AI agent or validating an existing agent specification.
user-invocable	true
argument-hint	[agent-name] - Optional: --type=[specialist|reviewer|orchestrator] --pattern=[react|reflection|router]

NW-FORGE: Create Agent (V2)

Wave: CROSS_WAVE Agent: Zeus (nw-agent-builder)

Overview

Create a new agent using research-validated v2 approach: focused core (200-400 lines) with Skills for domain knowledge.

1. ANALYZE — Identify single clear responsibility, check overlap with existing agents, classify type, determine minimum tools needed. Gate: responsibility defined, no overlap, classification chosen.
2. DESIGN — Select design pattern, define role and divergent principles, plan Skills extraction, draft frontmatter. Gate: pattern selected, principles drafted, frontmatter ready.
3. CREATE — Write agent .md using template. Workflow must be numbered task list. Create Skill files if domain knowledge exceeds 50 lines. Gate: agent file written, line count under 400.
4. VALIDATE — Run 14-point validation checklist. Check for anti-patterns. Verify workflow is numbered task list, not prose. Gate: all 14 items pass, zero anti-patterns.
5. REFINE — Address validation failures. Add instructions only for observed failure modes. Re-measure and re-validate. Gate: all items pass, line count reported.

Agent Invocation

@nw-agent-builder

Execute *forge to create {agent-name} agent.

Configuration:

• agent_type: specialist | reviewer | orchestrator
• design_pattern: react | reflection | router | planning | sequential | parallel | hierarchical

Success Criteria

• Agent definition under 400 lines (wc -l)
• Official YAML frontmatter format (name, description, tools, maxTurns)
• 11-point validation checklist passes
• Only divergent behaviors specified (no Claude defaults)
• 3-5 canonical examples included
• Domain knowledge extracted to Skills if >50 lines
• No aggressive language (no CRITICAL/MANDATORY/ABSOLUTE)
• Safety via platform features (frontmatter/hooks), not prose

Next Wave

Handoff To: Agent installation and deployment Deliverables: Agent specification file + Skill files (if any)

Expected Outputs

~/.claude/agents/nw/nw-{agent-name}.md
~/.claude/skills/nw-{skill-name}/SKILL.md*.md    (if Skills needed)