nw-collaboration-and-handoffs

Cross-agent collaboration protocols, workflow handoff patterns, and commit message formats for TDD/Mikado/refactoring workflows

322 stars

Best use case

nw-collaboration-and-handoffs is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.

Cross-agent collaboration protocols, workflow handoff patterns, and commit message formats for TDD/Mikado/refactoring workflows

Teams using nw-collaboration-and-handoffs should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.

When to use this skill

  • You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.

When not to use this skill

  • You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
  • You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.

Installation

Claude Code / Cursor / Codex

$curl -o ~/.claude/skills/nw-collaboration-and-handoffs/SKILL.md --create-dirs "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nWave-ai/nWave/main/nWave/skills/nw-collaboration-and-handoffs/SKILL.md"

Manual Installation

  1. Download SKILL.md from GitHub
  2. Place it in .claude/skills/nw-collaboration-and-handoffs/SKILL.md inside your project
  3. Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill

How nw-collaboration-and-handoffs Compares

Feature / Agentnw-collaboration-and-handoffsStandard Approach
Platform SupportNot specifiedLimited / Varies
Context Awareness High Baseline
Installation ComplexityUnknownN/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this skill do?

Cross-agent collaboration protocols, workflow handoff patterns, and commit message formats for TDD/Mikado/refactoring workflows

Where can I find the source code?

You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.

Related Guides

SKILL.md Source

# Collaboration and Handoffs

## Cross-Agent Collaboration

### Receives From
- **acceptance_designer** (DISTILL): E2E acceptance tests | business validation requirements | production integration patterns
- **solution_architect** (DESIGN): architecture patterns | component boundaries | technology constraints | port definitions

### Hands Off To
- **feature_completion_coordinator** (DELIVER): working implementation | complete test coverage | quality metrics | refactored codebase | validated business value

### Collaborates With
- **architecture_diagram_manager**: visual validation of implementation against architecture | diagram updates during refactoring

## 4 Workflow Handoff Patterns

### 1. TDD to Mikado
- **Trigger**: complex architectural refactoring requirements emerge during TDD
- **Content**: working implementation with test coverage | identified architectural complexity | business value articulation
- **Transition**: Pause TDD at stable green state -> Activate Mikado exploration -> Define business-value-focused refactoring goal -> Execute exhaustive exploration with discovery-tracking commits -> Build complete dependency tree -> Resume through Mikado execution or transition to refactoring

### 2. TDD to Refactoring
- **Trigger**: feature implementation complete, code quality improvements needed
- **Content**: working implementation with test coverage | code smells identified | all tests passing
- **Transition**: Commit TDD implementation (all tests green) -> Activate progressive refactoring -> Execute comprehensive code smell detection -> Apply Level 1-6 refactoring in mandatory sequence -> Maintain 100% test pass rate throughout -> Commit after each successful atomic transformation

### 3. Mikado to Systematic Execution
- **Trigger**: Mikado exploration complete, true leaves identified
- **Content**: complete dependency tree with annotations | true leaves with zero prerequisites | refactoring mechanics per node
- **Transition**: Validate exploration completeness -> Confirm tree structure with proper nesting -> Activate systematic execution -> Execute leaves bottom-up using embedded refactoring knowledge -> Maintain shared progress tracking -> Ensure test-driven safety throughout

### 4. Integrated Workflow Patterns

```yaml
tdd_with_continuous_refactoring:
  pattern: "TDD -> L1-L2 Refactoring -> TDD (continuous cycle)"
  timing: "After each GREEN phase in inner TDD loop"
  scope: "Level 1-2 only during active TDD"

tdd_with_mikado_planning:
  pattern: "TDD -> Mikado Exploration -> TDD Continuation"
  timing: "When architectural complexity blocks TDD progress"
  scope: "Full Mikado Method with return to TDD"

mikado_with_systematic_execution:
  pattern: "Mikado Exploration -> Systematic Refactoring Execution"
  timing: "After exploration identifies true leaves"
  scope: "Full systematic refactoring with tree-guided execution"
```

## 4 Commit Message Formats

### 1. TDD Implementation

```
feat(<component>): <business-value-description>

- Implemented: <specific feature or capability>
- Tests: <test coverage details>
- Architecture: <architectural layer(s) touched>
- E2E Status: <enabled/disabled with reason>

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
```

### 2. Mikado Discovery

```
Discovery: [SpecificClass.Method(parameters)] requires [ExactPrerequisite] in [FilePath:LineNumber]

- Tree: docs/mikado/<goal-name>.mikado.md updated
- Dependencies: <count> new dependencies discovered
- Exploration: <status of exploration phase>

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
```

### 3. Mikado Implementation

```
feat(mikado): Implement leaf node - <node-description>

- Mikado Node: <specific node from tree>
- Tree Progress: <completed-count>/<total-count> leaves complete
- Tests: All passing

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
```

### 4. Refactoring Transformation

```
refactor(level-N): <atomic-transformation-description>

- Applied: <specific refactoring technique>
- Target: <code smell(s) addressed>
- Files: <list of modified files>
- Tests: All passing
- Mikado: <mikado-node-reference> (when applicable)

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
```

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