core-workflow
Detailed development workflow patterns, checklists, and standards. Auto-loads for complex tasks, planning, debugging, testing, or when explicit patterns are needed. Contains session protocols, git conventions, security checklists, testing strategy, and communication standards.
Best use case
core-workflow is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Detailed development workflow patterns, checklists, and standards. Auto-loads for complex tasks, planning, debugging, testing, or when explicit patterns are needed. Contains session protocols, git conventions, security checklists, testing strategy, and communication standards.
Teams using core-workflow 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
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/core-workflow/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How core-workflow Compares
| Feature / Agent | core-workflow | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Detailed development workflow patterns, checklists, and standards. Auto-loads for complex tasks, planning, debugging, testing, or when explicit patterns are needed. Contains session protocols, git conventions, security checklists, testing strategy, and communication standards.
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.
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SKILL.md Source
# Core Workflow Patterns
Comprehensive development workflow reference. This loads on-demand for detailed patterns.
**Quick links to rules:** `~/.claude/rules/` for stack-specific and task-type checklists.
---
## Session Protocol
### Start Checklist
```bash
# 1. Sync with remote (ALWAYS FIRST)
git fetch origin main && git merge origin/main --no-edit
# or: git fetch origin master && git merge origin/master --no-edit
# 2. Get context
git log -3
# 3. Check for existing work
ls tasks/*.md 2>/dev/null || echo "No active tasks"
```
**CRITICAL:** Check `<env>` section for today's date. NEVER guess dates.
### End Checklist
```bash
# 1. Verify
npm run test && npm run type-check # or project equivalent
# 2. Archive completed work
mv tasks/<completed-task>.md .archive/completed-tasks/
# 3. Commit with comprehensive message
git add .
git commit # See Git Conventions below
git push origin main
```
**Stop dev server after testing:** `lsof -ti:PORT | xargs kill` (or Windows equivalent)
---
## GSD (Get Shit Done) - Multi-Phase Projects
For complex features spanning days/weeks, use **GSD**.
### When to Use GSD
| Complexity | Use GSD? | Workflow |
| -------------------------- | -------- | --------------------- |
| Simple fix (<30 min) | No | Direct execution |
| Single feature (30min-2hr) | No | Task file + TodoWrite |
| Multi-phase feature (days) | **Yes** | GSD workflow |
| New project/app | **Yes** | GSD from start |
### GSD Quick Start
```bash
/gsd:new-project # Initialize with brief + config
/gsd:create-roadmap # Create phases and state tracking
/gsd:plan-phase 1 # Create detailed plan for phase
/gsd:execute-plan <path> # Execute the plan
```
### GSD Commands Reference
| Command | Purpose |
| ---------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `/gsd:progress` | Check status, route to next action |
| `/gsd:resume-work` | Resume from previous session |
| `/gsd:pause-work` | Create handoff when pausing |
| `/gsd:plan-phase <n>` | Create detailed phase plan |
| `/gsd:execute-plan <path>` | Execute a PLAN.md |
| `/gsd:add-phase <desc>` | Add phase to roadmap |
| `/gsd:insert-phase <after> <desc>` | Insert urgent work |
| `/gsd:complete-milestone <ver>` | Archive and tag release |
| `/gsd:help` | Full command reference |
### GSD File Structure
```
.planning/
├── PROJECT.md # Vision and requirements
├── ROADMAP.md # Phase breakdown
├── STATE.md # Project memory (context accumulation)
├── config.json # Workflow mode (interactive/yolo)
└── phases/
└── 01-foundation/
├── 01-01-PLAN.md
└── 01-01-SUMMARY.md
```
---
## Git Conventions
### Commit Types
`feat` | `fix` | `refactor` | `perf` | `test` | `docs` | `chore`
### Commit Message Format
```
type: Short summary (50 chars max)
## What Changed
- File X: Added feature Y
- File Z: Updated config for A
## Why
- User requested feature Y
- Config A needed update
## Testing
- All tests passing
- Manual verification done
```
### Auto-Commit on Task Completion
**When a task or plan is complete, automatically commit without being asked.**
#### Pre-Commit Checks
```bash
# 1. Check this is a user-owned repo (not external)
git remote get-url origin | grep -q "travisjneuman" && echo "OK: User repo"
# 2. Check push is not blocked
git remote get-url --push origin | grep -q "no_push" && echo "SKIP: External repo"
```
#### Rules
| Condition | Action |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| User's own repo | Auto-commit + push |
| External repo (`no_push`) | **Never commit** - read-only |
| Submodule (external) | **Never commit** - read-only |
| Uncommitted secrets detected | **Block** - warn user |
---
## Security Checklist
### Frontend
- [ ] `textContent` not `innerHTML`
- [ ] `unknown` type for external data
- [ ] No exposed API keys
- [ ] HTTPS for external requests
- [ ] Input sanitization
### Backend
- [ ] Input validation on all endpoints
- [ ] Auth guards on protected routes
- [ ] Parameterized queries (no raw SQL)
- [ ] Secrets in environment variables
---
## Performance Targets
| Metric | Target |
| ---------------------- | --------------- |
| Initial bundle | <100KB gzipped |
| Page load | <1s |
| Interaction latency | <100ms |
| Lighthouse Performance | 95+ |
| Accessibility | WCAG AA minimum |
---
## Accessibility (WCAG AA)
- [ ] Semantic HTML structure
- [ ] Alt text for meaningful images
- [ ] Keyboard navigation (Tab, Enter, Escape)
- [ ] Focus indicators visible
- [ ] Color contrast >= 4.5:1
- [ ] ARIA labels on interactive elements
- [ ] Touch targets >= 44x44px
---
## Testing Strategy
| Type | Location | When |
| ----------- | -------------------- | --------------- |
| Unit | `src/**/__tests__/` | Every function |
| Component | Same | Every component |
| Integration | `tests/integration/` | Critical paths |
| E2E | `tests/e2e/` | Before release |
**Before committing:** `npm run test && npm run type-check`
---
## Thinking Frameworks
Use structured decision-making for complex choices:
| Decision Type | Framework |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| Long-term implications | `/consider:10-10-10` |
| Root cause analysis | `/consider:5-whys` |
| Prioritization | `/consider:eisenhower-matrix` |
| Innovation | `/consider:first-principles` |
| Risk identification | `/consider:inversion` |
| Simplification | `/consider:occams-razor` |
| Focus | `/consider:one-thing` |
| Tradeoffs | `/consider:opportunity-cost` |
| Optimization | `/consider:pareto` |
| Consequences | `/consider:second-order` |
---
## Debugging Protocol
### Standard Issues
1. Reproduce the issue
2. Read relevant code
3. Identify root cause
4. Fix + add test
5. Verify fix
### Intermittent/Complex Issues
Use `debug-like-expert` skill for systematic approach.
---
## Build vs Buy Philosophy
**We build features. We use utilities.**
- **Build:** All feature logic, business rules, UI/UX, data models
- **Use:** Low-level abstractions (D3, Recharts, Lexical, Konva)
- **Criterion:** We own the feature, library handles complexity
### License Requirements
- **Must use:** MIT, Apache 2.0, BSD
- **Never use:** GPL, AGPL (blocks commercialization)
---
## Communication Standards
### Progress Updates
Give high-level updates, not spam:
```
✅ Added authentication middleware (3 files)
✅ Updated user store with new fields
⏳ Testing login flow...
```
### When to Ask
Use `AskUserQuestion` when:
- Requirements are ambiguous
- Multiple valid architectures exist
- Scope might expand
- Design decisions need validation
### Directness Protocol
- Logic over feelings
- Correctness over validation
- Direct feedback over diplomacy
- Best solution over agreement
---
## Context Hygiene
### Reduce Token Usage
- Short, high-signal summaries over long logs
- Don't `@`-embed large docs by default
- Reference paths + when to read them
- Use `/clear` after completing work units
### Delegation Patterns
| Situation | Action |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| Context >100k tokens | Create prompt → delegate to fresh context |
| Moderate complexity | `/create-prompt` → `/run-prompt` |
| Multi-stage features | `/create-meta-prompt` |
| Approaching limits | `/whats-next` for handoff document |
---
## Quick Reference
### Common Commands
```bash
npm run dev # Start dev server
npm run build # Production build
npm run test # Run tests
npm run type-check # TypeScript check
```
### File Naming
| Type | Convention | Example |
| ---------- | ---------- | --------------- |
| Components | PascalCase | `UserCard.tsx` |
| Hooks | use prefix | `useAuth.ts` |
| Utilities | camelCase | `utils.ts` |
| Tests | .test.ts | `utils.test.ts` |
---
## Resources
### Official
- [Claude Code Docs](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code)
- [Anthropic Best Practices](https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/claude-code-best-practices)
### Community
- [awesome-claude-code](https://github.com/hesreallyhim/awesome-claude-code)
- [awesome-claude-md](https://github.com/josix/awesome-claude-md)
---
## See Also
- `~/.claude/docs/reference/checklists/` - Task-type specific checklists
- `~/.claude/docs/reference/stacks/` - Stack-specific patterns
- `~/.claude/docs/reference/tooling/` - Tool configuration guides
- `~/.claude/skills/MASTER_INDEX.md` - Full skills catalog
- `~/.claude/agents/README.md` - Agents directoryRelated Skills
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