The New Medium — Build Workflow

Zone 1 — Input: The Epic

01

Epic Goal

A clear, scoped objective in docs/EPICS/E##-slug/README.md. Defines what done looks like, the acceptance checklist, and dependencies.

02

Orchestration Pattern

Frontmatter selects the pattern: build · research · planning · hybrid. Determines which agents are invoked and in what sequence.

03

Context Layer

PRODUCT_SOT.md, relevant FEATURES/, CONTRACT.md files from past investigations. The agent's memory of what already exists.

Zone 2 — The Orchestration Patterns

Pattern Selection

set in epic frontmatter: orchestration_pattern: [value]

BUILD

Builder → Reviewer → Debug

The standard feature development loop. Use for new capabilities, bug fixes, implementation work.

RESEARCH

Analyst → Architect → Domain Expert

Analysis only. No code changes. Use for investigation, planning, codebase review.

PLANNING

Architect → Strategist

Design decisions and sequencing. Use for architecture decisions, migration planning, refactor scoping.

HYBRID

All agents available

Complex epics that require both deep analysis and implementation. Use when scope spans multiple domains.

Zone 3 — The Agent Loop

The Execution Loop

Orchestrator coordinates, agents execute

O

Orchestrator

Reads the epic. Selects agents. Delegates tasks. Monitors for blockers. Updates task-log.md via MCP.

B

Builder

Implements the work. Writes code, updates docs, runs tests. Calls spawn-task for emerging sub-work.

R

Reviewer

Validates output against acceptance criteria. Checks for regressions. Returns pass or specific revision requests.

D

Debug

Invoked only on failure. Isolated diagnosis. Proposes fix. Does not modify scope.

C

Capture

Logs retrospective. Creates feature doc. Updates PRODUCT_SOT. Syncs epic → feature via MCP.

Shipped code + tests

docs/FEATURES/{name}.md — capability doc

PRODUCT_SOT.md updated — living state

Epic archived — with retrospective

Zone 4 — Key MCP Touchpoints

Epic Lifecycle

run-epic · update-epic-status · get-epic · get-completion-checklist · add-retrospective · archive-epic

Task Tracking

log-execution-mode · update-task-log · spawn-task · check-epic-health

Layer Sync

create-feature · sync-epic-to-feature · sync-feature-to-plan · detect-drift