Workflow Orchestration

Knowledge base for orchestrating multi-phase workflow executions with standardized folder structures and agent delegation.

Core Concepts

This skill embodies seven key orchestration principles:

1. Planning - HOW to create execution plans with phase breakdown and artifact definition
2. Implementation - HOW to execute plans through agent delegation and artifact management
3. Executing - HOW to run pre-defined workflows using EXECUTE.md blueprints
4. Workflow to Execute - HOW to convert plain-English WORKFLOW.md into structured EXECUTE.md
5. Resuming - HOW to restart workflows from specific phases with selective regeneration
6. Delegation - HOW to maintain focused context through strategic agent handoffs
7. Artifacts - HOW to standardize outputs that flow between phases

Progressive Disclosure

A core architectural principle that emerges from delegation: pass file paths, not content. This enables agents to load context when needed, maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio. Instead of inlining everything upfront, each agent reads only the files it needs for its specific task.

Standard Execution Folder

All task/workflow executions follow this structure:

/{base-dir}/{task/workflow-name}/{YYYY-MM-DD_HH:MM}/
├── data/              # Input files (optional)
├── artifacts/         # Phase outputs
│   ├── 01-*.md
│   ├── 02a-*.md
│   ├── 02b-*.md
│   └── 03-*.md
├── PLAN.md           # Initial plan
└── RESEARCH.md/STRATEGY.md/CONTENT.md       # Final output

Where base-dir is either research, strategy or content.

See Artifacts for naming conventions and folder structure details.

Orchestration Workflows

Custom Task Execution (Planning → Implementation)

For one-off, custom tasks that require bespoke execution plans:

Planning Phase

Purpose: Create a structured execution plan

Inputs:

• Task description or workflow definition
• User requirements and context

Process: See Planning

Outputs:

• Execution folder structure
• PLAN.md with phase breakdown
• Expected artifact definitions

Implementation Phase

Purpose: Execute the plan through agent delegation

Inputs:

• PLAN.md from execution folder
• data/ (optional, created in planning phase)

Process: See Implementation

Outputs:

• Phase artifacts in execution folder
• Final RESEARCH.md/STRATEGY.md/CONTENT.md

Standardized Workflow Execution

For repeatable, standardized workflows defined by Marketing Architects:

Workflow Conversion (One-time Setup)

Purpose: Convert plain-English WORKFLOW.md into structured EXECUTE.md

Inputs:

• WORKFLOW.md from skill folder
• Understanding of agent types and capabilities

Process: See Workflow to Execute

Outputs:

• EXECUTE.md in same folder as WORKFLOW.md
• Ready for repeated execution via /execute command

Execution Phase

Purpose: Run pre-defined workflow using EXECUTE.md blueprint

Inputs:

• EXECUTE.md from skill workflow folder
• User inputs (slug, topic, context)
• data/ (optional, if EXECUTE.md specifies)

Process: See Executing

Outputs:

• Execution folder in appropriate location
• Phase artifacts
• Final RESEARCH.md/STRATEGY.md/CONTENT.md

Resumption Phase

Purpose: Restart execution from specific phase with selective regeneration

Inputs:

• Existing execution folder with PLAN.md (or EXECUTE.md)
• User specification of resume point
• Existing artifacts/ (some preserved, some regenerated)

Process: See Resuming

Outputs:

• Regenerated artifacts from resume point forward
• Preserved artifacts from before resume point
• Updated final output

Tools and Resources

Scripts

• scripts/create_execution_folder.py - Creates timestamped execution folders

Templates

• assets/PLAN_EXECUTE_template.md - Plan/Execute blueprint template