boil-the-ocean

Orchestrate multi-wave rewrites with parallel subagents and wave-boundary commits.

1|Updated Apr 24, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/shawnpetros/claude-skills --skill boil-the-ocean
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: boil-the-ocean
Source: https://github.com/shawnpetros/claude-skills/tree/main/boil-the-ocean
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/shawnpetros/claude-skills --skill boil-the-ocean

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Large rewrites often fail from uncontrolled scope, coordination drift, and context overload, causing broken integrations, missed verification, and unrepeatable outcomes.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Multi-wave orchestration with commit-per-wave discipline to keep complex changes reviewable and rollbackable.
  • Parallel subagent execution with hard concurrency caps to reduce rate-limit cascades and unstable cascaded failures.
  • Adversarial review and evidence-based retrospectives to catch integration cracks early and turn the run into a reusable methodology.

Quick Start

In your Claude Code workflow, tell the user/agent to run a multi-day rewrite using the boil-the-ocean skill only after you have a committed plan at notes/PLAN.md, an isolated worktree, and defined build/lint/test gates plus telemetry tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions about boil-the-ocean

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I orchestrate a large-scale code rewrite using parallel agents without breaking integration?

Large-scale code rewrites with parallel agents require multi-wave orchestration, worktree isolation, and commit-per-wave discipline to prevent coordination drift. Adversarial review and live-test gates catch integration cracks early, keeping complex changes reviewable and rollbackable.

What is the best way to manage multi-day refactors across multiple modules?

Multi-day refactors need wave-boundary commits, parallel subagent execution with hard concurrency caps, and per-agent deliverables on disk. This prevents context overload and rate-limit cascades, turning a sprawling rebuild into a repeatable methodology.

How do I prevent parallel subagents from causing rate-limit cascades during an autonomous rewrite?

Preventing rate-limit cascades in parallel subagents requires hard concurrency caps and worktree isolation. Wave-boundary commits and live-test gates for external systems ensure verification failures are caught and contained within individual execution waves.

Can I use git worktree isolation for autonomous multi-module rebuilds?

Git worktree isolation is enforced for autonomous multi-module rebuilds to keep parallel agent changes separate. Combined with committed planning at notes/PLAN.md and defined build/lint/test gates, it ensures changes remain reviewable and rollbackable.

When should I not use parallel agents for a large software engineering rewrite?

Parallel agents for large rewrites are not suitable for tasks under two days or lacking a committed plan. You need defined build/lint/test gates, telemetry tracking, and explicitly authorized large-scope autonomous work to justify orchestration over turn-by-turn supervision.

How does adversarial review work in a multi-wave rewrite orchestration?

Adversarial review in multi-wave rewrite orchestration catches integration cracks early by evaluating per-agent deliverables at wave boundaries. It pairs with evidence-based retrospective artifacts to turn each run into a replayable, reusable methodology.