decomposition

Decompose project tasks into phased, dependency-aware subtasks for multi-agent execution.

59|12|Updated Feb 26, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/etylsarin/opencastle --skill decomposition-etylsarin
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: decomposition
Source: https://github.com/etylsarin/opencastle/tree/main/src/orchestrator/skills/decomposition
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/etylsarin/opencastle --skill decomposition-etylsarin

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Provides a repeatable, dependency-aware method to break large tasks into phased subtasks so teams and agents avoid blocked work, redundant sequencing, and unclear handoffs. It reduces coordination overhead by prescribing topological phase assignment, cycle resolution, and explicit delegation artifacts that agents can consume directly.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Dependency resolution: Use arrow notation to declare dependencies and assign tasks to execution phases with topological sorting and cycle-detection strategies.
  • Delegation spec templates: Produce structured specs for complex tasks including objective, context, constraints, acceptance criteria, expected output, and self-improvement steps.
  • Prompt quality and delegation selection: Provide examples of strong vs weak prompts and a decision flow for choosing sub-agent vs background-agent delegation.
  • Mixed orchestration patterns: Combine parallel sub-agent and background-agent phases for research, foundation work, integration, validation, and QA.
  • Use case: Project leads preparing multi-agent plans for feature development, migrations, or cross-team integrations.

Quick Start

Ask the Team Lead to decompose Implement user authentication into phased subtasks with explicit dependency arrows and produce delegation specs for any subtasks scoring above 5.

Frequently Asked Questions about decomposition

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I break down large project tasks into parallel subtasks for multi-agent execution?

Decompose large project tasks into phased, dependency-aware subtasks using topological sorting to enable deterministic parallel multi-agent execution and clear handoffs. This prevents blocked work and reduces coordination overhead by assigning tasks to explicit execution phases.

How does dependency resolution work when orchestrating multi-agent workflows?

Dependency resolution uses arrow notation to declare task dependencies and topological sorting to assign execution phases, detecting cycles and prescribing resolution strategies for deterministic multi-agent orchestration. This ensures tasks are sequenced correctly without blocked work.

What is the best way to structure delegation prompts for sub-agents?

Structure delegation prompts using spec templates that include objective, context, constraints, acceptance criteria, expected output, and self-improvement steps to ensure clear handoffs. The approach provides examples of strong versus weak prompts and a decision flow for choosing sub-agent versus background-agent delegation.

Can I use task decomposition for cross-team integration and migration planning?

Task decomposition suits project leads preparing multi-agent plans for feature development, migrations, or cross-team integrations requiring phased execution. It produces topological phase assignments, delegation spec templates, and dependency graphs directly consumable by agents for mixed orchestration patterns.

How do I handle circular dependencies when planning parallel task execution?

Cycle resolution strategies are applied during topological phase assignment to detect and break circular dependencies, ensuring deterministic parallel task execution. This prevents blocked work and redundant sequencing by prescribing explicit resolution paths within the dependency graph.