designing-syntax

Design custom operators, checkpoints, conditions, and loops for workflow syntax.

218|6|Updated Nov 8, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/mbruhler/claude-orchestration --skill designing-syntax
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: designing-syntax
Source: https://github.com/mbruhler/claude-orchestration/tree/main/skills/designing-syntax
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/mbruhler/claude-orchestration --skill designing-syntax

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Standard workflow syntax might not always capture the nuances of highly specialized or repetitive automation patterns. This skill empowers you to design and implement custom syntax elements, making your workflows more expressive, readable, and efficient for unique domain-specific needs.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Reuse-First Approach: Guides you to check existing built-in syntax, global libraries, and templates before creating new, ensuring efficiency and consistency.
  • Custom Syntax Types: Supports designing various elements like custom operators (e.g., => for merge with dedup), actions (@deep-review for sub-workflows), checkpoints (@security-gate for manual approvals), conditions, and loops.
  • Structured Design Process: Follows a clear process to verify need, propose names, define behavior, create examples, and save definitions to a reusable library.
  • Use Case: You frequently need to deploy to a canary environment, verify health, and then gradually roll out. This skill helps you design a custom operator like =>canary(percent) to abstract this complex, repetitive pattern into a single, readable syntax element.

Quick Start

I need a custom syntax to represent a "canary deployment" pattern. Guide me through designing it.

Frequently Asked Questions about designing-syntax

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I design custom syntax for repetitive workflow patterns?

Custom workflow syntax abstracts repeated automation patterns into single, readable operators and actions. Design custom syntax by first checking existing built-in syntax and templates, then propose intuitive names, define behavior with examples, and save definitions to a reusable library for consistency across orchestration scenarios.

When should I create custom operators, checkpoints, or conditions instead of using standard workflow syntax?

Create custom syntax when standard workflow language doesn't capture domain-specific patterns or when you repeatedly implement the same complex logic. Custom operators, checkpoints, and conditions make workflows more expressive and efficient for specialized automation needs that recur across multiple deployments.

What's the process for designing a custom workflow operator?

Follow a structured design process: verify the need isn't met by existing syntax, propose an intuitive operator name, define its behavior and parameters, create concrete examples showing the operator in use, document clearly, and store the definition in your reusable library for composability across workflows.

Can I design custom syntax for domain-specific workflow patterns?

Yes, the skill supports designing custom syntax elements for domain-specific patterns including operators, actions, checkpoints, conditions, and loops. This enables you to create syntax extensions tailored to unique business logic, manufacturing processes, deployment strategies, or other specialized automation scenarios.

How do I ensure custom syntax elements are reusable and maintainable?

Follow reuse-first principles: use intuitive naming conventions, document behavior clearly so other team members understand the syntax, design for composability so operators combine naturally, and keep syntax minimal to avoid complexity. Store all definitions in a centralized library for consistency.