hammer-anvil

Separate exploration from implementation with a two-pass software engineering workflow.

1|Updated Apr 21, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/BenchAGI/bench-cowork --skill hammer-anvil
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: hammer-anvil
Source: https://github.com/BenchAGI/bench-cowork/tree/main/skills/hammer-anvil
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/BenchAGI/bench-cowork --skill hammer-anvil

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Large, ambiguous tasks are risky to implement in a single pass. Hammer-Anvil provides a two-pass workflow that first explores surfaces, risks, and a high-level plan (Hammer), then implements a bounded patch with verification (Anvil), reducing blast radius and rework.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Dual-pass workflow: Hammer explores surfaces and risks; Anvil narrows to a smallest safe patch.
  • Structured outputs: Produce surfaces, blast radius, risks, and a concrete Plan with steps; generate a minimal diff for review.
  • Use Case: Ideal for cross-package refactors, migrations, security-sensitive changes, or architecture-level changes across multiple components.

Quick Start

Describe a large, ambiguous task and let Hammer-Anvil generate a surfaces list, risk assessment, and a minimal patch plan.

Frequently Asked Questions about hammer-anvil

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I reduce risk when refactoring code across multiple packages?

To reduce risk in cross-package refactoring, use a two-pass workflow that separates surface and risk exploration from implementation. This approach enforces a formal output structure with explicit guardrails, producing a minimal diff for review to reduce blast radius and rework.

What is a two-pass code review workflow for complex changes?

A two-pass code review workflow separates exploration from implementation. The first pass explores surfaces, blast radius, and risks to form a high-level plan, while the second pass narrows the scope to a smallest safe patch with verification, improving safety and predictability.

How do I plan architecture-level changes with high ambiguity?

You can plan architecture-level changes by first generating a surfaces list and risk assessment, then creating a concrete plan with bounded steps. This method validates the blast radius before implementation, ensuring predictable and safe architecture modifications.

Does this dual-pass workflow work for security-sensitive code migrations?

Yes, the dual-pass workflow is ideal for security-sensitive code migrations. It explicitly maps out blast radius and risks during the exploration pass, then generates a minimal diff with validation guardrails during the implementation pass to ensure safe changes.

What's the best way to generate a minimal diff for safe code changes?

The best way to generate a minimal diff is to enforce a structured two-pass process. By validating risks and surfaces first, the implementation pass can narrow the patch to the smallest safe change required, providing a clear review path and reducing rework.

When should I not use a single-pass approach for software engineering tasks?

You should avoid a single-pass approach for large, ambiguous, or cross-package tasks. Single-pass implementation lacks formal risk-management and surface exploration, increasing blast radius and rework; a two-pass workflow provides necessary guardrails for these complex changes.