gregoryho/arc-using

arc-using

Purpose

arc-using is a bounded router for ArcForge skills. It helps choose the smallest useful workflow for the current task. It is guidance, not a global law.

Use it when:

• The user asks to use ArcForge or an ArcForge skill.
• The task is an ArcForge workflow task: brainstorming, refining specs, planning, implementing epics, verifying, evaluating, or maintaining ArcForge skills.
• You are unsure which ArcForge skill should handle the next step.

Respect higher-priority instructions, explicit user constraints, and the host harness. If a workflow would add more friction than value, do not force it.

How to Access Skills

In Claude Code: Use the Skill tool. When you invoke a skill, its content is loaded and presented to you — follow it directly. Never use the Read tool on skill files.

In other environments: Use the platform's skill-loading mechanism, or read the relevant skill documentation when no tool exists.

Core Philosophy

• Skills are tools, not laws.
• Prefer the smallest useful workflow.
• File artifacts are the source of truth when the workflow creates them.
• Session context is current workflow state only; resume from files, not memory.
• Strong workflows are opt-in by task fit, not always-on behavior.

File Artifacts = Truth

SDD pipeline v2 uses per-spec layout:

• docs/plans/<spec-id>/<YYYY-MM-DD>/design.md → Design documents
• specs/<spec-id>/spec.xml + specs/<spec-id>/details/*.xml → Refined specifications
• specs/<spec-id>/dag.yaml + specs/<spec-id>/epics/ → Implementation plans
• Isolated feature work → see Worktree Rule below

Worktree Rule

ArcForge worktrees live at ~/.arcforge/worktrees/<project>-<hash>-<epic>/, computed at runtime by ${ARCFORGE_ROOT}/scripts/lib/worktree-paths.js and managed by coordinator.js.

When touching worktrees:

• Don't hardcode paths in output. Use abstract language like "the worktree" or fill paths from CLI output.
• Don't create worktrees manually. Delegate to arc-coordinating expand or arc-using-worktrees so marker schema and DAG sync stay valid.
• Enter worktrees via arcforge status --json; do not reconstruct paths from memory.
• Use direct file-editing tools only where .arcforge-epic lives. Base sessions coordinate; worktree sessions implement.

For derivation rules, marker schema, and cleanup semantics, see docs/guide/worktree-workflow.md.

Routing Flow

digraph skill_flow {
    "User message received" [shape=doublecircle];
    "ArcForge workflow task?" [shape=diamond];
    "Simple/read-only/eval/grading?" [shape=diamond];
    "Choose smallest useful skill" [shape=box];
    "Invoke/read skill" [shape=box];
    "Proceed directly" [shape=box];
    "Act with evidence" [shape=doublecircle];

    "User message received" -> "ArcForge workflow task?";
    "ArcForge workflow task?" -> "Proceed directly" [label="no"];
    "ArcForge workflow task?" -> "Simple/read-only/eval/grading?" [label="yes"];
    "Simple/read-only/eval/grading?" -> "Proceed directly" [label="yes"];
    "Simple/read-only/eval/grading?" -> "Choose smallest useful skill" [label="no"];
    "Choose smallest useful skill" -> "Invoke/read skill";
    "Invoke/read skill" -> "Act with evidence";
    "Proceed directly" -> "Act with evidence";
}

Skill Priority

When multiple skills could apply, choose the smallest useful one:

1. Clarify intent — arc-brainstorming when requirements or decisions are unclear.
2. Formalize source of truth — arc-refining when converting a design/decision log into structured specs.
3. Plan work — arc-planning when a refined spec needs an implementation DAG.
4. Execute work — arc-coordinating, arc-dispatching-teammates, arc-looping, or arc-implementing based on DAG/worktree context.
5. Cross-cutting quality — use discipline skills only when their trigger is actually present.

Examples:

• "Let's build X" → arc-brainstorming if design is unclear; arc-planning if a refined spec already exists.
• "Fix this bug" → arc-debugging if cause is unknown; arc-tdd if cause and expected behavior are clear.
• "Implement epic" → arc-planning if no specs/<spec-id>/dag.yaml; coordination/implementation skills if the DAG exists.
• "Audit this skill/workflow" → arc-evaluating when shipping/merge/completion evidence matters.

Discipline Skills — Conditional Triggers

These skills activate during a workflow when the condition is present. They are not mandatory pipeline steps for every message.

| Condition | Skill | Gate | |-----------|-------|------| | About to write implementation code | arc-tdd | Failing test before production code | | Test fails or unexpected behavior appears | arc-debugging | Root cause before fixes | | About to claim work is complete | arc-verifying | Fresh verification evidence before completion claims | | Task or feature complete | arc-requesting-review | Review before proceeding to next task | | Received code review feedback | arc-receiving-review | Technical rigor, not performative agreement | | User asks about vault health, missing links, or orphan notes | arc-maintaining-obsidian audit mode | Propose changes, never auto-modify without approval | | About to ship, merge, or mark complete a skill, agent, or workflow | arc-evaluating | Eval evidence that does not return INSUFFICIENT_DATA |

Instinct & Learning Routes

Five skills touch the diary/instinct system. Route by the concrete trigger, not by the word "remember" — they are distinct entry points, not interchangeable:

| User intent | Skill | |-------------|-------| | Capture THIS session's reflections as a diary entry | arc-journaling (/journal) | | Extract recurring patterns from 5+ accumulated diaries | arc-reflecting (/reflect) | | Manually save ONE insight as an instinct right now | arc-recalling (/recall) | | Review / confirm / contradict auto-detected instincts | arc-observing | | Review the learning-candidate queue (when optional learning is enabled) | arc-learning |

When Not to Route

Do not force an ArcForge workflow when the task is:

• A simple factual answer or direct clarification.
• Read-only inspection where no workflow decision is needed.
• Harness, eval, or grading execution that must preserve isolation.
• A single-skill eval where arc-using would contaminate the behavior under test.
• Explicitly constrained by the user to avoid workflow overhead.
• Outside ArcForge's domain.

In those cases, proceed directly, and only mention ArcForge skills if they materially help.

User Instructions

User instructions say what outcome matters. ArcForge skills can help decide how to get there, but they do not override user intent, harness constraints, or higher-priority system instructions.