> common-workflow-writing

Rules for writing concise, token-efficient workflow and skill files. Prevents over-building that requires costly optimization passes. (triggers: .agent/workflows/*.md, SKILL.md, create workflow, write workflow, new skill, new workflow)

fetch
$curl "https://skillshub.wtf/HoangNguyen0403/agent-skills-standard/common-workflow-writing?format=md"
SKILL.mdcommon-workflow-writing

Workflow Writing Standard

Priority: P0 (CRITICAL)

Core Rules

  • Templates, not examples: Workflows define structure, not pre-filled data. The agent generates data at runtime.
  • No example rows in tables: Include headers + 1 skeleton row only. Never populate with fake data.
  • No prose explanations: If a bullet or command achieves the same result, delete the paragraph.
  • No pre-answered questions: Don't document what the agent will output — let it output it.
  • Merge sequential steps: If two steps always happen together, they are one step.

Size Limits

File typeLimitIf exceeded
Workflow .md80 linesExtract detail to references/
SKILL.md100 linesExtract examples to references/
Table rows8Extract to references/
Inline code block10 linesExtract to references/

Workflow Structure (Required order)

1. Goal (1 sentence)
2. Steps (imperative verb → command or checklist)
3. Output template (headers only, no pre-filled rows)

Anti-Patterns

  • No verbose step preambles: "Before we start, it's important to understand..." → Delete
  • No pre-filled report rows: | Security | P0 | ✅ PASS | CLIENT_ID moved to env | → Delete
  • No repeated examples: Same concept shown twice in different formats → Keep one
  • No "How to do X" sections: The step IS the instruction
  • No caution blocks for obvious rules: Reserve > ⚠️ for genuinely non-obvious risks

Quick Self-Check Before Saving

  • Can the agent reconstruct any removed content at runtime from context? If yes → remove it
  • Is every table row real structure, not example data?
  • Are there any paragraphs a bullet list could replace?
  • Would cutting this in half still give the agent enough to act on?

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first seenMar 17, 2026
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┌ repo

HoangNguyen0403/agent-skills-standard
by HoangNguyen0403
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