/orchestrate -- Multi-sprint orchestration

SkillDev tools

Multi-sprint orchestration — view dependency graph, dispatch next ready sprint

Available today. Use it from your connected AI after setup.

Connect ahel once, and every AI you use reads what you have installed.

Then ask your AI: use the /orchestrate -- Multi-sprint orchestration skill

What this skill tells your AI

The instructions your AI receives, as published by grainulation/grainulator in skills/orchestrate/SKILL.md and read by ahel’s review.

View the sprint dependency graph, check sprint states, and dispatch the next ready sprint for execution.

Arguments

$ARGUMENTS

Instructions

Step 1: Locate orchard.json

Search for orchard.json in these locations (in order):

  1. Project root (current working directory)
  2. .grainulator/ subdirectory

Use Glob to find it:

**/orchard.json

If found, read it and resolve its absolute parent directory as <config-parent>. Run every subsequent orchestration CLI call with its working directory set to <config-parent>, including when the file is under .grainulator/. The CLI searches the working directory and ancestors, not child directories; --root is not a directory override for plan or next. Sprint paths in the configuration are relative to this parent directory.

Preserve the caller’s working directory outside these scoped commands. For a shell-only host, use a subshell with a safely quoted cd; a command tool’s working-directory parameter is preferable. Then proceed to Step 2.

If NOT found, skip to Step 5.

Step 2: Show the dependency graph

Run with working directory <config-parent>:

grainulator orchestrate plan --format ascii

This prints the full sprint dependency graph with status indicators. Display the output as-is -- it already includes status markers (done, active, blocked, ready).

If the user passed arguments like --mermaid or --format mermaid, forward them:

grainulator orchestrate plan --mermaid

Step 3: Get next ready sprints

Run with working directory <config-parent>:

grainulator orchestrate next --json

This returns a JSON array of sprints whose dependencies are satisfied and are ready for execution. Parse the output.

If the command fails (e.g., all sprints are done or blocked), note that in the summary.

Step 4: Display actionable commands

For each ready sprint from Step 3, format it as a concrete command the user can run:

Ready sprints:
  /research "Sprint question here"   -- path: .grainulator/sprints/sprint-slug
  /research "Another question"       -- path: .grainulator/sprints/other-slug

Then print a summary:

Orchestration: <total> sprints, <done> done, <active> active, <ready> ready, <blocked> blocked

Auto

- <authorized next action>

Manual

- <action requiring the user, or None.>

If no sprints are ready but some are blocked, explain which dependencies need to complete first.

If all sprints are done, congratulate and suggest:

All sprints complete.

Auto

- <authorized next action>

Manual

- <action requiring the user, or None.>

Step 5: No orchard.json found

If no orchard.json was found in Step 1, explain how to create one:

No orchard.json found. Grainulator coordinates multi-sprint research with dependency tracking.

To get started, run:

  grainulator orchestrate init --root <intended-config-parent>

Or create orchard.json manually:

  {
    "sprints": [
      {
        "path": "./.grainulator/sprints/step-1-research",
        "question": "What are the key findings on topic X?",
        "depends_on": [],
        "assigned_to": "claude",
        "status": "ready"
      },
      {
        "path": "./.grainulator/sprints/step-2-validate",
        "question": "Do the findings from step 1 hold up?",
        "depends_on": ["./.grainulator/sprints/step-1-research"],
        "assigned_to": "claude",
        "status": "blocked"
      }
    ],
    "settings": {
      "sync_interval": "manual"
    }
  }

Auto

- <authorized next action>

Manual

- <action requiring the user, or None.>

Rules

  • Always run plan before next so the user sees the full graph context.
  • Do NOT modify orchard.json -- this skill is read-only. Use grainulator orchestrate sync or manual edits to change state.
  • Forward any extra arguments the user provides (e.g., --mermaid, --verbose) to the underlying orchestration commands.
  • If grainulator orchestrate fails with a module-not-found error, suggest: grainulator doctor and use the local checkout CLI.

Host access

Use available grainulator MCP tools, passing the active sprint dir explicitly for evidence operations. If a tool is unavailable, use the local grainulator CLI (or node <checkout>/bin/grainulator.js). Read sibling skill files directly when slash commands are unavailable. Resolve template paths relative to this skill’s checkout when CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT is unset. Optional external connectors are not required for local work; use local code, supplied documents, or available web tools. Do not write managed ledger files directly to bypass a missing MCP connection.

Next-step output

After a meaningful pass, use the current compiler's next_actions to present exactly two bullet lists labeled Auto and Manual. Auto is work the agent can continue under existing authorization. Manual is only work requiring the user's decision, access, or action. Classify using the current request and constraints; compiler suggestions never grant permission. Continue authorized Auto work without asking again.

Keep 2–3 useful actions total when available, use short concrete labels and commands where useful, and show None. for an empty group. Do not invent work to fill a quota. Never omit next steps merely because compilation is ready or the answer should be brief. Refresh stale compilation first and exclude work the user removed from scope. When the user asks only for next steps, output only these two lists: no findings recap, counts, reasons, or offer to continue.

Signals

GitHub stars
86
Forks
6
Last commit
Sep 2026
Advanced
Catalog kind
skill
Gateway key
orchestrate-grainulation
Source
github.com/grainulation/grainulator