Gathering Architecture

What it does

The Gathering Architecture skill assists in designing, refactoring, or analyzing architectural systems by orchestrating a sequence of specialized sub-agents. It doesn't directly design or build; instead, it manages a process involving an Eagle (for initial design), Crow (for challenge/critique), Swan (for detailed specification), and Elephant (for foundational building). Each agent operates with isolated context and a specific model to ensure focused contributions.

When to use it

This skill is useful in the following situations:

• Designing new systems or services
• Making major architectural decisions
• Refactoring core infrastructure
• Creating platforms for other features to build upon
• When a structured sequence of vision, challenge, specification, and implementation is required.

Key capabilities

• Orchestrates sub-agents: Manages the workflow of distinct agents (Eagle, Crow, Swan, Elephant).
• Isolated Context: Each agent operates with its own isolated context to avoid bias and ensure focused contributions.
• Specialized Models: Utilizes specific models ("opus" and "sonnet") for each agent's role.
• System Specification Clarification: Facilitates clarifying the problem, scale requirements, constraints, and growth trajectory of a system.
• Infrastructure Abstraction Guidance: Promotes using GroveDatabase, GroveStorage, GroveKV, GroveServiceBus (from Server SDK) and Amber SDK for portability and user file management.

Example prompts

• "Gather Architecture: I need to design a new data processing pipeline. The problem is X, scale requirements are Y, and constraints include Z."
• "Gather Architecture: Let's analyze the architecture of our existing payment system. What nature metaphor best describes it?"
• “Gather Architecture: Refactor the core authentication infrastructure.”

Tips & gotchas

• Not a Designer: This skill acts as a conductor, not a direct designer or builder. It manages a process rather than producing architectural solutions itself.
• Mandatory Skill File Reading: The Eagle agent requires access to its own skill file (eagle-architect/SKILL.md) for proper execution.
• Handoff Formats: Refer to references/conductor-dispatch.md for precise subagent prompts and handoff formats.