DollhouseMCP

# Workflow Element Development Plan ## Meta-Development Approach We're using DollhouseMCP agents to build the workflow element type - a powerful demonstration of the platform's capabilities building itself. ## Overview The workflow element type enables complex multi-step orchestration patterns, allowing users to define, execute, and manage workflows that coordinate multiple elements and actions. ## Architecture Design ### Core Components ```typescript interface WorkflowElement extends IElement { steps: WorkflowStep[]; triggers: WorkflowTrigger[]; state: WorkflowState; context: WorkflowContext; } interface WorkflowStep { id: string; type: 'element' | 'action' | 'condition' | 'parallel'; config: StepConfiguration; next: string[]; // Next step IDs error: string; // Error handler step ID } ``` ### Plugin Implementation The workflow element will be our first full plugin implementation: ```typescript class WorkflowPlugin implements IElementTypePlugin { type = 'workflow'; version = '1.0.0'; manager = new WorkflowManager(); tools = [ 'create_workflow', 'execute_workflow', 'list_workflows', 'get_workflow_status' ]; } ``` ## Development Phases ### Phase 1: Core Workflow Engine (Week 1) #### Step Execution - [ ] Sequential step execution - [ ] Error handling and recovery - [ ] State management - [ ] Context passing between steps #### Basic Step Types - [ ] Element activation steps - [ ] Action execution steps - [ ] Simple conditionals - [ ] Wait/delay steps ### Phase 2: Advanced Features (Week 2) #### Complex Orchestration - [ ] Parallel execution branches - [ ] Conditional branching - [ ] Loop constructs - [ ] Sub-workflow invocation #### State Management - [ ] Persistent state storage - [ ] State snapshots - [ ] Rollback capabilities - [ ] State sharing between workflows ### Phase 3: Integration (Week 3) #### Element Integration - [ ] Persona activation in workflows - [ ] Skill execution - [ ] Template rendering - [ ] Agent task assignment #### MCP Tool Integration - [ ] Tool discovery - [ ] Parameter mapping - [ ] Result handling - [ ] Error propagation ### Phase 4: Testing & Documentation (Week 4) #### Testing - [ ] Unit tests for all components - [ ] Integration tests with other elements - [ ] Performance benchmarks - [ ] Multi-platform testing #### Documentation - [ ] API documentation - [ ] Usage examples - [ ] Best practices guide - [ ] Migration guide for existing users ## Agent-Driven Development Process ### Agents Involved 1. **Alex Sterling** (Orchestrator) - Coordinates the development effort - Reviews and refines all outputs - Ensures consistency 2. **Technical Architect** (Design) - Designs workflow architecture - Plans state management - Defines integration points 3. **Code Generator** (Implementation) - Implements workflow engine - Creates step processors - Builds state management 4. **Test Writer** (Quality) - Creates comprehensive tests - Validates edge cases - Ensures reliability ### Development Workflow ```yaml Day 1: Architecture & Design Morning: - Alex coordinates design session - Architect creates specifications - Document architecture decisions Afternoon: - Begin core implementation - Create basic step processor Day 2: Implementation Morning: - Implement state management - Add error handling - Create context system Afternoon: - Add conditional logic - Implement parallel execution - Test basic workflows Day 3: Integration & Testing Morning: - Integrate with element system - Connect to MCP tools - Test complex workflows Afternoon: - Write comprehensive tests - Document API - Create examples ``` ## Technical Specifications ### Workflow Definition Language ```yaml name: deployment-workflow version: 1.0.0 description: Automated deployment pipeline triggers: - type: manual - type: schedule cron: "0 2 * * *" context: environment: production timeout: 3600 steps: - id: prepare type: action action: git_pull next: [test] - id: test type: parallel steps: - unit_tests - integration_tests next: [build] error: rollback - id: build type: action action: docker_build next: [deploy] - id: deploy type: element element: deployment-agent config: target: production next: [verify] - id: verify type: condition condition: health_check success: complete failure: rollback - id: rollback type: action action: restore_previous - id: complete type: action action: notify_success ``` ### State Management ```typescript interface WorkflowState { status: 'pending' | 'running' | 'completed' | 'failed'; currentStep: string; startTime: Date; endTime?: Date; context: Record<string, any>; history: StepExecution[]; errors: WorkflowError[]; } ``` ### Error Handling - Automatic retry with exponential backoff - Error handler steps for recovery - State rollback on critical failures - Comprehensive error logging ## Success Metrics ### Functional Requirements - [ ] Execute 10-step workflows reliably - [ ] Handle errors gracefully - [ ] Support parallel execution - [ ] Maintain state across sessions ### Performance Requirements - [ ] Step transition <100ms - [ ] Support 100+ concurrent workflows - [ ] State persistence <50ms - [ ] Memory usage <100MB per workflow ### Quality Requirements - [ ] 95%+ test coverage - [ ] Zero critical bugs - [ ] Complete documentation - [ ] 10+ example workflows ## Example Use Cases ### 1. Content Publishing Workflow ```yaml steps: - Generate content with AI - Review with editor persona - Format with template - Publish to multiple platforms - Track engagement ``` ### 2. Development Pipeline ```yaml steps: - Pull latest code - Run tests in parallel - Build if tests pass - Deploy to staging - Run integration tests - Deploy to production if approved ``` ### 3. Customer Support Workflow ```yaml steps: - Receive support ticket - Activate support persona - Analyze issue - If complex, escalate to expert agent - Generate response - Follow up after resolution ``` ## Documentation Plan ### User Documentation - Getting started with workflows - Workflow definition guide - Step type reference - Best practices ### Developer Documentation - Plugin architecture - Creating custom steps - Extending workflow engine - Integration guide ### Examples Repository - Basic workflows - Complex orchestrations - Industry-specific templates - Migration examples ## Meta-Development Benefits By using DollhouseMCP agents to build this: 1. **Proof of Concept** - Shows the platform can build itself 2. **Documentation** - Process becomes a case study 3. **Testing** - Agents test their own creation 4. **Iteration** - Rapid refinement based on usage ## Timeline - **Week 1**: Core engine and basic steps - **Week 2**: Advanced features and state management - **Week 3**: Integration and testing - **Week 4**: Documentation and examples ## Next Steps 1. Activate development agents 2. Begin architecture design session 3. Implement core workflow engine 4. Document the meta-development process 5. Create blog post about the experience --- *This plan will be executed using DollhouseMCP agents, demonstrating the platform's capability to build and extend itself.*