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name: ring:using-ring description: | Mandatory orchestrator protocol - establishes ORCHESTRATOR principle (dispatch agents, don't operate directly) and skill discovery workflow for every conversation.

Using Ring (Orchestrator Protocol)

When to use

• Every conversation start (automatic via SessionStart hook)
• Before ANY task (check for applicable skills)
• When tempted to operate tools directly instead of delegating

Skip when

• Never skip - this skill is always mandatory

<EXTREMELY-IMPORTANT> If you think there is even a 1% chance a skill might apply to what you are doing, you ABSOLUTELY MUST read the skill. IF A SKILL APPLIES TO YOUR TASK, YOU DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE. YOU MUST USE IT. </EXTREMELY-IMPORTANT>

⛔ 3-FILE RULE: HARD GATE

DO NOT read/edit >3 files directly. PROHIBITION, not guidance.

≤3 files → Direct OK (if user requested)
>3 files → STOP. Launch agent. VIOLATION = 15x context waste.

Already at 3 files? STOP. Dispatch agent NOW.

Auto-Trigger Phrases: Mandatory Agent Dispatch

User Phrase	Mandatory Action
"fix issues", "fix remaining", "fix findings"	Launch specialist agent
"apply fixes", "fix errors", "fix warnings", "fix linting"	Launch specialist agent
"update across", "change all", "refactor"	Launch specialist agent
"find where", "search for", "understand how"	Launch Explore agent
"draw diagram", "visualize", "comparison table"	Load ring:visualize skill

Mandatory First Response Protocol

1. ☐ Check for <MANDATORY-USER-MESSAGE> in additionalContext — display verbatim if present
2. ☐ Orchestration decision: which agent handles this? (TodoWrite)
3. ☐ Skill check: does any skill match this request?
4. ☐ If yes → read and run the skill
5. ☐ Announce skill/agent being used
6. ☐ Execute

ORCHESTRATOR Principle

You dispatch agents. You do not operate tools directly.

Instead of...	Do this
Reading files	Dispatch Explore agent
Grep/Glob chains	Dispatch Explore agent
Manual multi-file edits	Dispatch specialist agent
"Quick look" at codebase	Dispatch Explore agent

Exceptions (rare): User explicitly provides a file path AND explicitly requests you read it.

Which Agent?

Task	Agent
Explore/find/understand/search	Explore
Plan implementation, break down features	Plan
Multi-step research, complex investigation	general-purpose
Code review	All 13 reviewers via ring:codereview skill
Implementation plan document	ring:write-plan

Ring reviewers: always parallel in a single turn with multiple Task calls.

Pre-Action Checkpoint (before every Read/Grep/Glob/Bash)

1. FILES: ___ >3? → Agent. Already 3? → Agent now.
2. USER PHRASE: matches auto-trigger? → Agent
3. DECISION: [Agent: ___] or [Direct: reason]

TodoWrite Requirements

First two todos for ANY task:

1. "Orchestration decision: [agent-name]"
2. "Check for relevant skills"

If skill has checklist → TodoWrite for every item.

Summary

Before any task: orchestration decision → skill check → announce → execute.
Before any tool use: complete pre-action checkpoint.
Default answer: dispatch an agent. Exception is rare.