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sysadmin d1d2bc2505 docs: add portable llm-project-workflow skill + templates (#46)
Extract the project's operating rules into a reusable, project-agnostic skill
so any repo can adopt the same safe LLM workflow.

- skills/llm-project-workflow/SKILL.md: issue-first; isolated branch worktrees
  (main checkout = orchestration only); distinct author/reviewer identities and
  profile safety (secrets by reference only; stop if authenticated user == PR
  author); branch naming; start/review/merge/cleanup workflows; fail-closed
  cases; recovery patterns; and an "Adapting to a project" table for the
  forge-specific names.
- templates/: copy/paste prompts for start-issue, review-pr, merge-pr,
  recover-bad-state, worktree-cleanup.
- Link the skill from README.md and docs/llm-workflow-runbooks.md (the runbook
  is framed as the Gitea-specific application of the portable skill).

Docs-only; no code, no secrets, safe placeholder examples only. No change to
MCP runtime, Gitea API, credential storage, or worktree helpers.

Checks: full suite 287 passed / 0 failures; git diff --check clean; secret scan
of skills/ clean.

Closes #46. Refs #38, #39.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-07-02 03:26:25 -04:00
8 changed files with 343 additions and 0 deletions
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@@ -186,6 +186,10 @@ Notes:
[`docs/llm-workflow-runbooks.md`](docs/llm-workflow-runbooks.md) for the
task-scoped, profile-based runbooks (create/review/merge/close, thin
launchers, migration, fail-closed rules).
- For the **portable** version of this workflow (issue-first, isolated
worktrees, no self-review/merge, profile safety, cleanup, fail-closed) that
can be copied into any project, see the reusable skill
[`skills/llm-project-workflow/SKILL.md`](skills/llm-project-workflow/SKILL.md).
- **Audit logging (#18):** mutating actions emit a durable, redacted JSON audit
record — timestamp, action, result (`allowed`/`blocked`/`failed`/`succeeded`),
profile name + audit label, authenticated username, target repo/issue/PR,
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@@ -7,6 +7,12 @@ package of the MCP Control Plane: creating issues, implementing them, opening
and reviewing pull requests, merging, and closing out — safely and
reproducibly.
> For the **project-agnostic** version of these operating rules (issue-first,
> isolated worktrees, no self-review/merge, profile safety, cleanup, fail-closed)
> that can be copied into any repository, see the reusable skill
> [`skills/llm-project-workflow/SKILL.md`](../skills/llm-project-workflow/SKILL.md)
> and its `templates/`. This runbook is the Gitea-specific application of it.
These runbooks are **operational guidance only**. They add no tooling; the
behavior they rely on already exists (canonical runtime profiles, the
interactive setup menu, identity/eligibility checks, gated review/merge, and
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@@ -0,0 +1,190 @@
---
name: llm-project-workflow
description: >-
Portable, safe operating workflow for LLMs working on any Git/forge project:
issue-first, isolated branch worktrees, no self-review/self-merge, distinct
author/reviewer profiles, cleanup after merge, and fail-closed behavior.
Use at the start of any implementation, review, or merge task on a repo.
---
# LLM Project Workflow
A reusable workflow any LLM can follow to work on any repository safely. Copy
this `skills/llm-project-workflow/` directory into another project unchanged;
adapt only the forge-specific names in [Adapting to a project](#adapting-to-a-project).
The core promise: **an LLM never does unsafe or untracked work.** Every change
is tracked by an issue, isolated in its own worktree, reviewed by a different
identity, and cleaned up only after a real merge.
---
## A. Issue-first rule
**No repository change without a tracking issue.** This includes creating,
editing, deleting, or `chmod`-ing files; docs; scripts; commits; pushes; and PRs.
1. Before any change, confirm a tracking issue exists.
2. If none exists, create one first (title + problem + scope + acceptance).
3. Claim it (assign yourself or apply the `status:in-progress` label) and comment
that work is starting, including the planned branch name.
4. **If the issue cannot be created or claimed, stop.** Do not touch files.
Reading the repo, running read-only status/`git log`, and creating/claiming the
issue itself are allowed from the orchestration checkout without a prior issue.
## B. Isolated worktree rule
**Never implement or review in the main checkout.** The main checkout is for
orchestration and status only (issue creation, `git status`, creating worktrees).
- Each issue gets its own branch worktree under an ignored `branches/` directory.
- Review work uses a **separate** review worktree, never the author's folder.
- Dirty work in one branch folder must not block starting another issue.
- No LLM may edit another issue's worktree unless explicitly assigned to it.
- Branch folders are removed only after the PR is merged/closed **and** cleanup
is explicitly part of the task.
Preferred helpers (if present in the project):
```bash
scripts/worktree-start fix/issue-123-example # → branches/fix-issue-123-example
scripts/worktree-review fix/issue-123-example # → branches/review-fix-issue-123-example (detached)
scripts/worktree-clean --delete-branch fix/issue-123-example
```
Manual equivalent:
```bash
git fetch <remote> --prune
git worktree add -b fix/issue-123-example branches/fix-issue-123-example <remote>/master
cd branches/fix-issue-123-example
```
`venv/` and similar are not copied into new worktrees — run checks with a known
interpreter path, or create a venv inside the branch folder.
## C. Identity and profile safety
- Use canonical execution profiles where available; the profile is the role, not
the LLM. A task selects a profile; a profile is not permanently assigned.
- **Author and reviewer identities must be distinct.**
- Never place raw tokens/passwords in an LLM/MCP client config. Reference secrets
by keychain id or environment variable name only. Prefer a single canonical
config file selected by two env vars, e.g.:
- `GITEA_MCP_CONFIG` — path to the canonical profiles file
- `GITEA_MCP_PROFILE` — the profile to activate
- **If the authenticated user equals the PR author, stop** — no self-review, no
self-merge.
## D. Branch naming
```text
fix/issue-123-short-description
feat/issue-123-short-description
docs/issue-123-short-description
review/pr-456-scope-check
```
Worktree folder = branch with `/` replaced by `-`
(`branches/fix-issue-123-short-description`).
## E. Start-work workflow
1. Verify the orchestration checkout (right repo, clean tree).
2. Fetch/prune: `git fetch <remote> --prune`.
3. Confirm local `master` equals remote `master` (`git rev-list --left-right --count <remote>/master...master``0 0`).
4. Create/claim the issue (§A).
5. Create the isolated worktree (§B) from latest remote `master`.
6. Implement the narrow scope only — no unrelated refactors or formatting churn.
7. Add/update focused tests when behavior changes.
8. Run the checks (tests, compile/lint, `git diff --check`, secret scan).
9. Commit with an issue-linked message.
10. Push the branch.
11. Open a PR to `master`.
12. **If you are the author, stop before review/merge.**
## F. Review workflow
1. Use a separate review worktree (`scripts/worktree-review <branch>`), detached.
2. Verify your authenticated identity.
3. Verify the PR author — **you must not be the author.**
4. Verify the worktree is clean.
5. Inspect the full diff; confirm scope matches the linked issue; flag unrelated files.
6. Run the tests.
7. **Do not merge if checks fail. Do not merge if the reviewer is the author.**
## G. Merge / cleanup workflow
Only an eligible (non-author) reviewer merges. After a real merge:
1. Confirm remote `master` actually contains the merge commit.
2. Close/release the issue; remove `status:in-progress` if used.
3. Delete the remote branch.
4. Remove the local branch.
5. Remove the branch worktree folder (`scripts/worktree-clean --delete-branch <branch>`).
6. Fetch/prune.
7. Confirm the main checkout is clean and current (`0 0` vs remote).
Never run cleanup before the merge is confirmed on remote `master`.
## H. Fail-closed cases
**Stop and report — take no mutating action — if:**
- No issue exists and one cannot be created.
- Worktree state is unclear or unexpected.
- Branch/PR state conflicts with the prompt (e.g. prompt says "merged" but it is not).
- A PR is closed but not merged.
- Local `master` is ahead of remote unexpectedly.
- The authenticated user is the PR author (for review/merge).
- Secrets/tokens appear in the diff.
- Tests fail.
- A cleanup step would delete unmerged work.
When in doubt, stop and surface the discrepancy; do not guess or work around a gate.
## I. Recovery patterns
- **Dirty worktree from another issue:** do not touch it. Start your issue in its
own new worktree; unrelated dirty work must not block you.
- **Local `master` ahead of remote unexpectedly:** do not push `master`. Confirm
the commits are preserved on a feature branch (local + remote) first, then
`git reset --hard <remote>/master` to realign. Never discard commits that are
not safely pushed elsewhere.
- **PR closed but not merged:** the work is not in mainline. Re-push the branch,
reopen (or open a replacement) PR, and let an eligible reviewer merge. Do not
assume "closed" means "merged" — verify remote `master` contains the commits.
- **Branch deleted before merge:** if the commits still exist locally (a branch or
reflog), re-push them and reopen the PR; otherwise recover via
`git fsck --lost-found`. Preserve first, then proceed.
- **Unauthorized/untracked file created:** do not commit it. Leave pre-existing
untracked artifacts (e.g. editor/agent dirs, reports) alone; stage only the
files your issue names (`git add <files>`, never blind `git add -A`).
- **Preserve commits before a reset:** confirm the target commits are reachable
from a branch that is pushed to the remote, then reset. Verify with
`git branch --contains <sha>` and `git log <remote>/<branch>`.
## J. Prompt snippets
Ready-to-copy templates live in [`templates/`](templates/):
- [`start-issue.md`](templates/start-issue.md) — start a new issue.
- [`review-pr.md`](templates/review-pr.md) — review a PR.
- [`merge-pr.md`](templates/merge-pr.md) — merge a PR (eligible reviewer only).
- [`recover-bad-state.md`](templates/recover-bad-state.md) — recover from bad state.
- [`worktree-cleanup.md`](templates/worktree-cleanup.md) — clean up after merge.
## Adapting to a project
Replace these project-specific names when copying the skill elsewhere:
| Placeholder | Meaning | Example here |
|-------------|---------|--------------|
| `<remote>` | Git remote for the forge | `prgs` |
| default branch | Integration branch | `master` |
| profile env vars | Canonical config + profile selectors | `GITEA_MCP_CONFIG`, `GITEA_MCP_PROFILE` |
| `branches/` | Ignored worktree directory | `branches/` |
| helper scripts | Worktree helpers | `scripts/worktree-start` / `-review` / `-clean` |
The rules in §A–§I are project-agnostic and should not change.
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
# Template: merge a PR (eligible reviewer only)
Copy, fill the `<...>` fields, and paste as the task prompt.
```text
Task: merge PR #<pr> for issue #<n> if it is eligible and checks pass.
Rules (llm-project-workflow):
- Only an eligible, NON-author reviewer merges. If authenticated user == PR
author → STOP.
- Do not merge unless the PR is open, mergeable, and its checks/review pass.
- No force-merge, no bypassing branch protections.
Steps:
1. Verify authenticated identity + active profile.
2. Confirm PR #<pr>: author (not you), state open, mergeable, review approved.
3. If any gate fails → STOP and report.
4. Merge with explicit confirmation (e.g. confirmation="MERGE PR <pr>"),
optionally pinning the reviewed head SHA / changed-file set.
5. Confirm remote master now contains the merge commit.
Then run the cleanup template (worktree-cleanup.md):
- close/release issue #<n>, remove status:in-progress
- delete remote branch, remove local branch + worktree folder
- fetch/prune; confirm main checkout is clean and current (0 0).
Handoff: reviewer identity, merge result + commit, cleanup done, issue closed.
```
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
# Template: recover from bad state
Copy, fill the `<...>` fields, paste as the task prompt. Recovery is read-then-
act: gather facts first, never discard unmerged work.
```text
Task: recover repo state for <situation>. Do not lose unmerged work.
Rules (llm-project-workflow):
- Fail closed: if state is unclear or a step would delete unmerged work, STOP.
- Never push master. Never discard commits not safely pushed to <remote>.
Diagnose first:
1. git fetch <remote> --prune
2. git status --short; git worktree list
3. git rev-list --left-right --count <remote>/master...master # ahead/behind
4. For any PR involved: confirm state (open/closed/merged) AND whether
<remote>/master actually contains its commits ("closed" != "merged").
Act per case:
- Dirty worktree from another issue: leave it; start yours in a new worktree.
- Local master ahead of remote: confirm the extra commits live on a branch
pushed to <remote>, THEN git reset --hard <remote>/master. Verify with
`git branch --contains <sha>` first.
- PR closed but not merged: re-push the branch, reopen/replace the PR, let an
eligible reviewer merge. Do not merge your own.
- Branch deleted before merge: recover commits from a local branch/reflog (or
git fsck --lost-found), re-push, reopen the PR.
- Unauthorized untracked file: do not commit it; leave pre-existing artifacts.
Handoff: what was wrong, evidence, action taken, current state, what remains.
```
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
# Template: review a PR
Copy, fill the `<...>` fields, and paste as the task prompt.
```text
Task: review PR #<pr> for issue #<n>.
Rules (llm-project-workflow):
- Review in a SEPARATE detached review worktree, never the author's folder.
- You must NOT be the PR author. If the authenticated user == PR author, stop.
- Do not merge if any check fails.
Steps:
1. Verify your authenticated identity (whoami) and the active profile.
2. Fetch the PR facts: PR author, head SHA, state (must be open), base branch.
3. If authenticated user == PR author → STOP (no self-review).
4. scripts/worktree-review <pr-head-branch> # detached, branches/review-*
cd branches/review-<pr-head-branch-slug>
5. Confirm the worktree is clean. Inspect the FULL diff; confirm scope matches
issue #<n>; flag any unrelated files, secrets, or formatting churn.
6. Run the test suite; note results.
7. Post the review verdict: approve only if scope is clean and checks pass;
otherwise request changes with specifics. Never merge from this review step.
Handoff: reviewer identity, PR author, scope verdict, checks + results, decision.
```
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
# Template: start a new issue
Copy, fill the `<...>` fields, and paste as the task prompt.
```text
Task: implement <issue title / one-line goal>.
Rules (llm-project-workflow):
- No repo changes without a tracking issue. If none exists, create one first;
if it can't be created, stop.
- Work only in an isolated branch worktree under branches/. The main checkout
is orchestration/status only.
- Do not self-review or self-merge.
Steps:
1. Verify the orchestration checkout is the right repo and clean.
2. git fetch <remote> --prune; confirm local master == <remote>/master (0 0).
3. Create the issue "<title>" (problem, scope, acceptance) and claim it
(status:in-progress + a "starting work" comment naming the branch).
4. scripts/worktree-start <type>/issue-<n>-<slug> # type = fix|feat|docs
cd branches/<type>-issue-<n>-<slug>
5. Implement the narrow scope only; add/update focused tests if behavior changes.
6. Checks: run the test suite, compile/lint changed files, git diff --check,
and scan the diff for secrets.
7. Commit (issue-linked message), push the branch, open a PR to master.
8. Stop before review/merge — you are the author.
Handoff: issue #, branch, worktree path, files changed, checks + results, PR URL.
```
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
# Template: clean up after merge
Copy, fill the `<...>` fields, and paste as the task prompt. Only run AFTER a
real merge is confirmed on remote master.
```text
Task: clean up branch/worktree for PR #<pr> / issue #<n> after merge.
Rules (llm-project-workflow):
- Do NOT clean up until the merge is confirmed on <remote>/master.
- Cleanup would-delete-unmerged-work → STOP. Never --force-remove a dirty tree.
Steps:
1. git fetch <remote> --prune
2. Confirm <remote>/master contains the merge of PR #<pr>
(git log <remote>/master | grep the merge, or git branch -r --contains <sha>).
If not merged → STOP; run the recovery template instead.
3. Close issue #<n> if not auto-closed; remove the status:in-progress label.
4. scripts/worktree-clean --delete-branch <type>/issue-<n>-<slug>
(removes branches/<type>-issue-<n>-<slug>; refuses if dirty; git branch -d is
safe-delete only — fails on unmerged.)
5. Delete the remote branch if the merge did not already remove it.
6. From the main checkout: git fetch <remote> --prune; git checkout master;
git reset --hard <remote>/master ONLY if local master safely matches remote.
7. Confirm main checkout clean and current (git status; 0 0 vs <remote>/master).
Handoff: merge confirmed, issue closed, branch+worktree removed, checkout clean.
```