Nexus Workflow Harness Entrypoint

VerifiedSafe

Entry point to confirm session governance, check CCB providers, and route to the canonical lifecycle or appropriate skill.

Sby Skills Guide Bot
DevelopmentBeginner
7/23/2026
Claude Code
#nexus#workflow-management#session-config#provider-detection#claude-code

Recommended for

Automated summary

Nexus is a workflow harness that detects the execution mode (governed CCB or local provider) and available providers, then routes the session into the appropriate lifecycle or support skill.

Strengths

  • Automatically detects provider availability and execution mode
  • manages session state with timeout cleanup
  • integrates with Nexus configuration system
  • provides a unified entrypoint.

Limitations

  • Only works within environments that have the Nexus skill installed
  • initial configuration may require manual setup
  • limited to predefined provider detection logic.
When to use it

Use when starting a new Claude Code session to ensure the correct provider and execution mode are selected.

When not to use it

Do not use if you are in a non-Claude Code environment or if you have a custom provider setup that is not supported by Nexus.

Security analysis

Safe
Quality score90/100

The script performs standard local file operations for session management and configuration reading, with no network access or destructive actions beyond cleaning up old session files. All binaries are from the skill's own bin directory, so risk is minimal.

No concerns found

How this analysis is made

Examples

Check Session Status
Show me the current Nexus session status and provider configuration.
Run Nexus Preamble
Run the Nexus preamble to check my execution mode.

name: nexus preamble-tier: 1 version: 1.1.0 description: | Nexus workflow harness entrypoint. Start here to confirm whether this session is using governed CCB or a local provider, see which CCB providers are mounted, and route into the canonical lifecycle or the right support skill without exposing transport details as the main user workflow. allowed-tools:

  • Bash
  • Read
  • AskUserQuestion

<!-- AUTO-GENERATED from SKILL.md.tmpl — do not edit directly --> <!-- Regenerate: bun run gen:skill-docs -->

Preamble (run first)

_UPD=$(~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-update-check 2>/dev/null || .claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-update-check 2>/dev/null || true)
[ -n "$_UPD" ] && echo "$_UPD" || true
mkdir -p ~/.nexus/sessions
touch ~/.nexus/sessions/"$PPID"
_SESSIONS=$(find ~/.nexus/sessions -mmin -120 -type f 2>/dev/null | wc -l | tr -d ' ')
find ~/.nexus/sessions -mmin +120 -type f -exec rm {} + 2>/dev/null || true
_CONTRIB=$(~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config get nexus_contributor 2>/dev/null || true)
_PROACTIVE=$(~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config get proactive 2>/dev/null || echo "true")
_PROACTIVE_PROMPTED=$([ -f ~/.nexus/.proactive-prompted ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
_BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
echo "BRANCH: $_BRANCH"
_SKILL_PREFIX=$(~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config get skill_prefix 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
echo "PROACTIVE: $_PROACTIVE"
echo "PROACTIVE_PROMPTED: $_PROACTIVE_PROMPTED"
echo "SKILL_PREFIX: $_SKILL_PREFIX"
_MODE_CONFIGURED=$(~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config get execution_mode 2>/dev/null || true)
_PRIMARY_PROVIDER_CONFIG=$(~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config get primary_provider 2>/dev/null || true)
_TOPOLOGY_CONFIG=$(~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config get provider_topology 2>/dev/null || true)
if command -v ask >/dev/null 2>&1; then
  _CCB_AVAILABLE="yes"
else
  _CCB_AVAILABLE="no"
fi
if [ -n "$_MODE_CONFIGURED" ]; then
  _EXECUTION_MODE="$_MODE_CONFIGURED"
  _EXECUTION_MODE_CONFIGURED="yes"
else
  _EXECUTION_MODE_CONFIGURED="no"
  if [ "$_CCB_AVAILABLE" = "yes" ]; then
    _EXECUTION_MODE="governed_ccb"
  else
    _EXECUTION_MODE="local_provider"
  fi
fi
if [ "$_EXECUTION_MODE" = "governed_ccb" ]; then
  _PRIMARY_PROVIDER="codex"
  _PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY="multi_session"
else
  if [ -n "$_PRIMARY_PROVIDER_CONFIG" ]; then
    _PRIMARY_PROVIDER="$_PRIMARY_PROVIDER_CONFIG"
  elif command -v claude >/dev/null 2>&1; then
    _PRIMARY_PROVIDER="claude"
  elif command -v codex >/dev/null 2>&1; then
    _PRIMARY_PROVIDER="codex"
  elif command -v gemini >/dev/null 2>&1; then
    _PRIMARY_PROVIDER="gemini"
  else
    _PRIMARY_PROVIDER="claude"
  fi
  if [ -n "$_TOPOLOGY_CONFIG" ]; then
    _PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY="$_TOPOLOGY_CONFIG"
  else
    _PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY="single_agent"
  fi
fi
_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION=$(~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config effective-execution 2>/dev/null || true)
if [ -n "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" ]; then
  _EXECUTION_MODE=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^execution_mode:/{print $2; exit}')
  _EXECUTION_MODE_CONFIGURED=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^execution_mode_configured:/{print $2; exit}')
  _PRIMARY_PROVIDER=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^effective_primary_provider:/{print $2; exit}')
  _PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^effective_provider_topology:/{print $2; exit}')
  _EXECUTION_MODE_SOURCE=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^execution_mode_source:/{print $2; exit}')
  _EXECUTION_PATH=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^effective_requested_execution_path:/{print $2; exit}')
  _CURRENT_SESSION_READY=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^current_session_ready:/{print $2; exit}')
  _REQUIRED_GOVERNED_PROVIDERS=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^required_governed_providers:/{print $2; exit}')
  _GOVERNED_READY=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^governed_ready:/{print $2; exit}')
  _MOUNTED_PROVIDERS=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^mounted_providers:/{print $2; exit}')
  _MISSING_PROVIDERS=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^missing_providers:/{print $2; exit}')
  _LOCAL_PROVIDER_CANDIDATE=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^local_provider_candidate:/{print $2; exit}')
  _LOCAL_PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^local_provider_topology:/{print $2; exit}')
  _LOCAL_PROVIDER_EXECUTION_PATH=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^local_provider_requested_execution_path:/{print $2; exit}')
  _LOCAL_PROVIDER_READY=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^local_provider_ready:/{print $2; exit}')
  _LOCAL_CLAUDE_AGENT_TEAM_READY=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^local_claude_agent_team_ready:/{print $2; exit}')
  _LOCAL_CLAUDE_AGENT_TEAM_REASON=$(printf '%s
' "$_EFFECTIVE_EXECUTION" | awk -F': ' '/^local_claude_agent_team_readiness_reason:/{print $2; exit}')
else
  _EXECUTION_MODE_SOURCE=""
  _EXECUTION_PATH=""
  _CURRENT_SESSION_READY="unknown"
  _REQUIRED_GOVERNED_PROVIDERS=""
  _GOVERNED_READY=""
  _MOUNTED_PROVIDERS=""
  _MISSING_PROVIDERS=""
  _LOCAL_PROVIDER_CANDIDATE=""
  _LOCAL_PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY=""
  _LOCAL_PROVIDER_EXECUTION_PATH=""
  _LOCAL_PROVIDER_READY=""
  _LOCAL_CLAUDE_AGENT_TEAM_READY=""
  _LOCAL_CLAUDE_AGENT_TEAM_REASON=""
fi
echo "CCB_AVAILABLE: $_CCB_AVAILABLE"
echo "EXECUTION_MODE: $_EXECUTION_MODE"
echo "EXECUTION_MODE_CONFIGURED: $_EXECUTION_MODE_CONFIGURED"
echo "EXECUTION_MODE_SOURCE: $_EXECUTION_MODE_SOURCE"
echo "PRIMARY_PROVIDER: $_PRIMARY_PROVIDER"
echo "PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY: $_PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY"
echo "EXECUTION_PATH: $_EXECUTION_PATH"
echo "CURRENT_SESSION_READY: $_CURRENT_SESSION_READY"
echo "REQUIRED_GOVERNED_PROVIDERS: $_REQUIRED_GOVERNED_PROVIDERS"
echo "GOVERNED_READY: $_GOVERNED_READY"
echo "MOUNTED_PROVIDERS: $_MOUNTED_PROVIDERS"
echo "MISSING_PROVIDERS: $_MISSING_PROVIDERS"
echo "LOCAL_PROVIDER_CANDIDATE: $_LOCAL_PROVIDER_CANDIDATE"
echo "LOCAL_PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY: $_LOCAL_PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY"
echo "LOCAL_PROVIDER_EXECUTION_PATH: $_LOCAL_PROVIDER_EXECUTION_PATH"
echo "LOCAL_PROVIDER_READY: $_LOCAL_PROVIDER_READY"
echo "LOCAL_CLAUDE_AGENT_TEAM_READY: $_LOCAL_CLAUDE_AGENT_TEAM_READY"
echo "LOCAL_CLAUDE_AGENT_TEAM_REASON: $_LOCAL_CLAUDE_AGENT_TEAM_REASON"
source <(~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-repo-mode 2>/dev/null) || true
REPO_MODE=${REPO_MODE:-unknown}
echo "REPO_MODE: $REPO_MODE"
_LAKE_SEEN=$([ -f ~/.nexus/.completeness-intro-seen ] && echo "yes" || echo "no")
echo "LAKE_INTRO: $_LAKE_SEEN"
# Learnings count
eval "$(~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-slug 2>/dev/null)" 2>/dev/null || true
_LEARN_FILE="$HOME/.nexus/projects/${SLUG:-unknown}/learnings.jsonl"
if [ -f "$_LEARN_FILE" ]; then
  _LEARN_COUNT=$(wc -l < "$_LEARN_FILE" 2>/dev/null | tr -d ' ')
  echo "LEARNINGS: $_LEARN_COUNT entries loaded"
else
  echo "LEARNINGS: 0"
fi
# Check if CLAUDE.md already has Nexus routing guidance or an equivalent routing rule
_HAS_ROUTING="no"
if [ -f CLAUDE.md ]; then
  if grep -q "## Nexus Skill Routing" CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
    _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
  elif grep -Eiq 'route lifecycle work through .*?/discover.*?/closeout' CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
    _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
  elif grep -Fq "When the user's request matches a canonical Nexus command, invoke that command first." CLAUDE.md 2>/dev/null; then
    _HAS_ROUTING="yes"
  fi
fi
_ROUTING_DECLINED=$(~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config get routing_declined 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
echo "HAS_ROUTING: $_HAS_ROUTING"
echo "ROUTING_DECLINED: $_ROUTING_DECLINED"

If PROACTIVE is "false", do not proactively suggest Nexus commands AND do not auto-invoke skills based on conversation context. Only run skills the user explicitly types (e.g., /qa, /ship). If you would have auto-invoked a skill, instead briefly say: "I think /skillname might help here — want me to run it?" and wait for confirmation. The user opted out of proactive behavior.

If SKILL_PREFIX is "true", the user has namespaced Nexus commands. When suggesting or invoking other Nexus commands, use the /nexus- prefix (e.g., /nexus-qa instead of /qa, /nexus-ship instead of /ship). Disk paths are unaffected — always use ~/.claude/skills/nexus/[skill-name]/SKILL.md for reading skill files.

If output shows UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>: read ~/.claude/skills/nexus/nexus-upgrade/SKILL.md and follow the release-based "Inline upgrade flow" (auto-upgrade if configured, otherwise AskUserQuestion with 4 options, write snooze state if declined). /nexus-upgrade now upgrades from published Nexus releases on the configured release channel, not from upstream repo head. If JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to>: tell user "Running Nexus v{to} (just updated!)" and continue.

If JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to> is present, always include the standardized runtime summary before moving on to work, even when EXECUTION_MODE_CONFIGURED is yes.

When summarizing setup or upgrade state, always keep REPO_MODE and EXECUTION_MODE separate:

  • REPO_MODE is repo ownership only, for example solo or collaborative
  • EXECUTION_MODE is runtime routing only, either governed_ccb or local_provider
  • Never describe solo or collaborative as an execution mode
  • If EXECUTION_MODE_CONFIGURED is no, say it is the current default derived from machine state, not a saved preference
  • EXECUTION_MODE_SOURCE explains whether the active route came from a saved preference or a machine-state default
  • EXECUTION_PATH is the current effective route, for example codex-via-ccb
  • CURRENT_SESSION_READY tells you whether the chosen route is runnable right now in this host/session
  • REQUIRED_GOVERNED_PROVIDERS is the governed provider set Nexus needs for the standard dual-audit path
  • when EXECUTION_MODE=governed_ccb, also surface GOVERNED_READY, MOUNTED_PROVIDERS, and MISSING_PROVIDERS
  • LOCAL_PROVIDER_CANDIDATE, LOCAL_PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY, LOCAL_PROVIDER_EXECUTION_PATH, and LOCAL_PROVIDER_READY describe the current-host local fallback path

Whenever you summarize setup, upgrade, or first-run state, present runtime status in this order:

  • Repo mode: REPO_MODE
  • Execution mode: EXECUTION_MODE plus whether it is a saved preference or a machine-state default (EXECUTION_MODE_SOURCE)
  • Execution path: EXECUTION_PATH
  • Current session ready: CURRENT_SESSION_READY
  • If EXECUTION_MODE=governed_ccb: governed ready, mounted providers, missing providers
  • If EXECUTION_MODE=local_provider because governed CCB is not ready, explicitly say whether that is because CCB is missing or because mounted providers are incomplete, and include the local fallback path
  • Branch: _BRANCH
  • Proactive: PROACTIVE

When EXECUTION_MODE=governed_ccb and CURRENT_SESSION_READY is no, explicitly tell the user whether the gap is:

  • CCB not installed (CCB_AVAILABLE=no), or
  • CCB installed but required providers are not mounted (MISSING_PROVIDERS is non-empty)

If EXECUTION_MODE=governed_ccb and CURRENT_SESSION_READY is no and LOCAL_PROVIDER_READY is yes, use AskUserQuestion before moving into lifecycle work:

Nexus is currently configured for governed CCB, but this session cannot run that route. The local provider path is ready, so you can either switch this host to local_provider or keep the governed CCB preference and mount the missing providers.

RECOMMENDATION: Choose A if you want to work now in this host. Choose B only if you intend to mount CCB providers before continuing. A) Switch this host to local_provider (human: ~0m / CC: ~0m) — Completeness: 8/10 B) Keep governed_ccb and mount the missing CCB providers (human: ~2m / CC: ~0m) — Completeness: 9/10

If A:

~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config set execution_mode local_provider
if [ -n "$_LOCAL_PROVIDER_CANDIDATE" ]; then
  ~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config set primary_provider "$_LOCAL_PROVIDER_CANDIDATE"
fi
if [ -n "$_LOCAL_PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY" ]; then
  ~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config set provider_topology "$_LOCAL_PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY"
fi

Then explain that future Nexus runs on this host will use local_provider until the user changes the saved preference.

If B: do not change Nexus config. Tell the user to mount the missing providers before running governed commands. If CCB is installed but providers are missing, say the standard start path is tmux with ccb codex gemini claude. If CCB is not installed, say they need to install or restore CCB first.

If JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to> is present and EXECUTION_MODE_CONFIGURED is no, state the effective execution mode explicitly using EXECUTION_MODE, EXECUTION_MODE_SOURCE, and CCB_AVAILABLE. Use ~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config effective-execution when you need the effective provider, topology, or requested execution path. When EXECUTION_MODE=governed_ccb, do not ask the user to configure PRIMARY_PROVIDER or PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY. Those are local-provider host preferences, not governed CCB config keys.

If JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to> is present and EXECUTION_MODE_CONFIGURED is no and GOVERNED_READY is yes, use AskUserQuestion to persist the execution preference:

Nexus just upgraded, but this machine still has no saved execution-mode preference. Repo mode only tells you whether the repo is solo or collaborative. Execution mode tells Nexus whether to stay in this Claude session or move to the governed CCB path.

RECOMMENDATION: Choose B if you want the standard governed Nexus path, because CCB is already installed. Completeness: 9/10. A) Stay in the current Claude session with local_provider (human: ~0m / CC: ~0m) — Completeness: 8/10 B) Persist governed_ccb and use mounted CCB providers (human: ~1m / CC: ~0m) — Completeness: 9/10

If A:

~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config set execution_mode local_provider
~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config set primary_provider claude

Then explain that the current session can continue with local_provider, and if PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY is empty the default local topology is single_agent. Claude local-provider topologies invoke the local Claude CLI; inside Claude Code they are guarded unless NEXUS_ALLOW_NESTED_CLAUDE=1 is set.

If B:

~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config set execution_mode governed_ccb

Then explain that governed_ccb requires active CCB providers for this repo, and that the standard way to start them is tmux with ccb codex gemini claude if they are not already mounted.

If JUST_UPGRADED <from> <to> is present and EXECUTION_MODE_CONFIGURED is no and GOVERNED_READY is no, tell the user Nexus is defaulting to local_provider for this host/session. If CCB_AVAILABLE is no, say that CCB is not detected. If CCB_AVAILABLE is yes, say which providers are mounted and which are still missing. In both cases, state the effective local provider/topology/path and tell them they can run ./setup later if they want Nexus to help persist a different execution preference.

If LAKE_INTRO is no: Before continuing, introduce the Nexus Completeness Principle. Tell the user: "Nexus follows the Completeness Principle — when the bounded, correct implementation costs only a little more than the shortcut, prefer finishing the real job."

Then run:

touch ~/.nexus/.completeness-intro-seen

This only happens once.

If PROACTIVE_PROMPTED is no AND LAKE_INTRO is yes: After the lake intro is handled, ask the user about proactive behavior. Use AskUserQuestion:

Nexus can proactively figure out when you might need a skill while you work — like suggesting /qa when you say "does this work?" or /investigate when you hit a bug. We recommend keeping this on — it speeds up every part of your workflow.

Options:

  • A) Keep it on (recommended)
  • B) Turn it off — I'll type /commands myself

If A: run ~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config set proactive true If B: run ~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config set proactive false

Always run:

touch ~/.nexus/.proactive-prompted

This only happens once. If PROACTIVE_PROMPTED is yes, skip this entirely.

If HAS_ROUTING is no AND ROUTING_DECLINED is false AND PROACTIVE_PROMPTED is yes: Check if a CLAUDE.md file exists in the project root. If it does not exist, create it. Before prompting, treat either the standard ## Nexus Skill Routing section or any existing instruction that routes lifecycle work through /discover to /closeout as equivalent Nexus routing guidance. If equivalent guidance already exists, skip this entirely.

Use AskUserQuestion:

Nexus works best when your project's CLAUDE.md includes canonical Nexus command routing guidance. This helps Claude invoke /discover through /closeout consistently without turning CLAUDE.md into a second contract layer.

Options:

  • A) Add Nexus invocation guidance to CLAUDE.md (recommended)
  • B) No thanks, I'll invoke Nexus commands manually

If A: Append this section to the end of CLAUDE.md only when the file does not already contain equivalent Nexus routing guidance:


## Nexus Skill Routing

When the user's request matches a canonical Nexus command, invoke that command first.
This guidance helps command discovery only.
Contracts, transitions, governed artifacts, and lifecycle truth are owned by `lib/nexus/`
and canonical `.planning/` artifacts.

Key routing rules:
- Product ideas, "is this worth building", brainstorming → invoke discover
- Scope definition, requirements framing, non-goals → invoke frame
- Architecture review, execution readiness, implementation planning → invoke plan
- Governed routing and handoff packaging → invoke handoff
- Bounded implementation execution → invoke build
- Code review, check my diff → invoke review
- QA, test the site, find bugs → invoke qa
- Ship, deploy, push, create PR → invoke ship
- Final governed verification and closure → invoke closeout

Do not auto-commit the file. After updating CLAUDE.md, tell the user the routing guidance was added and can be committed with their next repo change.

If B: run ~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-config set routing_declined true Say "No problem. You can add routing guidance later by running nexus-config set routing_declined false and re-running any Nexus skill."

This only happens once per project. If HAS_ROUTING is yes or ROUTING_DECLINED is true, skip this entirely.

Voice

Tone: direct, concrete, sharp, never corporate, never academic. Sound like a builder, not a consultant. Name the file, the function, the command. No filler, no throat-clearing.

Writing rules: No em dashes (use commas, periods, "..."). No AI vocabulary (delve, crucial, robust, comprehensive, nuanced, etc.). Short paragraphs. End with what to do.

The user always has context you don't. Cross-model agreement is a recommendation, not a decision — the user decides.

Contributor Mode

If _CONTRIB is true: you are in contributor mode. At the end of each major workflow step, rate your Nexus experience 0-10. If not a 10 and there's an actionable bug or improvement — file a field report.

File only: Nexus tooling bugs where the input was reasonable but Nexus failed. Skip: user app bugs, network errors, auth failures on user's site.

To file: write ~/.nexus/contributor-logs/{slug}.md:

# {Title}
**What I tried:** {action} | **What happened:** {result} | **Rating:** {0-10}
## Repro
1. {step}
## What would make this a 10
{one sentence}
**Date:** {YYYY-MM-DD} | **Version:** {version} | **Skill:** /{skill}

Slug: lowercase hyphens, max 60 chars. Skip if exists. Max 3/session. File inline, don't stop.

Completion Status Protocol

When completing a skill workflow, report status using one of:

  • DONE — All steps completed successfully. Evidence provided for each claim.
  • DONE_WITH_CONCERNS — Completed, but with issues the user should know about. List each concern.
  • BLOCKED — Cannot proceed. State what is blocking and what was tried.
  • NEEDS_CONTEXT — Missing information required to continue. State exactly what you need.

Escalation

It is always OK to stop and say "this is too hard for me" or "I'm not confident in this result."

Bad work is worse than no work. You will not be penalized for escalating.

  • If you have attempted a task 3 times without success, STOP and escalate.
  • If you are uncertain about a security-sensitive change, STOP and escalate.
  • If the scope of work exceeds what you can verify, STOP and escalate.

Escalation format:

STATUS: BLOCKED | NEEDS_CONTEXT
REASON: [1-2 sentences]
ATTEMPTED: [what you tried]
RECOMMENDATION: [what the user should do next]

Plan Mode Safe Operations

When in plan mode, these operations are always allowed because they produce artifacts that inform the plan, not code changes:

  • $B commands (browse: screenshots, page inspection, navigation, snapshots)
  • $D commands (design: generate mockups, variants, comparison boards, iterate)
  • codex exec / codex review only when the active provider route allows Codex or the user explicitly asks for Codex; in local_provider with a non-Codex primary, use the host/local subagent path instead
  • Writing to ~/.nexus/ (config, review artifacts, design artifacts, learnings, eureka notes)
  • Writing to the plan file (already allowed by plan mode)
  • open commands for viewing generated artifacts (comparison boards, HTML previews)

These are read-only in spirit — they inspect the live site, generate visual artifacts, or get independent opinions. They do NOT modify project source files.

Plan Status Footer

When you are in plan mode and about to call ExitPlanMode:

  1. Check if the plan file already has a ## NEXUS REVIEW REPORT section.
  2. If it DOES — skip (a review skill already wrote a richer report).
  3. If it does NOT — run this command:

```bash ~/.claude/skills/nexus/bin/nexus-review-read ```

Then write a ## NEXUS REVIEW REPORT section to the end of the plan file:

  • If the output contains review entries (JSONL lines before ---CONFIG---): format the standard report table with runs/status/findings per skill, same format as the review skills use.
  • If the output is NO_REVIEWS or empty: write this placeholder table:

```markdown

NEXUS REVIEW REPORT

| Review | Trigger | Why | Runs | Status | Findings | |--------|---------|-----|------|--------|----------| | CEO Review | `/plan-ceo-review` | Scope & strategy | 0 | — | — | | Codex Review | `/codex review` | Independent 2nd opinion | 0 | — | — | | Eng Review | `/plan-eng-review` | Architecture & tests (required) | 0 | — | — | | Design Review | `/plan-design-review` | UI/UX gaps | 0 | — | — |

VERDICT: NO REVIEWS YET — run `/autoplan` for full review pipeline, or individual reviews above. ```

PLAN MODE EXCEPTION — ALWAYS RUN: This writes to the plan file, which is the one file you are allowed to edit in plan mode. The plan file review report is part of the plan's living status.

/nexus

Nexus is the workflow harness. Users should feel like they are moving through:

/discover -> /frame -> /plan -> /handoff -> /build -> /review -> /qa -> /ship -> /closeout

Provider routing is substrate, not the primary user workflow.

Session Bootstrap

When the user enters /nexus, begin by summarizing the active runtime route before doing anything else.

Always report, in this order:

  • Repo mode: REPO_MODE
  • Execution mode: EXECUTION_MODE
  • Execution mode source: EXECUTION_MODE_SOURCE
  • Execution path: EXECUTION_PATH
  • Current session ready: CURRENT_SESSION_READY

When governed CCB state is relevant, also report:

  • Required governed providers: REQUIRED_GOVERNED_PROVIDERS
  • Mounted providers: MOUNTED_PROVIDERS
  • Missing providers: MISSING_PROVIDERS
  • Governed ready: GOVERNED_READY

When local fallback is relevant, also report:

  • Local provider candidate: LOCAL_PROVIDER_CANDIDATE
  • Local topology: LOCAL_PROVIDER_TOPOLOGY
  • Local execution path: LOCAL_PROVIDER_EXECUTION_PATH
  • Local provider ready: LOCAL_PROVIDER_READY

Interpret bootstrap state like this:

  • If EXECUTION_MODE=governed_ccb and CURRENT_SESSION_READY=yes:

    • say Nexus is using governed CCB in this session
    • explicitly list mounted providers
    • if claude is mounted in addition to codex and gemini, say so, but make it clear the standard governed dual-audit path requires codex and gemini
  • If EXECUTION_MODE=local_provider and EXECUTION_MODE_SOURCE=machine_default_local_ccb_missing:

    • say CCB is not detected on this machine/session
    • say Nexus is continuing in the current host through local_provider
    • state the active local provider and topology
  • If EXECUTION_MODE=local_provider and EXECUTION_MODE_SOURCE=machine_default_local_governed_not_ready:

    • say CCB exists but is not fully ready for governed execution in this session
    • explicitly list mounted providers and missing providers
    • say Nexus is continuing in the current host through the local fallback path for now
  • If EXECUTION_MODE=governed_ccb and CURRENT_SESSION_READY=no:

    • treat this as an explicit governed preference that is currently blocked
    • say whether the gap is missing CCB entirely or missing governed providers
    • mention the available local fallback path, but do not silently claim the run has switched to it
    • if LOCAL_PROVIDER_READY=yes, use the preamble's blocked-governed route choice prompt to let the user choose whether to switch this host to local_provider or keep governed_ccb and mount CCB
    • do not continue into lifecycle work until that route choice is resolved

Do not make the user reason about execution_mode, primary_provider, or provider_topology before they have even started the lifecycle. Present the substrate summary once, then move them back to the workflow.

If the user invoked bare /nexus with no narrower task, do not default to /browse. Give the bootstrap summary, tell them the canonical starting point is /discover, and say that Nexus will surface the right support skills as the run progresses.

Lifecycle Routing

If PROACTIVE is false: do NOT proactively invoke or suggest other Nexus skills during this session. Only run skills the user explicitly invokes. This preference persists across sessions via nexus-config.

If PROACTIVE is true (default): invoke the matching Nexus skill instead of answering inline when the request clearly maps to a canonical stage or support surface.

Routing rules — when you see these patterns, INVOKE the skill via the Skill tool:

  • New idea, "is this worth building", brainstorming, product ambiguity → invoke /discover
  • Strategy, scope, non-goals, success criteria, product brief → invoke /frame
  • Turn scope into an execution-ready plan, architecture readiness, verification path → invoke /plan
  • Design system, visual identity, brand direction → invoke /design-consultation
  • Review the design quality of a plan before build → invoke /plan-design-review
  • Freeze governed routing, provenance intent, fallback policy → invoke /handoff
  • Execute a bounded implementation contract → invoke /build
  • Broken behavior, bug, root-cause debugging → invoke /investigate
  • Governed audit, code review, implementation validation → invoke /review
  • Complexity cleanup, behavior-preserving refactor, maintainability advisory → invoke /simplify
  • QA, site testing, bug-finding, validation → invoke /qa
  • Visual audit or polish of a live site → invoke /design-review
  • Release readiness, PR gate, merge readiness → invoke /ship
  • Final governed verification and closure → invoke /closeout
  • Merge an already-shipped PR without assuming deployment → invoke /land
  • Deploy and verify an already-landed change → invoke /deploy
  • Combined merge and deploy shortcut → invoke /land-and-deploy
  • Update docs after shipping → invoke /document-release
  • Weekly retro or shipped-work summary → invoke /retro
  • Performance regression / baseline work → invoke /benchmark
  • Security review / threat analysis → invoke /cso
  • Browser-based QA or authenticated browser testing → invoke /browse, /connect-chrome, or /setup-browser-cookies
  • Safety controls or edit boundaries → invoke /careful, /guard, /freeze, or /unfreeze
  • Upgrade Nexus itself → invoke /nexus-upgrade

If a matching skill exists, do not answer with an ad-hoc explanation first. Route to the skill. If no skill matches, answer directly.

Support Surface Positioning

Support skills are stage-context tools, not a second workflow:

  • early design work: /design-consultation, /plan-design-review
  • debugging: /investigate
  • visual polish: /design-review
  • maintainability polish: /simplify
  • browser QA: /browse, /connect-chrome, /setup-browser-cookies
  • performance/security: /benchmark, /cso
  • release tail: /land, /deploy, /land-and-deploy, /document-release, /canary, /retro, /learn

Do not present these as a flat tool menu unless the user asks for that explicitly. Surface them when they materially help the current lifecycle stage.

Important Boundaries

  • /nexus is the workflow harness entrypoint, not the browser skill
  • use /browse for direct browser work
  • use /discover to start a new governed product/software run
  • compatibility aliases like /office-hours, /plan-ceo-review, /plan-eng-review, and /autoplan are not primary entrypoints
  • provider/transport details belong to bootstrap summary and blocked-route explanation, not to the main lifecycle narration

From the file to a first result

The download contains exactly the content displayed on this page. This copy may differ from the latest version in the source repository.

View the source and supporting files

This download contains SKILL.md only. Any scripts, references, templates and dependencies are not included. Get the required files from the source, preserving their directory structure, before continuing.

1. Download the file

Download SKILL.md

From the root of a test project, save the file as .skill-downloads/nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo/SKILL.md, or use the command below. This folder is for inspecting the skill before installation.

Command for macOS/Linux or WSL: requires a POSIX shell and curl. On Windows without WSL, use the download button and create the folder manually.

mkdir -p '.skill-downloads/nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo' && curl --fail --show-error --location 'https://skills-guides.com/api/skills/nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo/download' --output '.skill-downloads/nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo/SKILL.md.part' && mv '.skill-downloads/nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo/SKILL.md.part' '.skill-downloads/nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo/SKILL.md'

2. Check prerequisites

Read SKILL.md before using it. If it references scripts or external services, inspect them and prepare the required access in your test environment.

No recognized prerequisites section in this file. This does not mean it is self-contained: libraries, tools and access requirements may be mentioned elsewhere in the content or source repository.

The platforms on this page are catalog indications. The paths below follow tool documentation; they do not prove this skill has been run in those tools. No minimum tool version is confirmed for this listing.

3. Load the skill

After inspection, copy the complete folder into your project using one of the commands below, then open a new tool session. The command stops if a folder with the same name already exists: compare the files before replacing it.

Claude Code
test -f '.skill-downloads/nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo/SKILL.md' && test -s '.skill-downloads/nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo/SKILL.md' && mkdir -p '.claude/skills' && test ! -e '.claude/skills/nexus' && cp -R '.skill-downloads/nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo' '.claude/skills/nexus'

OpenSkills

OpenSkills must already be installed. The local install/read procedure is checked with OpenSkills 1.5.0, which requires Node.js ≥ 20.6.0. Catalog slugs are not resolved automatically.

Official OpenSkills installation
openskills install './.skill-downloads/nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo'

openskills read 'nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo'

Reading should display the installed file content and its base directory. It does not run the skill or install its dependencies.

For an agent that reads AGENTS.md, then sync the index. This command changes AGENTS.md: review the diff before using it.

openskills sync

Manual method or another tool: attach SKILL.md to a conversation, or open it in an agent that can read files. Include any required supporting resources. No universal folder is recognized by every tool.

4. Try a first task

Use a short, synthetic input: an API endpoint, a small document or an interface brief. In a new conversation, attach the file or give the agent its path, then adapt this request:

Read .skill-downloads/nexus-workflow-harness-entrypoint-mrwakajo/SKILL.md and apply its instructions to this example: [describe a test input]. Identify any missing files, dependencies or access. Produce the result requested by the skill without inventing data or running unreviewed scripts.

Expected result: output matching the skill instructions, or a precise list of missing prerequisites. A read confirmation alone does not validate a first use. If an external resource is unavailable, that path remains untested.

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