Building with Workflows
A practical guide to using Bootspring workflows for efficient development
This guide shows you how to effectively use Bootspring workflows for your development process, from simple features to complex releases.
Understanding Workflows#
Workflows are structured development processes that:
- Guide you through phases with the right agents
- Track progress with completion signals
- Ensure quality with best practices at each step
Choosing the Right Workflow#
For New Features#
Use Feature Development for most new functionality:
bootspring workflow start feature-developmentThis workflow guides you through:
- Design - Plan the feature with ui-ux-expert and api-expert
- Implementation - Build with backend/frontend experts
- Testing - Verify with testing-expert
- Review - Final check with security/performance experts
For Bug Fixes#
For small fixes, you might not need a full workflow. But for significant bugs:
bootspring workflow start feature-development
# Focus on Testing phase for the fixFor Security Work#
Use Security Audit for security-focused work:
bootspring workflow start security-auditFor Performance Work#
Use Performance Optimization:
bootspring workflow start performance-optimizationFor Releases#
Use Launch Preparation before deploying:
bootspring workflow start launch-preparationWorkflow Lifecycle#
Starting#
1# Start a workflow
2bootspring workflow start feature-development
3
4# Output:
5# Started workflow: Feature Development
6# Phase 1/4: Design
7# Recommended agents: ui-ux-expert, frontend-expert, api-expert
8# Duration estimate: 1-2 daysWorking Through Phases#
Each phase has recommended agents. Invoke them:
# Get help from recommended agents
bootspring agent invoke ui-ux-expert
bootspring agent invoke api-expertAdvancing#
When a phase is complete:
1# Move to next phase
2bootspring workflow next
3
4# Output:
5# Advanced to Phase 2/4: Implementation
6# Recommended agents: backend-expert, frontend-expert, database-expertTracking Signals#
Mark completion signals as you achieve them:
# List signals
bootspring workflow signals
# Mark a signal complete
bootspring workflow checkpoint "Tests passing in CI"Completing#
When all phases are done:
bootspring workflow next
# Output: Workflow complete!Practical Example: Building User Authentication#
1. Start the Workflow#
bootspring workflow start feature-development2. Design Phase#
1# Invoke design agents
2bootspring agent invoke api-expert
3# "Design the authentication API endpoints"
4
5bootspring agent invoke ui-ux-expert
6# "Design the login/signup user flows"Outputs:
- API contract for auth endpoints
- UI mockups for auth screens
- Database schema for users
3. Move to Implementation#
bootspring workflow next4. Implementation Phase#
1bootspring agent invoke backend-expert
2# "Implement the auth API using the design"
3
4bootspring agent invoke frontend-expert
5# "Build the login and signup components"
6
7bootspring agent invoke database-expert
8# "Create the user migration and model"5. Move to Testing#
bootspring workflow next6. Testing Phase#
bootspring agent invoke testing-expert
# "Write tests for the authentication feature"
bootspring agent invoke code-review-expert
# "Review the auth implementation"7. Move to Review#
bootspring workflow next8. Review Phase#
bootspring agent invoke security-expert
# "Security review the authentication implementation"
# Mark completion signal
bootspring workflow checkpoint "Security/perf review completed"9. Complete#
bootspring workflow next
# Workflow complete!Using Parallel Execution#
For independent work, use parallel workflows:
bootspring workflow start full-stack-parallelBackend and frontend development happen simultaneously:
1# Check parallel status
2bootspring workflow parallel-status
3
4# Complete backend phase
5bootspring workflow complete-phase 1
6
7# Complete frontend phase
8bootspring workflow complete-phase 2Handling Failures#
If something goes wrong:
1# Report a failure
2bootspring workflow report-failure testing
3
4# Start remediation
5bootspring workflow remediate <failure-id>
6
7# Work through remediation steps
8bootspring workflow remediation-next
9
10# Resume workflow when fixed
11bootspring workflow resumeChaining Workflows#
For complex processes, use composition:
1# Create a composition
2bootspring composition create release-process \
3 --workflows feature-development,security-audit,launch-preparation
4
5# Start it
6bootspring composition start release-processBest Practices#
1. Start with the Right Workflow#
Don't over-engineer small tasks, but don't skip workflows for complex work.
2. Use Agents at Each Phase#
The recommended agents exist for a reason. Invoke them.
3. Track Your Signals#
Completion signals help you know when phases are truly done.
4. Handle Failures Properly#
Use the remediation system instead of abandoning workflows.
5. Review Your History#
bootspring workflow historyLearn from past workflows to improve your process.
Quick Reference#
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
workflow start <name> | Start a workflow |
workflow next | Advance to next phase |
workflow status | Check current status |
workflow signals | List completion signals |
workflow checkpoint <signal> | Mark signal complete |
workflow pause | Pause the workflow |
workflow resume | Resume paused workflow |
workflow report-failure <type> | Report a failure |