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Dynamic Files Pattern

Purpose

Use template variables for file paths to make workflows reusable across different projects. Paths are collected at runtime and used throughout execution.

Structure

[collect-paths] → [use-paths-in-directives] → [output-to-path]

Implementation

Path Collection

{
  "type": "agent-directive",
  "id": "collect-project-paths",
  "directive": "Determine project structure:\n- Docs location?\n- Output location?\n- Test files location?",
  "inputSchema": {
    "type": "object",
    "properties": {
      "docs_path": {
        "type": "string",
        "description": "Path to project documentation"
      },
      "output_path": {
        "type": "string",
        "description": "Path for workflow outputs"
      },
      "test_path": { "type": "string", "description": "Path to test files" }
    },
    "required": ["docs_path", "output_path"]
  },
  "connections": { "success": "read-documentation" }
}

Using Paths in Directives

{
  "type": "agent-directive",
  "id": "read-documentation",
  "directive": "Read project documentation from {{docs_path}}.\nAnalyze structure and content.",
  "connections": { "success": "write-output" }
}

Output to Dynamic Path

{
  "type": "agent-directive",
  "id": "write-output",
  "directive": "Write results to {{output_path}}/analysis-results.md",
  "connections": { "success": "next-step" }
}

Path Discovery Strategies

Agent can determine paths by:

  1. Searching filesystem: Look for common patterns (docs/, README.md)
  2. Using defaults: Fallback to standard locations
  3. Asking user: When path cannot be determined
{
  "directive": "Find project documentation:\n1. Search for docs/ directory\n2. Check for README.md\n3. Look in standard locations\n4. Ask user if not found"
}

Conditional Path Usage

Combine with conditional templates:

{
  "directive": "{{#if testing_guide_path}}Read testing guide from {{testing_guide_path}}{{else}}No testing guide found, proceed with default patterns{{/if}}"
}

Collect all paths upfront in an information collection step. This allows validation and prevents mid-workflow errors.

Real Example

From development-flow.json:

{
  "id": "get-initial-requirements",
  "inputSchema": {
    "properties": {
      "checklist_path": {
        "type": "string",
        "description": "Path to project checklist or empty if none"
      },
      "agent_onboarding_path": {
        "type": "string",
        "description": "Path to agent onboarding document or empty if none"
      },
      "docs_standards_path": {
        "type": "string",
        "description": "Path to documentation standards or empty if none"
      },
      "testing_guide_path": {
        "type": "string",
        "description": "Path to testing guide or empty if none"
      }
    }
  }
}

Used later:

{
  "directive": "{{#if has_checklist}}Review project checklist: {{checklist_path}}{{/if}}"
}

Path Validation

Use pattern in inputSchema for basic validation:

{
  "properties": {
    "file_path": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^[a-zA-Z0-9/_.-]+$"
    }
  }
}