# Custom Workflows Guide > **Skill Seekers v3.1.0** > **Create custom AI enhancement workflows** --- ## What are Custom Workflows? Workflows are YAML-defined, multi-stage AI enhancement pipelines: ```yaml my-workflow.yaml ├── name ├── description ├── variables (optional) └── stages (1-10) ├── name ├── type (builtin/custom) ├── target (skill_md/references/) ├── prompt └── uses_history (optional) ``` --- ## Basic Workflow Structure ```yaml name: my-custom description: Custom enhancement workflow stages: - name: stage-one type: builtin target: skill_md prompt: | Improve the SKILL.md by adding... - name: stage-two type: custom target: references prompt: | Enhance the references by... ``` --- ## Workflow Fields ### Top Level | Field | Required | Description | |-------|----------|-------------| | `name` | Yes | Workflow identifier | | `description` | No | Human-readable description | | `variables` | No | Configurable variables | | `stages` | Yes | Array of stage definitions | ### Stage Fields | Field | Required | Description | |-------|----------|-------------| | `name` | Yes | Stage identifier | | `type` | Yes | `builtin` or `custom` | | `target` | Yes | `skill_md` or `references` | | `prompt` | Yes | AI prompt text | | `uses_history` | No | Access previous stage results | --- ## Creating Your First Workflow ### Example: Performance Analysis ```yaml # performance.yaml name: performance-focus description: Analyze and document performance characteristics variables: target_latency: "100ms" target_throughput: "1000 req/s" stages: - name: performance-overview type: builtin target: skill_md prompt: | Add a "Performance" section to SKILL.md covering: - Benchmark results - Performance characteristics - Resource requirements - name: optimization-guide type: custom target: references uses_history: true prompt: | Create an optimization guide with: - Target latency: {target_latency} - Target throughput: {target_throughput} - Common bottlenecks - Optimization techniques ``` ### Install and Use ```bash # Add workflow skill-seekers workflows add performance.yaml # Use it skill-seekers create --enhance-workflow performance-focus # With custom variables skill-seekers create \ --enhance-workflow performance-focus \ --var target_latency=50ms \ --var target_throughput=5000req/s ``` --- ## Stage Types ### builtin Uses built-in enhancement logic: ```yaml stages: - name: structure-improvement type: builtin target: skill_md prompt: "Improve document structure" ``` ### custom Full custom prompt control: ```yaml stages: - name: custom-analysis type: custom target: skill_md prompt: | Your detailed custom prompt here... Can use {variables} and {history} ``` --- ## Targets ### skill_md Enhances the main SKILL.md file: ```yaml stages: - name: improve-skill target: skill_md prompt: "Add comprehensive overview section" ``` ### references Enhances reference files: ```yaml stages: - name: improve-refs target: references prompt: "Add cross-references between files" ``` --- ## Variables ### Defining Variables ```yaml variables: audience: "beginners" focus_area: "security" include_examples: true ``` ### Using Variables ```yaml stages: - name: customize prompt: | Tailor content for {audience}. Focus on {focus_area}. Include examples: {include_examples} ``` ### Overriding at Runtime ```bash skill-seekers create \ --enhance-workflow my-workflow \ --var audience=experts \ --var focus_area=performance ``` --- ## History Passing Access results from previous stages: ```yaml stages: - name: analyze type: custom target: skill_md prompt: "Analyze security features" - name: document type: custom target: skill_md uses_history: true prompt: | Based on previous analysis: {previous_results} Create documentation... ``` --- ## Advanced Example: Security Review ```yaml name: comprehensive-security description: Multi-stage security analysis variables: compliance_framework: "OWASP Top 10" risk_level: "high" stages: - name: asset-inventory type: builtin target: skill_md prompt: | Document all security-sensitive components: - Authentication mechanisms - Authorization checks - Data validation - Encryption usage - name: threat-analysis type: custom target: skill_md uses_history: true prompt: | Based on assets: {all_history} Analyze threats for {compliance_framework}: - Threat vectors - Attack scenarios - Risk ratings ({risk_level} focus) - name: mitigation-guide type: custom target: references uses_history: true prompt: | Create mitigation guide: - Countermeasures - Best practices - Code examples - Testing strategies ``` --- ## Validation ### Validate Before Installing ```bash skill-seekers workflows validate ./my-workflow.yaml ``` ### Common Errors | Error | Cause | Fix | |-------|-------|-----| | `Missing 'stages'` | No stages array | Add stages: | | `Invalid type` | Not builtin/custom | Check type field | | `Undefined variable` | Used but not defined | Add to variables: | --- ## Best Practices ### 1. Start Simple ```yaml # Start with 1-2 stages name: simple description: Simple workflow stages: - name: improve type: builtin target: skill_md prompt: "Improve SKILL.md" ``` ### 2. Use Clear Stage Names ```yaml # Good stages: - name: security-overview - name: vulnerability-analysis # Bad stages: - name: stage1 - name: step2 ``` ### 3. Document Variables ```yaml variables: # Target audience level: beginner, intermediate, expert audience: "intermediate" # Security focus area: owasp, pci, hipaa compliance: "owasp" ``` ### 4. Test Incrementally ```bash # Test with dry run skill-seekers create \ --enhance-workflow my-workflow \ --workflow-dry-run # Then actually run skill-seekers create \ --enhance-workflow my-workflow ``` ### 5. Chain for Complex Analysis ```bash # Use multiple workflows skill-seekers create \ --enhance-workflow security-focus \ --enhance-workflow performance-focus ``` --- ## Sharing Workflows ### Export Workflow ```bash # Get workflow content skill-seekers workflows show my-workflow > my-workflow.yaml ``` ### Share with Team ```bash # Add to version control git add my-workflow.yaml git commit -m "Add custom security workflow" # Team members install skill-seekers workflows add my-workflow.yaml ``` ### Publish Submit to Skill Seekers community: - GitHub Discussions - Skill Seekers website - Documentation contributions --- ## See Also - [Workflows Guide](../user-guide/05-workflows.md) - Using workflows - [MCP Reference](../reference/MCP_REFERENCE.md) - Workflows via MCP - [Enhancement Guide](../user-guide/03-enhancement.md) - Enhancement fundamentals