task-exploration

Task Exploration

Exploration is not brainstorming. Every spawn must trace to evidence in the just-completed chain — never invent next steps the upstream artifacts do not support. This skill works alongside [[task-traceability]] so each spawn/close decision is auditable.

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When to trigger

• The orchestrator runs with --magic and the chain reached the explore link.
• The previous five links (plan / execute / verify / review / accept) all produced result.md files in <cache>/tasks/<task_id>/.
• The Leader dispatches an explore task with chain_id, chain_depth, and magic_max_chains populated.
• (Re-entry case) A previous explore task was re-dispatched as feedback; re-read the prior exploration-report.md to avoid contradicting yourself.

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Six-step process (Trace → Survey → Map → Evidence → Record → Decide)

Execute in order. Each step must pass before continuing; a failure at any step short-circuits to close_chain with a rationale (never silently to spawn_chain).

1. Trace — read every non-empty upstream artifact

Read in order:

1. {{upstream_plan_artifact}} (skip if null)
2. {{upstream_execute_artifact}}
3. {{upstream_verify_artifact}}
4. {{upstream_review_artifact}}
5. {{upstream_accept_artifact}} — this is the most recent ground truth; start with the GO/NO-GO line.

If every artifact is empty or missing → write BLOCKED: no upstream artifacts to result_path and stop. The SelfEvaluator's fallback will emit reject.

2. Survey — read the cross-chain context

• Read the original requirement at {{original_requirement_path}}. Look for chain drift: did the chain ship something materially different from what was asked?
• If parent_chain_summary is non-empty (chain_depth > 0), read it. Note the parent's accept result so you don't recommend reverting the parent's own work.
• Compare chain_depth + 1 against magic_max_chains:
  • magic_max_chains is unlimited → no cap; freely consider spawn.
  • chain_depth + 1 >= magic_max_chains → the Leader will demote any spawn to close. Prefer close_chain with a clarifying note over a wasted spawn.