---
name: solo-pipeline
description: Use when "run pipeline", "automate research to PRD", "full pipeline", "research and validate", "scaffold to build", "loop until done", "chain skills", or need multi-skill automation. Do NOT use for single skills (use the skill directly).
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: fortunto2
  version: "1.4.0"
  openclaw:
    emoji: "🔄"
allowed-tools: Bash, Read, Write, AskUserQuestion
argument-hint: "research <idea> | dev <name> <stack> [--feature desc]"
---

# /pipeline

Launch an automated multi-skill pipeline. The Stop hook chains skills automatically — no manual invocation needed between stages.

## Available Pipelines

### Research Pipeline
`/pipeline research "AI therapist app"`

Chains: `/research` -> `/validate`
Produces: `research.md` -> `prd.md`

### Dev Pipeline
`/pipeline dev "project-name" "stack"`
`/pipeline dev "project-name" "stack" --feature "user onboarding"`

Chains: `/scaffold` -> `/setup` -> `/plan` -> `/build`
Produces: full project with workflow, plan, and implementation

## Steps

### 1. Parse Arguments

Extract from `$ARGUMENTS`:
- Pipeline type: first word (`research` or `dev`)
- Remaining args: passed to the launcher script

If no arguments or unclear, ask:

```
Which pipeline do you want to run?

1. Research Pipeline — /research → /validate (idea to PRD)
2. Dev Pipeline — /scaffold → /setup → /plan → /build (PRD to running code)
```

### 2. Confirm with User

Show what will happen:

```
Pipeline: {type}
Stages: {stage1} → {stage2} → ...
Idea/Project: {name}

This will run multiple skills automatically. Continue?
```

Ask via AskUserQuestion.

### 3. Start First Stage

Run the first skill in the pipeline directly:

For research pipeline: Run `/research "idea name"`
For dev pipeline: Run `/scaffold project-name stack`

The Stop hook (if configured) will handle subsequent stages automatically.
Without a Stop hook, manually invoke each skill in sequence.

### 3b. Launcher Scripts (optional, Claude Code plugin only)

If you have the solo-factory plugin installed, launcher scripts provide tmux dashboard and logging:

```bash
# Only available with Claude Code plugin — skip if not installed
solo-research.sh "idea name" [--project name]
solo-dev.sh "project-name" "stack" [--feature "desc"]
```

Pass `--no-dashboard` when running from within a skill context.

### 5. Pipeline Completion

When all stages are done, output:
```
<solo:done/>
```

The Stop hook checks for this signal and cleans up the state file.

## State File

Location: `.solo/pipelines/solo-pipeline-{project}.local.md` (project-local) or `~/.solo/pipelines/solo-pipeline-{project}.local.md` (global fallback)
Log file: `.solo/pipelines/solo-pipeline-{project}.log`

Format: YAML frontmatter with stages list, `project_root`, and `log_file` fields.
The Stop hook reads this file on every session exit attempt.

To cancel a pipeline manually: delete the state file `solo-pipeline-{project}.local.md`

## Monitoring

### tmux Dashboard (terminal use)

When launched from terminal (without `--no-dashboard`), a tmux dashboard opens automatically with:
- Pane 0: work area
- Pane 1: `tail -f` on log file
- Pane 2: live status display (refreshes every 2s)

### Manual Monitoring

Monitor pipeline progress with standard tools:
```bash
# Watch log file
tail -f .solo/pipelines/solo-pipeline-<project>.log

# Check pipeline state

# Auto-refresh
watch -n2 -c solo-pipeline-status.sh
```

Otherwise, use standard tools:
```bash
# Log tail
tail -f .solo/pipelines/solo-pipeline-<project>.log

# Check state file
cat .solo/pipelines/solo-pipeline-<project>.local.md
```

### Session Reuse

Re-running a pipeline reuses any existing state — completed stages are skipped automatically.
- No need to close/recreate — just run the same command again

### Log Format

```
[22:30:15] START    | my-app | stages: research -> validate | max: 5
[22:30:16] STAGE    | iter 1/5 | stage 1/2: research
[22:30:16] INVOKE   | /research "AI therapist app"
[22:35:42] CHECK    | research | .../research.md -> FOUND
[22:35:42] STAGE    | iter 2/5 | stage 2/2: validate
[22:35:42] INVOKE   | /validate "AI therapist app"
[22:40:10] CHECK    | validate | .../prd.md -> FOUND
[22:40:10] DONE     | All stages complete! Promise detected.
[22:40:10] FINISH   | Duration: 10m
```

## Critical Rules

1. **Always confirm** before starting a pipeline.
2. **Don't skip stages** — the hook handles progression.
3. **Cancel = delete state file** — tell users this if they want to stop.
4. **Max iterations** prevent infinite loops (default 5 for research, 15 for dev).
5. **Use `--no-dashboard`** when running from within Claude Code skill context.