Debate Workflow

Multi-agent debate system with 3-phase workflow. Optional deep mode with convergence-based feedback loop.

When to Use

Activate this skill when:

• User needs multiple perspectives on a decision
• Complex tradeoffs require structured analysis
• Brainstorming needs systematic synthesis
• User invokes /debate command

Core Concepts

Standard Mode (default)

Phase 1 (Parallel) → Phase 2 (Parallel) → Phase 3

Deep Mode (--deep flag)

Phase 1 → Phase 2 → Convergence Check ─┬─► (converged) → Phase 3
                                       └─► (not converged) → Phase 2b → Phase 3

Usage:

• /debate monolith vs microservices → Standard 3-phase
• /debate monolith vs microservices --deep → With feedback loop

Agent Roles

Deep Mode: Convergence Detection

Only applies when using --deep flag.

How It Works

After Phase 2, compare the 3 KEY RECOMMENDATIONs from each agent.

Convergence Criteria (meet ANY)

1. All 3 agents recommend same general direction
2. 2 agents agree AND third acknowledges as valid
3. All agree on decision framework

Convergence NOT Met If

1. Agents recommend fundamentally opposing directions
2. Key trade-offs still contested without resolution
3. New concerns emerged that weren't addressed

Decision Flow

Deep Mode: Feedback Loop (Phase 2b)

Triggered only when convergence NOT met in deep mode. Each agent must:

1. Address specific disagreement directly
2. Either CONCEDE or provide STRONGER justification
3. Propose path forward

Behavioral Contracts

Each agent has constraints on what they MUST NOT do:

These contracts enforce genuine perspective diversity beyond stylistic variation.

Phase 2 Validation

Before Phase 3, verify each agent:

• Referenced at least 2 specific claims from other agents
• Acknowledged at least 1 valid point they initially missed
• Stated a KEY RECOMMENDATION
• (Deep mode only) Convergence check was performed

If validation fails: document in output, do not retry silently.

Error Handling

Prompt Isolation

All agent prompts MUST include this preamble to prevent context confusion:

CONTEXT ISOLATION: This is a standalone debate exercise. IGNORE any repository, codebase, or file context. Focus ONLY on the debate topic below. Do NOT ask clarifying questions - just produce the requested analysis.

This prevents general-purpose subagents from getting distracted by repository context.

Best Practices

• Include CONTEXT ISOLATION preamble in all agent prompts
• Discussion phase MUST directly reference others' points (mandatory citations)
• Synthesis should acknowledge disagreements, not force consensus
• Include actionable next steps in final output
• Recommend decision frameworks, not decisions
• Max 2 discussion rounds (Phase 2 + Phase 2b) - no infinite loops

Model Configuration

Decision: Use model: haiku for all agent Task calls.

Rationale:

• Cost efficiency (agent files specify haiku)
• Sufficient for structured debate format

Override: For complex topics requiring deeper analysis, orchestrator may use model: sonnet for Phase 3 synthesis only.

Execution

• Use Task tool for parallel execution (faster)
• Feedback loop only triggered when agents diverge

Output Template

## Debate: {topic}

### Phase 1: Individual Perspectives

**Researcher**: {summary}
**Critic**: {summary}
**Synthesizer**: {summary}

### Phase 2: Discussion

{key exchanges and refinements}

### Convergence Status

**Rounds**: {1 or 2}
**Status**: {Converged | Partially Converged | Divergent}
**Key Agreement**: {what agents aligned on}
**Remaining Tension**: {what still differs}

### Phase 3: Final Synthesis

**Consensus**: {what all agree on}
**Tensions**: {unresolved disagreements}
**Decision Framework**: {how to decide, not what to decide}

### Next Steps
- {action item 1}
- {action item 2}