Delegation Core Framework

Overview

A method for deciding when and how to delegate tasks to external LLM services. The core principle: delegate execution, retain high-level reasoning.

When to Use

• Before invoking any external LLM for task assistance.
• When operations are token-heavy and exceed local context limits.
• When batch processing benefits from different model characteristics.
• When tasks require routing between models.

Philosophy

Delegate execution, retain reasoning:

• Claude handles: Architecture, strategy, design, and review.
• External LLMs perform: Data processing, pattern extraction, bulk operations, summarization.

Delegation Flow

1. Task Assessment: Classify task by complexity and context size.
2. Suitability Evaluation: Check prerequisites and service fit.
3. Handoff Planning: Formulate request and document plan.
4. Execution & Integration: Run delegation, validate, and integrate results.

Quick Decision Matrix

High Complexity: Architecture, design decisions, trade-offs, creative problem solving.

Low Complexity: Pattern counting, bulk extraction, boilerplate generation, summarization.

Detailed Workflow Steps

1. Task Assessment (delegation-core:task-assessed)

Classify your task:

• See modules/task-assessment.md for classification criteria.
• Use token estimates to determine thresholds.
• Apply the decision matrix.

Exit Criteria: Task classified with complexity level, context size, and delegation recommendation.

2. Suitability Evaluation (delegation-core:delegation-suitability)

Verify prerequisites:

• See modules/handoff-patterns.md for checklist.
• Evaluate cost-benefit ratio using modules/cost-estimation.md.
• Check for red flags (security, real-time iteration).

Exit Criteria: Service authenticated, quotas verified, cost justified.

3. Handoff Planning (delegation-core:handoff-planned)

Create a delegation plan:

• See modules/handoff-patterns.md for request template.
• Document service, command, input context, expected output.
• Define validation method.

Exit Criteria: Delegation plan documented.

4. Execution & Integration (delegation-core:results-integrated)

Execute and validate results:

• Run delegation and capture output.
• Validate format and correctness.
• Integrate only after validation passes.
• Log usage.

Exit Criteria: Results validated and integrated, usage logged.

Leyline Infrastructure

Conjure uses leyline for shared infrastructure:

See modules/cost-estimation.md for leyline integration examples.

Service-Specific Skills

For detailed service workflows:

• Skill(conjure:gemini-delegation): Gemini CLI specifics.
• Skill(conjure:qwen-delegation): Qwen MCP specifics.

Module Reference

• task-assessment.md: Complexity classification, decision matrix.
• cost-estimation.md: Pricing, budgets, cost tracking.
• handoff-patterns.md: Request templates, workflows.
• troubleshooting.md: Common problems, service failures.

Exit Criteria

• Task assessed and classified.
• Delegation decision justified.
• Results validated before integration.
• Lessons captured.