# Quick Start

Once `@maestria/prime-agent` is installed, start Prime Agent from the repository or project you want
it to work in, then run `/reload` so the skills and extension metadata are rediscovered.

## Load the orchestrator

Use the orchestrator skill when a task is unfamiliar, cross-file, or risky:

```text
/skill:orchestrator I need to add rate limiting to the API. Plan and implement it.
```

The orchestrator chooses between direct work and specialist skills based on task risk and available
runtime capabilities. It is methodology guidance, not a replacement for Prime's own execution
boundary. "Delegate to a specialist" means load the relevant skill and apply its methodology - this
package does not spawn child agents from the extension (see Platform notes).

## Call a specialist

Use one specialist when you need one kind of help:

```text
/skill:adventurer Trace the authentication flow and report the relevant files.
```

The specialist roles are:

| Skill        | Use it for                                      |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------------- |
| `adventurer` | Reconnaissance and codebase mapping             |
| `architect`  | Architecture trade-offs and ADR decisions       |
| `builder`    | Focused implementation and verification         |
| `diagnose`   | Root-cause analysis and regression tracing      |
| `planner`    | Phased plans, dependencies, and rollback points |
| `reviewer`   | Independent review after implementation         |
| `writer`     | Documentation and structured prose              |

## Choose a workflow mode

The workflow modes are loaded by description matching, or invoked explicitly as `/skill:fein`,
`/skill:sonar`, `/skill:blitz`. If the extension is loaded, the same modes are available as slash
commands (`/fein`, `/sonar`, `/blitz`) and are persisted for the session:

| Mode    | Route                                                             |
| ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `fein`  | Full pipeline: reconnaissance, design, implementation, and review |
| `sonar` | Research-only route that stops before implementation              |
| `blitz` | Fast route for small or well-understood work                      |

For example:

```text
/fein Add rate limiting to the API.
```

While a mode is active, the extension appends the mode's prompt to the system prompt on every agent
turn. `/maestria-status` shows the current mode and the verified/deferred subset; `/mode-clear`
returns to neutral routing.

## Review independently

After the builder completes, invoke the reviewer in a separate turn:

```text
/skill:reviewer Review the current work for correctness, security, and missing tests.
```

The reviewer skill is advisory. Prime Agent does not provide a skill-level tool-denial mechanism, so
read-only roles state their intent without claiming a runtime boundary; use Prime's own execution
controls where a hard boundary is required.