Objective
Add a "step-then-example" prompt template pattern to .github/aw/create-agentic-workflow.md to help reduce density in multi-step workflow prompts.
Context
From discussion #27482 (Agent Persona Exploration - 2026-04-21), every scenario scored 4/5 (not 5) on prompt clarity. Multi-step prompts (6–7 steps) were correct but dense. Complex analysis steps (e.g., multi-format coverage parsing with format classification tables) would benefit from an example-first layout. No prompt template section currently exists with this guidance.
Approach
In .github/aw/create-agentic-workflow.md, add a section on prompt authoring style. Insert a "Prompt Template Best Practices" subsection that includes:
-
Step-then-example pattern: For each complex analysis step, immediately follow the instruction with a concrete example:
❌ Dense:
3. Parse coverage: extract total.lines.pct from JSON Summary, covered/total from Go cover output, or SF/DA/LF/LH from LCOV.
✅ Step-then-example:
3. Parse coverage from whatever format CI produced:
- JSON Summary: `{ "total": { "lines": { "pct": 87.5 } } }` → use `total.lines.pct`
- Go cover: `github.com/foo/bar/pkg 87.5%` → use the percentage column
- LCOV: `LF:100` / `LH:87` → compute `LH/LF * 100`
-
Decision tree format: For branching logic steps, use a simple if/else block rather than a prose paragraph.
-
Maximum 2 decision points per step: If a step has more than 2 branches, split it into sub-steps.
Files to Modify
.github/aw/create-agentic-workflow.md — add "Prompt Authoring Best Practices" section with step-then-example pattern and decision tree guidance
Acceptance Criteria
Generated by Plan Command for issue #discussion #27482 · ● 292.8K · ◷
Objective
Add a "step-then-example" prompt template pattern to
.github/aw/create-agentic-workflow.mdto help reduce density in multi-step workflow prompts.Context
From discussion #27482 (Agent Persona Exploration - 2026-04-21), every scenario scored 4/5 (not 5) on prompt clarity. Multi-step prompts (6–7 steps) were correct but dense. Complex analysis steps (e.g., multi-format coverage parsing with format classification tables) would benefit from an example-first layout. No prompt template section currently exists with this guidance.
Approach
In
.github/aw/create-agentic-workflow.md, add a section on prompt authoring style. Insert a "Prompt Template Best Practices" subsection that includes:Step-then-example pattern: For each complex analysis step, immediately follow the instruction with a concrete example:
Decision tree format: For branching logic steps, use a simple if/else block rather than a prose paragraph.
Maximum 2 decision points per step: If a step has more than 2 branches, split it into sub-steps.
Files to Modify
.github/aw/create-agentic-workflow.md— add "Prompt Authoring Best Practices" section with step-then-example pattern and decision tree guidanceAcceptance Criteria