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test-kitchen

This skill should be used when implementing features with parallel exploration or competition. Triggers on "build", "create", "implement", "try both approaches", "compare implementations". Routes to omakase-off (entry gate for design exploration) or cookoff (exit gate for parallel implementation).

$ Installer

git clone https://github.com/2389-research/claude-plugins /tmp/claude-plugins && cp -r /tmp/claude-plugins/test-kitchen/skills ~/.claude/skills/claude-plugins

// tip: Run this command in your terminal to install the skill


name: test-kitchen description: This skill should be used when implementing features with parallel exploration or competition. Triggers on "build", "create", "implement", "try both approaches", "compare implementations". Routes to omakase-off (entry gate for design exploration) or cookoff (exit gate for parallel implementation).

Test Kitchen

Parallel implementation framework with two gate skills:

SkillGateTrigger
test-kitchen:omakase-offEntryFIRST on any build/create/implement request
test-kitchen:cookoffExitAt design→implementation transition

Flow

"Build X" / "Create Y" / "Implement Z"
    ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  OMAKASE-OFF (entry gate)           │
│  Wraps brainstorming                │
│                                     │
│  Choice:                            │
│  1. Brainstorm together             │
│  2. Omakase (3-5 parallel designs)  │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
    ↓
[Brainstorming / Design phase]
    ↓
Design complete, "let's implement"
    ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  COOKOFF (exit gate)                │
│  Wraps implementation               │
│                                     │
│  Choice:                            │
│  1. Cookoff (2-5 parallel agents)   │
│  2. Single subagent                 │
│  3. Local implementation            │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
    ↓
[Implementation]

Key Insight

Skills need aggressive triggers to work. They can't passively detect "uncertainty" or "readiness" - they must claim specific moments in the conversation flow.

  • Omakase-off: Claims the BUILD/CREATE moment (before brainstorming)
  • Cookoff: Claims the IMPLEMENT moment (after design)

When Each Triggers

Omakase-off (Three Triggers)

Trigger 1: BEFORE brainstorming

  • "I want to build...", "Create a...", "Implement...", "Add a feature..."
  • ANY signal to start building something
  • Offers choice: Brainstorm together OR Omakase (parallel designs)

Trigger 2: DURING brainstorming (slot detection)

  • 2+ uncertain responses on architectural decisions
  • "not sure", "don't know", "either works", "you pick", "no preference"
  • Offers to explore detected slots in parallel

Trigger 3: Explicitly requested

  • "try both approaches", "explore both", "omakase"
  • "implement both variants", "let's see which is better"

Cookoff

  • "Let's implement"
  • "Looks good, let's build"
  • "Ready to code"
  • Design doc just committed
  • ANY signal to move from design to code

Omakase Mode (Skip Brainstorming)

If user picks "Omakase" at the entry gate:

  1. Quick context gathering (1-2 questions)
  2. Generate 3-5 best architectural approaches
  3. Implement ALL in parallel
  4. Tests pick the winner
  5. Skip detailed brainstorming entirely

Best for: "I'm flexible, show me options in working code"

Cookoff Mode (Parallel Implementation)

If user picks "Cookoff" at the exit gate:

  1. Each agent reads the same design doc
  2. Each agent creates their OWN implementation plan
  3. All implement in parallel
  4. Compare results, pick winner

Best for: "I want to see different implementation approaches"

Key Distinction

Omakase-offCookoff
GateEntry (before/during brainstorming)Exit (after design)
QuestionHOW to explore?HOW to implement?
Parallel onDifferent DESIGNSSame design, different PLANS
TriggersBuild request, indecision detection, explicit"let's implement" signal
SkipsBrainstorming (optional via short-circuit)Nothing - always after design

Slot Detection (During Brainstorming)

When omakase-off delegates to brainstorming, it passively tracks architectural decisions where user shows uncertainty:

Detection signals:

  • "not sure", "don't know", "either works", "both sound good"
  • "you pick", "whatever you think", "no preference"
  • User defers 2+ decisions in a row

Slot classification:

TypeExamplesWorth exploring?
ArchitecturalStorage engine, framework, auth methodYes - different code paths
TrivialFile location, naming, config formatNo - easy to change

At end of brainstorming:

  • If architectural slots exist → offer parallel exploration
  • If no slots → hand off to cookoff for implementation