using-templates
Use and customize workflow templates for common scenarios. Use when user wants to use a template, asks about available templates, or wants to customize existing workflows.
About using-templates
using-templates is a Claude AI skill developed by mbruhler. Use and customize workflow templates for common scenarios. Use when user wants to use a template, asks about available templates, or wants to customize existing workflows. This powerful Claude Code plugin helps developers automate workflows and enhance productivity with intelligent AI assistance.
Why use using-templates? With 145 stars on GitHub, this skill has been trusted by developers worldwide. Install this Claude skill instantly to enhance your development workflow with AI-powered automation.
| name | using-templates |
| description | Use and customize workflow templates for common scenarios. Use when user wants to use a template, asks about available templates, or wants to customize existing workflows. |
Using Workflow Templates
I help you use and customize workflow templates for common automation scenarios.
When I Activate
I activate when you:
- Ask about available templates
- Want to use a workflow template
- Need to customize a template
- Ask "what templates exist?"
- Say "use the X template"
Template Locations
Templates are searched in the following locations (in order of priority):
- Project root:
./workflows/*.flow- Project-specific templates - Claude root:
~/.claude/workflows/*.flow- User's global templates - Plugin examples:
~/.claude/plugins/repos/orchestration/examples/*.flow- Built-in examples
Project-local templates take precedence over global templates.
Built-in Example Templates
Located in examples/ directory:
- tdd-implementation.flow - Test-Driven Development
- debug-and-fix.flow - Bug investigation and fixing
- polish-news-aggregation.flow - News data aggregation
- plugin-testing.flow - Plugin testing workflow
- i18n-fix-hardcoded-strings.flow - Internationalization
- ui-component-refinement.flow - UI component improvement
- agent-system-demo.flow - Agent system demonstration
Using Templates
1. List Templates
# List project templates ls ./workflows/*.flow 2>/dev/null # List user's global templates ls ~/.claude/workflows/*.flow 2>/dev/null # List built-in examples ls ~/.claude/plugins/repos/orchestration/examples/*.flow
2. View Template
# View from any location cat ./workflows/my-template.flow cat ~/.claude/workflows/my-template.flow cat ~/.claude/plugins/repos/orchestration/examples/tdd-implementation.flow
3. Execute Template
Use /orchestration:template command (searches all locations automatically):
/orchestration:template tdd-implementation
Or reference directly with path:
Use ./workflows/my-workflow.flow
Use ~/.claude/workflows/my-workflow.flow
Use examples/tdd-implementation.flow
Customizing Templates
Parameter Substitution
Some templates have parameters:
# Template with parameter $scanner := {base: "Explore", prompt: "{{SCAN_TYPE}}", model: "sonnet"}
Customize:
# Your version $scanner := {base: "Explore", prompt: "Security expert", model: "sonnet"}
Modify Steps
Add or remove workflow steps:
# Original step1 -> step2 -> step3 # Your version (added error handling) step1 -> step2 -> (if failed)~> handle-error ~> (if passed)~> step3
Add Checkpoints
Insert review points:
# Original analyze -> implement -> deploy # Your version analyze -> implement -> @review-implementation -> deploy
Template Structure
Templates typically have:
# Header with description # Template: TDD Implementation # Description: Implement features using Test-Driven Development # Parameters: None # Phase 1: RED step1 -> step2 # Phase 2: GREEN step3 -> step4 # Phase 3: REFACTOR step5 -> step6
Saving Custom Templates
After customizing, save to your preferred location:
Project-specific templates (recommended for project workflows)
mkdir -p ./workflows cat > ./workflows/my-project-workflow.flow << 'EOF' # My Project Workflow # Description: Custom automation for this project ... EOF
User's global templates (shared across all projects)
mkdir -p ~/.claude/workflows cat > ~/.claude/workflows/my-global-workflow.flow << 'EOF' # My Global Workflow # Description: Custom automation available everywhere ... EOF
Plugin examples (for contributing back)
cat > ~/.claude/plugins/repos/orchestration/examples/my-workflow.flow << 'EOF' # My Example Workflow # Description: Custom automation for X ... EOF
Guidelines:
- Use
.flowextension - Add descriptive header
- Include usage instructions
- Project templates take precedence if same name exists globally
Template Categories
Development Workflows
- TDD implementation
- Bug fixing
- Refactoring
- Code review
Testing Workflows
- Test automation
- Integration testing
- Security scanning
- Performance testing
Deployment Workflows
- CI/CD pipelines
- Staged deployment
- Rollback procedures
Data Workflows
- Data aggregation
- Data validation
- Data transformation
- Report generation
Best Practices
ā DO:
- Start with existing template
- Customize incrementally
- Test modifications
- Save successful customizations
ā DON'T:
- Modify original templates (copy first)
- Skip testing customizations
- Over-complicate simple templates
Template Parameters
Common parameters in templates:
| Parameter | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
{{TARGET}} | Target file/directory | src/components |
{{SCAN_TYPE}} | Type of scan | security, performance |
{{ENV}} | Environment | staging, production |
{{BRANCH}} | Git branch | main, develop |
Related Skills
- creating-workflows: Create new templates
- executing-workflows: Execute templates
- managing-agents: Use agents in templates
Want to use a template? Ask me to show available templates or execute one!

mbruhler
claude-orchestration
Download Skill Files
View Installation GuideDownload the complete skill directory including SKILL.md and all related files