---
title: "Clone Substack"
description: "Build an entire application from a detailed specification using debate planning, a staged verify chain, ensemble review, and a postmortem repair loop"
---

The Clone Substack workflow takes a detailed specification document and autonomously builds a complete, working application — in this case, a Substack-like newsletter creation tool. It uses ensemble planning (two independent plans debated into one), a multi-stage verification chain, parallel code review with consensus, and a postmortem repair loop that feeds failures back into the next iteration.

This pattern is adapted from [Kilroy](https://github.com/danshapiro/kilroy)'s `substack-spec-v01.fabro`, which builds a full React application from a natural language spec with acceptance criteria.

## When to use this

- You have a detailed spec and a definition of done with concrete acceptance criteria
- The deliverable is large enough that a single agent pass won't get it right
- You want automated verification (build, format, tests, browser checks) with human-free repair loops
- You want independent review perspectives before accepting the result

## The workflow

<Frame>
  <img src="/images/example-clone-substack.svg" alt="Clone Substack workflow: Start → Bootstrap → Plan Fan-Out → Plan A and Plan B → Debate → Implement → Verify Chain → Review Fan-Out → Review A and Review B → Consensus → Exit, with Fix loop from Verify back to Implement, Rejected path from Consensus to Postmortem, and Replan loop from Postmortem back to Plan Fan-Out" />
</Frame>

```dot title="clone-substack.fabro"
digraph CloneSubstack {
    graph [
        goal="Build the Substack Creator Newsletter Engine — a pure React frontend \
(no backend) for brand-driven Substack content creation. Client-side Gemini LLM \
integration (gemini-3-flash-preview for fast tasks, gemini-3.1-pro-preview with \
extended thinking for important tasks, gemini-2.5-flash-lite for tests). IndexedDB \
persistence via idb library. Setup flow with API key, company identity, voice \
definition, and guardrails — each confirmed by gemini-3.1-pro-preview. Dashboard \
with post history, draft management, New Post and Trending Topics access. Trending \
Topics uses gemini-3-flash-preview with search grounding for research, \
gemini-3.1-pro-preview synthesizes 3 writing prompts. New Post pipeline: Topic \
(rich input) then Research (gemini-3-flash-preview search grounding, source \
metadata) then Outline (gemini-3.1-pro-preview one-shot) then Write/Edit/Guardrails \
(3 automatic gemini-3.1-pro-preview cycles) then Complete (serif footnoted citations \
with attribution lineage). Demo mode replays recorded sessions through production \
code path with fade-in prefills; ships with one bundled P&G session; cache miss \
shows error, no API fallback. Visual design matches Substack (serif fonts, horizontal \
dot step indicators, card primitives, accent progress bars, numbered footnotes). Test \
infrastructure: integration tests with canned data, smoke tests with live \
gemini-2.5-flash-lite, manual test option with real models. Deployment readiness for \
GitHub to Railway validated by code review only — no live deployment execution.",
        rankdir=LR,
        default_max_retries=3,
        retry_target="plan_fanout",
        fallback_retry_target="plan_fanout",
        model_stylesheet="
            *          { model: claude-opus-4-6;      }
            .hard      { model: gpt-5.3-codex;       }
            .verify    { model: claude-opus-4-6;      }
            .branch-a  { model: claude-opus-4-6;      }
            .branch-b  { model: gemini-3-flash-preview;}
        "
    ]

    exit [shape=Msquare, label="Exit"]

    // =========================================================================
    // Bootstrap
    // =========================================================================

    subgraph cluster_bootstrap {
        label="Bootstrap"
        start [shape=Mdiamond, label="Start"]

        check_toolchain [
            shape=parallelogram,
            label="Check Toolchain",
            max_retries=0,
            script="command -v node >/dev/null 2>&1 && command -v npm >/dev/null 2>&1 \
&& node --version && npm --version"
        ]

        expand_spec [
            label="Expand Spec",
            prompt="Goal: {{ goal }}\n\n\
The project specification is at substack-spec-v01.md and the Definition of Done \
is at substack-dod-v01.md. The UI flow diagram is at substack-spec-v01-ui.gv.\n\n\
Read all three files. Scratch artifacts go under .workflow/.\n\n\
If .workflow/spec.md does not exist or is a placeholder, copy the spec verbatim \
to .workflow/spec.md, appending a reference to the UI flow diagram. If \
.workflow/definition_of_done.md does not exist or is a placeholder, copy the DoD \
verbatim to .workflow/definition_of_done.md. If both already exist and are \
adequate, skip."
        ]
    }

    // =========================================================================
    // Planning Fanout
    // =========================================================================

    subgraph cluster_planning {
        label="Planning Fanout"
        node [shape=box]

        plan_fanout [shape=component, label="Plan Fan-Out"]

        plan_a [
            label="Plan A",
            class="branch-a",
            prompt="Goal: {{ goal }}\n\n\
Read .workflow/spec.md and .workflow/definition_of_done.md. If those files do not \
exist, fall back to reading substack-spec-v01.md and substack-dod-v01.md directly. \
If .workflow/postmortem_latest.md exists, incorporate its lessons.\n\n\
Create an implementation plan for the Substack Creator Newsletter Engine covering \
all deliverables and acceptance criteria from the DoD. Be specific about:\n\
- React project setup (Vite + TypeScript + idb + @google/generative-ai SDK)\n\
- Module decomposition with file paths and estimated sizes (~200-500 lines each)\n\
- Core infrastructure: LLM client with structured JSON output and retry/backoff, \
IndexedDB persistence layer, shared UI components (rich input, card, progress bar, \
step indicators)\n\
- Feature modules: Setup flow, Dashboard, Trending Topics, New Post pipeline, \
Demo mode\n\
- Test infrastructure: integration (canned data), smoke (gemini-2.5-flash-lite), \
manual (real models)\n\
- Deployment config: Railway config, validation scripts\n\
- Build/validate scripts: validate-build.sh, validate-fmt.sh, validate-test.sh, \
validate-browser.sh, fix-fmt.sh, validate-artifacts.sh\n\
- Visual design: Substack-like serif styling, no spinners\n\n\
Specify dependency ordering between modules.\n\n\
Write to .workflow/plan_a.md."
        ]

        plan_b [
            label="Plan B",
            class="branch-b",
            prompt="Goal: {{ goal }}\n\n\
Read .workflow/spec.md and .workflow/definition_of_done.md. If those files do not \
exist, fall back to reading substack-spec-v01.md and substack-dod-v01.md directly. \
If .workflow/postmortem_latest.md exists, incorporate its lessons.\n\n\
Create an implementation plan for the Substack Creator Newsletter Engine covering \
all deliverables and acceptance criteria from the DoD. Be specific about:\n\
- React project setup (Vite + TypeScript + idb + @google/generative-ai SDK)\n\
- Module decomposition with file paths and estimated sizes (~200-500 lines each)\n\
- Core infrastructure: LLM client with structured JSON output and retry/backoff, \
IndexedDB persistence layer, shared UI components (rich input, card, progress bar, \
step indicators)\n\
- Feature modules: Setup flow, Dashboard, Trending Topics, New Post pipeline, \
Demo mode\n\
- Test infrastructure: integration (canned data), smoke (gemini-2.5-flash-lite), \
manual (real models)\n\
- Deployment config: Railway config, validation scripts\n\
- Build/validate scripts: validate-build.sh, validate-fmt.sh, validate-test.sh, \
validate-browser.sh, fix-fmt.sh, validate-artifacts.sh\n\
- Visual design: Substack-like serif styling, no spinners\n\n\
Specify dependency ordering between modules.\n\n\
Write to .workflow/plan_b.md."
        ]

        debate [
            label="Debate & Consolidate",
            prompt="Synthesize the two implementation plans into a single best-of-breed \
final plan.\n\n\
Read branch outputs via parallel_results.json. If parallel_results.json is missing, \
fall back to reading .workflow/plan_a.md and .workflow/plan_b.md.\n\n\
If .workflow/postmortem_latest.md exists, read it FIRST. The postmortem contains \
root-cause analysis and concrete fixes from the previous iteration. The final plan \
MUST be adjusted to address every issue identified in the postmortem — add new \
steps, change approaches, or reorder work as needed. Do not simply re-emit the \
same plan that failed.\n\n\
Also read .workflow/implementation_log.md and .workflow/verify_fidelity.md if they \
exist, to understand what worked and what failed in the previous iteration.\n\n\
Read .workflow/spec.md and .workflow/definition_of_done.md for context. If those \
files do not exist, fall back to reading substack-spec-v01.md and \
substack-dod-v01.md directly. Resolve conflicts between plans. Ensure dependency \
order is correct. Pick the most detailed and actionable approach for each module. \
The final plan must produce a work queue of bounded modules (~200-500 lines each), \
ordered so core infrastructure items come first (lower IDs), features next, and \
tests/deployment last.\n\n\
Write the final plan to .workflow/plan_final.md."
        ]
    }

    // =========================================================================
    // Implement
    // =========================================================================

    subgraph cluster_implement {
        label="Implement"

        implement [
            class="hard",
            max_tokens=32768,
            label="Implement",
            prompt="Goal: {{ goal }}\n\n\
Read .workflow/plan_final.md, .workflow/spec.md, and \
.workflow/definition_of_done.md. If the spec or DoD files do not exist at those \
paths, fall back to reading substack-spec-v01.md and substack-dod-v01.md directly.\n\n\
BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE: check if .workflow/verify_errors.log exists. If it does, \
read it — it contains the exact commands that failed and their error output from \
the verify chain. Fix every error listed in that file, then delete \
.workflow/verify_errors.log when all fixes are applied. Do NOT regenerate working \
code — only fix the specific errors.\n\n\
Also check if .workflow/verify_fidelity.md exists. If it does, read it — it \
contains per-AC pass/fail verdicts from the fidelity check. Fix every failing AC \
listed in that file.\n\n\
If .workflow/postmortem_latest.md exists, read it and fix ONLY identified gaps — \
do NOT regenerate working code. On repair passes, read and fix existing files \
rather than skipping them.\n\n\
Implement the complete Substack Creator Newsletter Engine as a single pass. On a \
fresh pass (no postmortem), check if target files already exist on disk and are \
non-empty — if so, skip those files. Implement each module with complete, \
functional code — no stubs, no placeholders, no TODO comments. Follow the plan \
and spec precisely.\n\n\
Implementation order (core infrastructure first, then features, then tests/deploy):\n\n\
1. Project scaffold — package.json, vite.config.ts, tsconfig.json, index.html, \
src/main.tsx, src/App.tsx. Install dependencies: react, react-dom, \
react-router-dom, idb, @google/generative-ai. Write ALL validation scripts:\n\
   - scripts/validate-build.sh: runs npm run build, checks dist/ exists\n\
   - scripts/validate-fmt.sh: runs npx prettier --check src/\n\
   - scripts/validate-test.sh: runs integration scenarios first, then smoke, \
writes evidence + .workflow/test-evidence/latest/manifest.json even on failure\n\
   - scripts/validate-browser.sh: runs browser verification and captures artifacts\n\
   - scripts/fix-fmt.sh: runs npx prettier --write src/\n\
   - scripts/validate-artifacts.sh: verifies manifest scenario IDs match DoD \
integration scenarios\n\
   All scripts: #!/bin/sh, set -e, POSIX sh failure trap.\n\n\
2. LLM client — src/lib/llm.ts, src/lib/llm-schemas.ts: structured JSON output \
with schema enforcement, retry with error feedback and intelligent backoff, model \
switching (gemini-3-flash-preview/gemini-3.1-pro-preview/gemini-2.5-flash-lite), \
client-side API key.\n\n\
3. Persistence — src/lib/db.ts, src/lib/types.ts: IndexedDB via idb with stores \
for configuration (API key, company, voice, guardrails), drafts, sessions (all \
inputs/LLM responses/intermediate state), post history (Markdown + attribution). \
All data persists unless user resets.\n\n\
4. Shared UI — src/components/RichInput.tsx, Card.tsx, ProgressBar.tsx, \
StepIndicator.tsx, src/styles/global.css.\n\n\
5. Setup flow — src/pages/Settings.tsx and step components: API key, company \
(rich input + gemini-3.1-pro-preview confirm + back), voice, guardrails. Parallel \
completion, status icons. Reset everything with confirmation.\n\n\
6. Dashboard — src/pages/Dashboard.tsx: New Post button, Trending Topics button, \
Settings link, post history, draft resume.\n\n\
7. Trending Topics — src/pages/TrendingTopics.tsx: parallel gemini-3-flash-preview \
search grounding queries, trend visualization, 3 gemini-3.1-pro-preview writing \
prompts, navigate to New Post prefilled.\n\n\
8. New Post — src/pages/NewPost.tsx with step components: Topic (rich input), \
Research (gemini-3-flash-preview search grounding, source cards with \
URL/title/author/date, highlight/delete), Outline (gemini-3.1-pro-preview one-shot, \
accept/back), Write (3 automatic gemini-3.1-pro-preview cycles: Write with \
citations, Edit for style, Guardrails-only), Complete (serif post with numbered \
footnotes, linked sources, attribution lineage).\n\n\
9. Demo mode — src/lib/demo.ts, src/pages/DemoMode.tsx, \
src/demo/bundled-session.json: session recording, replay through production path \
(fade-in prefills, highlight next button), bundled P&G session, cache-miss error \
with no API fallback.\n\n\
10. Test infrastructure — src/__tests__/: integration with canned data, smoke with \
gemini-2.5-flash-lite, manual mode option.\n\n\
11. Deploy config — railway.json or equivalent, deployment docs.\n\n\
Ensure App.tsx routing includes all pages. Verify imports/exports are consistent. \
Run npm install. Fix TypeScript errors.\n\n\
Log progress to .workflow/implementation_log.md.\n\n\
PRE-EXIT VERIFICATION: if .workflow/postmortem_latest.md exists, run \
sh scripts/validate-build.sh and re-read targeted files to confirm fixes."
        ]
    }

    // =========================================================================
    // Verify Chain
    // =========================================================================

    subgraph cluster_verify {
        label="Verify"

        fix_fmt [
            shape=parallelogram,
            label="Fix Format",
            max_retries=0,
            script="sh scripts/fix-fmt.sh 2>&1 || { printf '\\n=== VERIFY FAILURE: \
fix-fmt ===\\n%s\\n' \"$(cat /tmp/fix-fmt.log 2>/dev/null || echo 'script missing \
or produced no output')\" >> .workflow/verify_errors.log; exit 1; }"
        ]

        verify_fmt [
            shape=parallelogram,
            label="Check Format",
            max_retries=0,
            script="sh scripts/validate-fmt.sh 2>&1 | tee /tmp/validate-fmt.log; \
test ${PIPESTATUS[0]} -eq 0 || { printf '\\n=== VERIFY FAILURE: validate-fmt \
===\\n%s\\n' \"$(tail -30 /tmp/validate-fmt.log)\" >> .workflow/verify_errors.log; \
exit 1; }"
        ]
        gate_fmt [shape=diamond, label="Fmt OK?"]

        verify_build [
            shape=parallelogram,
            label="Check Build",
            script="sh scripts/validate-build.sh 2>&1 | tee /tmp/validate-build.log; \
test ${PIPESTATUS[0]} -eq 0 || { printf '\\n=== VERIFY FAILURE: validate-build \
===\\n%s\\n' \"$(tail -50 /tmp/validate-build.log)\" >> .workflow/verify_errors.log; \
exit 1; }"
        ]
        gate_build [shape=diamond, label="Build OK?"]

        verify_test [
            shape=parallelogram,
            label="Run Tests",
            script="sh scripts/validate-test.sh 2>&1 | tee /tmp/validate-test.log; \
test ${PIPESTATUS[0]} -eq 0 || { printf '\\n=== VERIFY FAILURE: validate-test \
===\\n%s\\n' \"$(tail -50 /tmp/validate-test.log)\" >> .workflow/verify_errors.log; \
exit 1; }"
        ]
        gate_test [shape=diamond, label="Tests OK?"]

        verify_browser [
            shape=parallelogram,
            label="Check Browser",
            script="sh scripts/validate-browser.sh 2>&1 | tee \
/tmp/validate-browser.log; test ${PIPESTATUS[0]} -eq 0 || { printf '\\n=== VERIFY \
FAILURE: validate-browser ===\\n%s\\n' \"$(tail -50 /tmp/validate-browser.log)\" \
>> .workflow/verify_errors.log; exit 1; }"
        ]
        gate_browser [shape=diamond, label="Browser OK?"]

        verify_artifacts [
            shape=parallelogram,
            label="Check Artifacts",
            max_retries=0,
            script="sh scripts/validate-artifacts.sh 2>&1 | tee \
/tmp/validate-artifacts.log; test ${PIPESTATUS[0]} -eq 0 || { printf '\\n=== \
VERIFY FAILURE: validate-artifacts ===\\n%s\\n' \"$(tail -30 \
/tmp/validate-artifacts.log)\" >> .workflow/verify_errors.log; exit 1; }"
        ]
        gate_artifacts [shape=diamond, label="Artifacts OK?"]

        verify_fidelity [
            label="Verify Fidelity",
            class="verify",
            prompt="Read .workflow/spec.md, .workflow/definition_of_done.md, \
.workflow/verify_fidelity.md (if present), \
.workflow/test-evidence/latest/manifest.json, and relevant implementation files.\n\n\
Evaluate these grouped acceptance checks and map each to concrete file paths:\n\
AC1: src/**/settings* and src/**/router* and src/**/indexeddb* - first-run routing, \
setup flow, persistence.\n\
AC2: src/**/dashboard* and src/**/history* and src/**/draft* - dashboard actions \
and resume/view flows.\n\
AC3: src/**/trending* and src/**/research* - grounded research, deterministic \
trends, prompt handoff.\n\
AC4: src/**/new-post* and src/**/outline* and src/**/write* and src/**/complete* - \
full Topic->Complete pipeline with automatic write cycles.\n\
AC5: src/**/citation* and src/**/markdown* - citation lineage, footnote rendering, \
attribution persistence.\n\
AC6: src/**/demo* and src/demo/** - session picker/replay, bundled P&G demo, \
cache-miss no-fallback behavior.\n\
AC7: src/**/llm* and src/**/schema* - structured outputs, retry/backoff, \
production/test model intent.\n\
AC8: scripts/validate-build.sh and railway.json/Procfile/README* - \
build/deploy-readiness by static review only, no live deployment execution.\n\
AC9: scripts/validate-test.sh and scripts/validate-browser.sh and test sources - \
integration before smoke, manual mode option, browser evidence capture.\n\
AC10: .workflow/test-evidence/latest/manifest.json and \
.workflow/test-evidence/latest/** - IT-1..IT-12 manifest coverage and required \
artifact types.\n\
AC11: src/**/style* and src/**/card* and src/**/progress* - Substack-like visual \
contract including bars, cards, and serif post preview.\n\n\
Write .workflow/verify_fidelity.md with pass/fail verdict and evidence per \
AC1..AC11.\n\n\
On ANY failure: also append to .workflow/verify_errors.log with the header \
'=== VERIFY FAILURE: verify_fidelity ===' followed by the list of failing ACs \
and their specific issues, so the implement node can read the consolidated \
error log.\n\n\
If all ACs pass, include in your response:\n\
{\"context_updates\": {\"all_acs_pass\": \"true\"}}\n\n\
If any AC fails, include in your response:\n\
{\"context_updates\": {\"all_acs_pass\": \"false\"}}"
        ]
        gate_fidelity [shape=diamond, label="Fidelity OK?"]
    }

    // =========================================================================
    // Review Fanout
    // =========================================================================

    subgraph cluster_review {
        label="Review Fanout"
        node [shape=box]

        review_fanout [shape=component, label="Review Fan-Out"]

        review_a [
            label="Review A",
            class="branch-a",
            prompt="Review the Substack Creator Newsletter Engine implementation \
against .workflow/definition_of_done.md.\n\n\
Read the DoD for acceptance criteria. Read all implementation source files and \
.workflow/test-evidence/latest/manifest.json.\n\n\
## MANDATORY: Browser verification\n\
You MUST verify the app works in a real browser. Do not trust code reading alone.\n\
1. Run: npm run build (must exit 0)\n\
2. Start the preview server: npx vite preview --port 4567 &\n\
3. Wait 2 seconds, then use curl to fetch http://localhost:4567/ and verify it \
returns HTML with a root div\n\
4. Check that the HTML references JS and CSS bundles\n\
5. Kill the preview server when done\n\
6. Check browser artifacts in .workflow/test-evidence/latest/ — screenshots must \
be real rendered pages (not 1x1 placeholders). If screenshot files are under 5KB, \
they are fake. REJECT.\n\
7. Check that playwright-report or equivalent browser test output exists and shows \
real test execution\n\n\
If browser verification fails or artifacts are fake, REJECT immediately.\n\n\
## Code and AC verification\n\
Check every AC group (AC1 through AC11):\n\n\
AC1: Build exits 0, static assets produced, deployment config present and coherent \
(review only, no live deploy)\n\
AC2: IndexedDB persistence for API key, config, posts, drafts, sessions, \
attribution mappings across reloads\n\
AC3: Structured JSON output with retry/backoff, correct model routing \
(gemini-3-flash-preview/gemini-3.1-pro-preview/gemini-2.5-flash-lite), \
client-side key\n\
AC4: Parallel setup (any order), status icons, rich input (text/upload/link), \
gemini-3.1-pro-preview confirmation, back button\n\
AC5: Dashboard with New Post and Trending Topics buttons, Settings link, post \
history, draft resume\n\
AC6: Trending Topics: parallel gemini-3-flash-preview search research, trend \
visualization, 3 gemini-3.1-pro-preview writing prompts, navigate to New Post\n\
AC7: Full post pipeline with source metadata, highlight/delete, one-shot outline, \
3 automatic write cycles, citations with attribution lineage\n\
AC8: Demo replay through production path, fade-in/highlight, bundled P&G session, \
cache-miss error\n\
AC9: Validation scripts and runtime evidence contract for build/test/browser checks\n\
AC10: IT-1..IT-12 evidence manifest coverage and artifact completeness\n\
AC11: Substack visual design: serif fonts, step dots, card primitive, accent \
progress bars, no spinners, footnoted post\n\n\
Verdict: APPROVED (all criteria met with evidence) or REJECTED (specific gaps \
by AC ID).\n\
Write to .workflow/review_a.md."
        ]

        review_b [
            label="Review B",
            class="branch-b",
            prompt="Review the Substack Creator Newsletter Engine implementation \
against .workflow/definition_of_done.md.\n\n\
Read the DoD for acceptance criteria. Read all implementation source files and \
.workflow/test-evidence/latest/manifest.json.\n\n\
## MANDATORY: Browser verification\n\
You MUST verify the app works in a real browser. Do not trust code reading alone.\n\
1. Run: npm run build (must exit 0)\n\
2. Start the preview server: npx vite preview --port 4568 &\n\
3. Wait 2 seconds, then use curl to fetch http://localhost:4568/ and verify it \
returns HTML with a root div\n\
4. Check that the HTML references JS and CSS bundles\n\
5. Kill the preview server when done\n\
6. Check browser artifacts in .workflow/test-evidence/latest/ — screenshots must \
be real rendered pages (not 1x1 placeholders). If screenshot files are under 5KB, \
they are fake. REJECT.\n\
7. Check that playwright-report or equivalent browser test output exists and shows \
real test execution\n\n\
If browser verification fails or artifacts are fake, REJECT immediately.\n\n\
## Code and AC verification\n\
Check every AC group (AC1 through AC11):\n\n\
AC1: Build exits 0, static assets produced, deployment config present and coherent \
(review only, no live deploy)\n\
AC2: IndexedDB persistence for API key, config, posts, drafts, sessions, \
attribution mappings across reloads\n\
AC3: Structured JSON output with retry/backoff, correct model routing \
(gemini-3-flash-preview/gemini-3.1-pro-preview/gemini-2.5-flash-lite), \
client-side key\n\
AC4: Parallel setup (any order), status icons, rich input (text/upload/link), \
gemini-3.1-pro-preview confirmation, back button\n\
AC5: Dashboard with New Post and Trending Topics buttons, Settings link, post \
history, draft resume\n\
AC6: Trending Topics: parallel gemini-3-flash-preview search research, trend \
visualization, 3 gemini-3.1-pro-preview writing prompts, navigate to New Post\n\
AC7: Full post pipeline with source metadata, highlight/delete, one-shot outline, \
3 automatic write cycles, citations with attribution lineage\n\
AC8: Demo replay through production path, fade-in/highlight, bundled P&G session, \
cache-miss error\n\
AC9: Validation scripts and runtime evidence contract for build/test/browser checks\n\
AC10: IT-1..IT-12 evidence manifest coverage and artifact completeness\n\
AC11: Substack visual design: serif fonts, step dots, card primitive, accent \
progress bars, no spinners, footnoted post\n\n\
Verdict: APPROVED (all criteria met with evidence) or REJECTED (specific gaps \
by AC ID).\n\
Write to .workflow/review_b.md."
        ]

        review_consensus [
            label="Review Consensus",
            goal_gate=true,
            retry_target="postmortem",
            prompt="Synthesize the two reviews into a consensus verdict.\n\n\
Read branch outputs via parallel_results.json. If parallel_results.json is \
missing, fall back to reading .workflow/review_a.md and .workflow/review_b.md.\n\n\
Read .workflow/definition_of_done.md for acceptance criteria reference.\n\n\
Consensus rules:\n\
- Both APPROVED with no critical gaps: the implementation passes\n\
- Any critical gap identified by either reviewer: rejected with specific AC IDs\n\
- Mixed verdicts: rejected with gaps enumerated\n\n\
Write to .workflow/review_consensus.md.\n\n\
If approved, respond with:\n\
{\"preferred_next_label\": \"approved\"}\n\n\
If rejected, respond with:\n\
{\"preferred_next_label\": \"rejected\"}"
        ]
    }

    // =========================================================================
    // Postmortem
    // =========================================================================

    subgraph cluster_postmortem {
        label="Postmortem"

        postmortem [
            label="Postmortem",
            prompt="Analyze the failure and guide the next repair iteration.\n\n\
Read (if they exist):\n\
- .workflow/review_consensus.md\n\
- .workflow/verify_fidelity.md\n\
- .workflow/implementation_log.md\n\
- .workflow/test-evidence/latest/manifest.json\n\
- Evidence files referenced by manifest entries for failed or suspicious IT \
scenarios\n\
- Branch review outputs via parallel_results.json (if available)\n\n\
Output to .workflow/postmortem_latest.md (overwrite previous):\n\
- Root causes of failure\n\
- What works and must be preserved\n\
- What failed and must be fixed\n\
- Concrete next changes (specific files, specific fixes)\n\
- Evidence file paths read (or explicit reason each was skipped)\n\
- Do NOT direct from-scratch restart — preserve working code\n\n\
PROGRESS DETECTION (required):\n\
Extract current failing AC IDs from verify_fidelity.md or review outputs. \
Compare with previous iteration and note whether progress was made \
(fewer/different failing ACs) or zero progress (identical set).\n\n\
OUTCOME CLASSIFICATION:\n\
- replan: default — always routes back through planning so the plan can be \
adjusted based on this postmortem\n\
- needs_toolchain: environment/bootstrap/toolchain issue detected (routes to \
check_toolchain)\n\n\
Respond with exactly one of:\n\
{\"preferred_next_label\": \"replan\", \"context_updates\": \
{\"last_failing_acs\": \"AC1,AC7\"}}\n\
{\"preferred_next_label\": \"needs_toolchain\", \"context_updates\": \
{\"last_failing_acs\": \"AC1,AC7\"}}"
        ]
    }

    // =========================================================================
    // Edges
    // =========================================================================

    // Bootstrap
    start -> check_toolchain
    check_toolchain -> expand_spec [condition="outcome=success"]
    check_toolchain -> check_toolchain [condition="outcome=fail && context.failure_class=transient_infra", loop_restart=true]
    check_toolchain -> postmortem [condition="outcome=fail && context.failure_class!=transient_infra"]
    check_toolchain -> postmortem

    expand_spec -> plan_fanout

    // Planning
    plan_fanout -> plan_a
    plan_fanout -> plan_b
    plan_a -> debate
    plan_b -> debate
    debate -> implement

    // Implement -> Verify chain
    implement -> fix_fmt

    // Verify chain — failures go directly back to implement (errors logged to .workflow/verify_errors.log)
    fix_fmt -> verify_fmt
    verify_fmt -> gate_fmt
    gate_fmt -> verify_build [condition="outcome=success"]
    gate_fmt -> implement

    verify_build -> gate_build
    gate_build -> verify_test [condition="outcome=success"]
    gate_build -> implement

    verify_test -> gate_test
    gate_test -> verify_browser [condition="outcome=success"]
    gate_test -> implement

    verify_browser -> gate_browser
    gate_browser -> verify_artifacts [condition="outcome=success"]
    gate_browser -> implement

    verify_artifacts -> gate_artifacts
    gate_artifacts -> verify_fidelity [condition="outcome=success"]
    gate_artifacts -> implement

    verify_fidelity -> gate_fidelity
    gate_fidelity -> review_fanout [condition="context.all_acs_pass=true"]
    gate_fidelity -> implement

    // Review
    review_fanout -> review_a
    review_fanout -> review_b
    review_a -> review_consensus
    review_b -> review_consensus
    review_consensus -> exit       [label="Approved", condition="preferred_label=approved"]
    review_consensus -> postmortem [label="Rejected"]

    // Postmortem recovery routing
    postmortem -> check_toolchain [label="Toolchain", condition="preferred_label=needs_toolchain"]
    postmortem -> plan_fanout     [label="Replan"]
}
```

## Key patterns

### Debate planning with independent providers

Instead of a single plan, the workflow generates two independent plans using different models, then synthesizes them:

```dot
plan_fanout -> plan_a   // Claude Opus (Anthropic)
plan_fanout -> plan_b   // Gemini Flash (Google)
plan_a -> debate
plan_b -> debate
```

Plan A runs on Claude Opus and Plan B on Gemini Flash. A different provider for each plan means genuinely independent perspectives — different training data, different reasoning patterns, different blind spots. The `debate` node reads both plans and produces a single best-of-breed plan that resolves conflicts and picks the strongest approach for each module.

When a postmortem exists from a prior iteration, both planners and the debate node read it and adjust the plan to address every identified issue. This creates a feedback loop where each planning round is informed by the failures of the previous one.

### Six-stage verify chain

After implementation, the workflow runs a gauntlet of six automated checks. Each check is a command node followed by a conditional gate. If any check fails, execution loops back to `implement` where the agent reads the consolidated error log and fixes the specific failures:

```
implement → fix_fmt → verify_fmt → gate_fmt → verify_build → gate_build →
verify_test → gate_test → verify_browser → gate_browser →
verify_artifacts → gate_artifacts → verify_fidelity → gate_fidelity → review
```

The checks are ordered by cost — format fixing is nearly instant, builds take seconds, tests take longer, browser checks need a running server, artifact validation cross-references evidence files, and the LLM-based fidelity check is the most expensive. By failing fast on cheap checks, the workflow avoids wasting tokens on fidelity verification when the code doesn't even compile.

Each verify step appends errors to `.workflow/verify_errors.log`. When the `implement` node runs again, it reads this error log and makes targeted fixes rather than regenerating from scratch.

### Fidelity verification

The `verify_fidelity` node is an LLM-based acceptance test. It reads every acceptance criterion (AC1–AC11) from the definition of done, maps each one to concrete files in the implementation, and produces a per-criterion pass/fail verdict. This catches semantic gaps that automated tests miss — a test suite can pass while the app is missing entire features.

The fidelity node communicates its result via [context updates](/workflows/transitions#agent-transitions). It sets `all_acs_pass` to `"true"` or `"false"`, and the downstream gate routes based on that context value:

```dot
gate_fidelity -> review_fanout [condition="context.all_acs_pass=true"]
gate_fidelity -> implement
```

### Ensemble review with consensus

After all automated checks pass, two independent reviewers evaluate the implementation using different providers:

```dot
review_fanout -> review_a   // Claude Opus (Anthropic)
review_fanout -> review_b   // Gemini Flash (Google)
review_a -> review_consensus
review_b -> review_consensus
```

Both reviewers are instructed to perform **mandatory browser verification** — they must build the app, start a preview server, and verify it serves real HTML. Screenshot artifacts under 5KB are rejected as fake. This prevents the pattern where code passes static analysis but doesn't actually render.

The `review_consensus` node applies strict consensus rules:
- Both APPROVED with no critical gaps: pass
- Any critical gap from either reviewer: rejected with specific AC IDs
- Mixed verdicts: rejected with gaps enumerated

### Postmortem repair loop

When the review consensus rejects the implementation, the workflow runs a postmortem before replanning:

```
review_consensus → [Rejected] → postmortem → plan_fanout → ... → implement → verify → review
```

The postmortem node reads all available evidence (review outputs, fidelity checks, implementation logs, test evidence) and produces a structured analysis: root causes, what works and must be preserved, what failed and must be fixed, and concrete next changes. Critically, it directs targeted repair, not a from-scratch restart.

The postmortem also classifies the failure. Most failures route back through planning (`replan`), but environment issues route to `check_toolchain` for bootstrap repair:

```dot
postmortem -> check_toolchain [label="Toolchain", condition="preferred_label=needs_toolchain"]
postmortem -> plan_fanout     [label="Replan"]
```

### Bootstrap self-heal

The `check_toolchain` node has a self-heal edge for transient infrastructure failures. If Node.js or npm fail to respond due to a temporary issue, the workflow retries via a `loop_restart` edge. Deterministic failures (toolchain not installed) route to the postmortem for diagnosis:

```dot
check_toolchain -> expand_spec      [condition="outcome=success"]
check_toolchain -> check_toolchain  [condition="outcome=fail && context.failure_class=transient_infra", loop_restart=true]
check_toolchain -> postmortem       [condition="outcome=fail && context.failure_class!=transient_infra"]
```

### Model routing strategy

The stylesheet assigns models based on task difficulty:

```
*          { model: claude-opus-4-6; }        // Default: spec expansion, debate, postmortem
.hard      { model: gpt-5.3-codex; }         // Implementation: optimized for code generation
.verify    { model: claude-opus-4-6; }        // Fidelity verification: careful analysis
.branch-a  { model: claude-opus-4-6; }        // Plan A, Review A: Anthropic perspective
.branch-b  { model: gemini-3-flash-preview; } // Plan B, Review B: Google perspective
```

The `.branch-b` class uses a different provider for both planning and review. This ensures the second opinion is genuinely independent — not just a second run of the same model. The `.hard` class routes implementation to OpenAI's Codex, which is optimized for high-throughput code generation.

## Adapting this pattern

This pattern generalizes beyond React applications:

- **API implementation** — spec is an OpenAPI document, verify chain runs contract tests
- **CLI tool** — spec is a man page or usage doc, verify chain runs integration tests
- **Infrastructure** — spec is a Terraform design doc, verify chain runs `terraform plan` and policy checks
- **Library** — spec is an API surface doc, verify chain runs unit tests and type checks

The core structure is always the same: debate plan, implement, verify with escalating checks, ensemble review, postmortem on failure, loop.

To adapt for your project:

1. **Write your spec** with concrete acceptance criteria (the more specific, the better the fidelity check)
2. **Write validation scripts** for each stage of the verify chain (format, build, test, browser/integration, artifacts)
3. **Adjust the model stylesheet** for your budget and quality requirements
4. **Customize prompts** with your project's language, conventions, and file paths
5. **Tune the verify chain** — add or remove stages to match your project's quality gates

## Further reading

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="NLSpec Conformance" icon="arrows-rotate" href="/examples/nlspec-conformance">
    A simpler implement-test-fix loop for spec-driven development.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Ensemble" icon="users" href="/tutorials/ensemble">
    Multi-provider fan-out and synthesis.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Failures" icon="triangle-exclamation" href="/execution/failures">
    Retry policies, loop detection, goal gates, and circuit breakers.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Model Stylesheets" icon="palette" href="/workflows/stylesheets">
    CSS-like rules for assigning models to workflow nodes.
  </Card>
</Columns>
