SuperClaude/Docs/Reference/advanced-patterns.md

SuperClaude Advanced Patterns

Expert-Level Coordination and Workflow Mastery: Advanced multi-agent coordination, behavioral mode optimization, and complex project orchestration patterns for experienced SuperClaude users.

Focus: Multi-agent workflows, behavioral mode mastery, complex coordination patterns, and expert-level techniques.

Table of Contents

Multi-Agent Mastery

• Agent Coordination Excellence - Advanced multi-agent workflow patterns
• Agent Selection Optimization - Precise specialist activation strategies
• Cross-Domain Coordination - Complex system integration patterns

Behavioral Intelligence

• Behavioral Mode Mastery - Context optimization and mode control
• Mode Transition Strategies - Dynamic adaptation patterns
• Context-Adaptive Behaviors - Intelligent mode selection

Complex Orchestration

• Multi-Tool Orchestration - Advanced MCP server coordination
• Enterprise-Scale Patterns - Large-scale development workflows
• Adaptive Learning Patterns - Continuous improvement strategies

See Also

• Quick Start Practices - Foundation skills and basic workflows
• Optimization Guide - Performance and efficiency strategies

Agent Coordination Excellence

Multi-Agent Workflow Optimization

Frontend + Backend + Security Coordination:

# Optimal coordination for full-stack features
/sc:implement "secure user dashboard with real-time updates"

# Automatic activation and coordination:
# 1. security-engineer: Establishes security requirements and authentication patterns
# 2. backend-architect: Designs API with security validation and real-time capabilities
# 3. frontend-architect: Creates responsive UI with security compliance
# 4. Context7 MCP: Provides official patterns for frameworks and security libraries

# Coordination benefits:
# - Security requirements integrated from the start
# - API design optimized for frontend consumption
# - Real-time features implemented with security considerations
# - Modern UI patterns with accessibility compliance

# Results: Improved security integration and faster development through coordination

Performance + Architecture + DevOps Coordination:

# System optimization requiring multiple specialists
/sc:improve "microservices platform performance under load"

# Specialist coordination:
# 1. performance-engineer: Identifies bottlenecks and optimization opportunities
# 2. system-architect: Evaluates architectural patterns and service communication
# 3. devops-architect: Assesses infrastructure scaling and deployment optimization
# 4. Sequential MCP: Provides systematic analysis and hypothesis testing

# Outcomes: Comprehensive optimization across application and infrastructure layers

Quality + Security + Documentation Coordination:

# Production readiness with comprehensive validation
/sc:analyze . --focus security --comprehensive --export production-audit

# Multi-agent validation:
# 1. security-engineer: Security audit and vulnerability assessment
# 2. quality-engineer: Quality metrics and testing completeness
# 3. technical-writer: Documentation completeness and clarity
# 4. All agents collaborate on production readiness checklist

# Value: Production-ready validation with comprehensive documentation

Advanced Agent Selection Patterns

Keyword Strategy for Precise Agent Activation:

# Generic request (suboptimal agent selection)
/sc:implement "user system"
# May activate generic backend-architect only

# Optimized request (precise agent selection)
/sc:implement "secure user authentication with JWT, rate limiting, and audit logging"
# Activates: security-engineer + backend-architect + quality-engineer
# Keywords: "secure", "authentication", "rate limiting", "audit" trigger specialists

# Domain-specific optimization
/sc:implement "React TypeScript component library with Storybook and accessibility"
# Activates: frontend-architect + technical-writer + quality-engineer
# Keywords: "React", "TypeScript", "accessibility" ensure proper specialists

Agent Hierarchy and Leadership Patterns:

# Security-led development (security requirements drive implementation)
/sc:implement "payment processing system" --lead-agent security-engineer
# Security-engineer establishes requirements, others implement within constraints

# Architecture-led development (design drives implementation)
/sc:design "microservices architecture" --lead-agent system-architect
/sc:implement "service implementation" --follow-architecture
# Architecture decisions guide all implementation choices

# Performance-led optimization (performance requirements drive decisions)
/sc:improve "high-traffic API" --lead-agent performance-engineer
# Performance considerations prioritized in all optimization decisions

Complex Project Coordination Examples

E-commerce Platform Development:

# Phase 1: Architecture and Security Foundation
/sc:design "e-commerce platform architecture" --lead-agent system-architect
# system-architect + security-engineer + devops-architect coordination

# Phase 2: Core Service Implementation
/sc:implement "user authentication and authorization service"
# security-engineer + backend-architect + database specialist

# Phase 3: Frontend Development
/sc:implement "responsive product catalog with search and filtering"
# frontend-architect + ux-designer + performance-engineer

# Phase 4: Integration and Testing
/sc:test "complete e-commerce workflow" --comprehensive
# quality-engineer + security-engineer + performance-engineer

# Agent coordination benefits:
# - Consistent security patterns across all services
# - Performance optimization integrated from design phase
# - Quality gates enforced throughout development
# - Documentation maintained by technical-writer throughout

Legacy System Modernization:

# Discovery and Analysis Phase
/sc:analyze legacy-system/ --comprehensive --modernization-assessment
# system-architect + refactoring-expert + security-engineer + performance-engineer

# Modernization Strategy
/sc:workflow "legacy modernization roadmap" --risk-assessment
# system-architect leads with support from all specialists

# Incremental Implementation
/sc:implement "microservice extraction" --backward-compatible --safe-mode
# refactoring-expert + system-architect + quality-engineer coordination

# Results: Risk-managed modernization with quality and performance improvements

Agent Selection Optimization

Precision Activation Techniques

Technology-Specific Agent Patterns:

# React/Frontend Development
/sc:implement "React component with TypeScript, testing, and Storybook documentation"
# Triggers: frontend-architect + technical-writer + quality-engineer
# Keywords: "React", "TypeScript", "testing", "Storybook" ensure comprehensive coverage

# Node.js/Backend Development
/sc:implement "Express API with authentication, rate limiting, and monitoring"
# Triggers: backend-architect + security-engineer + devops-architect
# Keywords: "Express", "authentication", "rate limiting", "monitoring" activate specialists

# Database/Performance Optimization
/sc:improve "PostgreSQL query performance with indexing and connection pooling"
# Triggers: database-specialist + performance-engineer + system-architect
# Keywords: "PostgreSQL", "performance", "indexing", "connection pooling" ensure expertise

Cross-Functional Team Patterns:

# Full-Stack Feature Development
/sc:implement "real-time chat system with React frontend, WebSocket backend, and Redis"
# Auto-coordination between:
# - frontend-architect (React UI components)
# - backend-architect (WebSocket implementation)
# - system-architect (Redis integration)
# - performance-engineer (real-time optimization)

# DevOps and Security Integration
/sc:implement "CI/CD pipeline with security scanning, automated testing, and deployment"
# Auto-coordination between:
# - devops-architect (CI/CD design)
# - security-engineer (security scanning)
# - quality-engineer (automated testing)
# - system-architect (deployment strategy)

Expert Agent Coordination Strategies

Domain-Driven Agent Selection:

# Financial Services (Security-First)
/sc:implement "payment processing with PCI compliance, fraud detection, and audit logging"
# Primary: security-engineer
# Supporting: backend-architect, quality-engineer, technical-writer
# Focus: Security and compliance drive all decisions

# High-Performance Systems (Performance-First)
/sc:implement "real-time trading platform with microsecond latency requirements"
# Primary: performance-engineer
# Supporting: system-architect, backend-architect, devops-architect
# Focus: Performance requirements drive architecture

# Developer Tools (UX-First)
/sc:implement "developer CLI with intuitive commands, comprehensive help, and error handling"
# Primary: ux-designer
# Supporting: frontend-architect, technical-writer, quality-engineer
# Focus: Developer experience drives design

Cross-Domain Coordination

Complex System Integration

Microservices Architecture Coordination:

# Service Mesh Implementation
/sc:implement "microservices with Istio service mesh, monitoring, and security"
# Multi-domain coordination:
# - system-architect: Service mesh design and communication patterns
# - devops-architect: Kubernetes deployment and scaling
# - security-engineer: mTLS, RBAC, and security policies
# - performance-engineer: Latency optimization and load balancing
# - quality-engineer: Integration testing and service contracts

# Expected outcomes:
# - Cohesive architecture across all services
# - Consistent security policies and implementation
# - Performance optimization at system level
# - Comprehensive testing and monitoring strategy

Cloud-Native Platform Development:

# Multi-Cloud Platform Strategy
/sc:design "cloud-native platform with AWS, Azure, and GCP support"
# Specialist coordination:
# - system-architect: Multi-cloud architecture and abstraction layers
# - devops-architect: Infrastructure as code and deployment automation
# - security-engineer: Cloud security best practices and compliance
# - backend-architect: API design for cloud service integration
# - performance-engineer: Cross-cloud performance optimization

# Integration benefits:
# - Vendor-agnostic architecture design
# - Consistent deployment across cloud providers
# - Unified security model across platforms
# - Performance optimization for each cloud environment

Enterprise Integration Patterns

Legacy-to-Modern Integration:

# Strangler Fig Pattern Implementation
/sc:implement "gradual legacy replacement with modern API gateway and event sourcing"
# Coordinated approach:
# - system-architect: Migration strategy and coexistence patterns
# - refactoring-expert: Legacy code analysis and extraction
# - backend-architect: Modern service design and API contracts
# - data-engineer: Data migration and consistency strategies
# - quality-engineer: Testing strategies for hybrid systems

# Migration benefits:
# - Risk-minimized modernization approach
# - Business continuity during transition
# - Gradual team skill development
# - Measurable progress and rollback capability

Multi-Team Coordination:

# Cross-Team Feature Development
/sc:spawn "enterprise customer portal spanning authentication, billing, and support"
# Team coordination pattern:
# - Team A (Auth): security-engineer + backend-architect
# - Team B (Billing): backend-architect + database-specialist
# - Team C (Support): frontend-architect + ux-designer
# - Integration: system-architect + quality-engineer across teams

# Coordination outcomes:
# - Consistent API contracts across teams
# - Shared component libraries and patterns
# - Unified testing and deployment strategies
# - Cross-team knowledge sharing and standards

Behavioral Mode Mastery

Strategic Mode Usage Patterns

Brainstorming Mode for Requirements Discovery:

# Activate for: Vague requirements, project planning, creative exploration
/sc:brainstorm "productivity solution for remote teams"
# Triggers: uncertainty keywords ("maybe", "thinking about", "not sure")

# Expected behavior:
# - Socratic questioning approach
# - Requirements elicitation through dialogue
# - Creative problem exploration
# - Structured requirements document generation

# Optimal use cases:
# - Project kickoffs with unclear requirements
# - Feature ideation and planning sessions
# - Problem exploration and solution discovery
# - Stakeholder requirement gathering

# Results: Better requirement clarity and reduced scope changes

Task Management Mode for Complex Projects:

# Activate for: Multi-step projects, complex coordination, long-term development
/sc:implement "complete microservices platform with monitoring and security"
# Triggers: >3 steps, complex scope, multiple domains

# Expected behavior:
# - Hierarchical task breakdown (Plan → Phase → Task → Todo)
# - Progress tracking and session persistence
# - Cross-session context maintenance
# - Quality gates and validation checkpoints

# Optimal use cases:
# - Enterprise application development
# - System modernization projects
# - Multi-sprint feature development
# - Cross-team coordination initiatives

# Benefits: Improved project completion rates and higher quality through structured approach

Orchestration Mode for High-Complexity Coordination:

# Activate for: Multi-tool operations, performance constraints, parallel execution
/sc:spawn "full-stack platform with React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, Redis, Docker deployment"
# Triggers: complexity >0.8, multiple domains, resource optimization needs

# Expected behavior:
# - Intelligent tool selection and coordination
# - Parallel task execution optimization
# - Resource management and efficiency focus
# - Multi-agent workflow orchestration

# Optimal use cases:
# - Complex system integration
# - Performance-critical implementations
# - Multi-technology stack development
# - Resource-constrained environments

# Performance gains: Faster execution and better resource utilization through intelligent coordination

Manual Mode Control Strategies

Explicit Mode Activation:

# Force brainstorming mode for systematic exploration
/sc:brainstorm "well-defined requirements" --mode brainstorming
# Override automatic mode selection when exploration needed

# Force task management mode for simple tasks requiring tracking
/sc:implement "simple feature" --task-manage --breakdown
# Useful for learning task breakdown patterns

# Force introspection mode for learning and analysis
/sc:analyze "working solution" --introspect --learning-focus
# Enable meta-cognitive analysis for educational purposes

# Force token efficiency mode for resource optimization
/sc:analyze large-project/ --uc --token-efficient
# Manual activation when context pressure anticipated

Mode Transition Strategies

Dynamic Mode Adaptation

Sequential Mode Progression for Complex Projects:

# Phase 1: Brainstorming mode for discovery
Phase 1: /sc:brainstorm "project concept" --requirements-focus
# Mode: Collaborative discovery, requirements elicitation

# Phase 2: Task management mode for structured development  
Phase 2: /sc:workflow "project plan" --task-manage --breakdown  
# Mode: Hierarchical planning, progress tracking, quality gates

# Phase 3: Orchestration mode for integration
Phase 3: /sc:implement "core features" --orchestrate --parallel
# Mode: Multi-tool coordination, parallel execution, efficiency focus

# Phase 4: Introspection mode for optimization and learning
Phase 4: /sc:reflect "project completion" --introspect --lessons-learned
# Mode: Meta-cognitive analysis, process improvement, knowledge capture

# Each phase optimized for specific behavioral needs

Context-Sensitive Mode Selection:

# Startup MVP Development Context
Week 1: /sc:brainstorm "SaaS platform for small businesses" # Discovery mode
Week 2-3: /sc:workflow "MVP development plan" --6-week-timeline # Task management
Week 4-5: /sc:spawn "frontend-backend integration" --orchestrate # Coordination mode
Week 6: /sc:reflect "MVP development process" --lessons-learned # Introspection

# Enterprise Application Modernization Context
Discovery: /sc:analyze legacy-system/ --introspect --modernization-assessment
Planning: /sc:brainstorm "modernization approaches for legacy monolith"  
Implementation: /sc:workflow "microservices extraction roadmap" --enterprise-scale
Integration: /sc:spawn "microservices deployment with monitoring" --orchestrate
Optimization: /sc:analyze complete-system/ --uc --performance-focus

Advanced Mode Coordination

Multi-Mode Project Workflows:

# Open Source Contribution Workflow
Understanding: /sc:load open-source-project/ --introspect --contributor-perspective
# Deep understanding with transparent reasoning about project patterns

Planning: /sc:brainstorm "feature contribution that benefits community"
# Explore contribution opportunities with community value focus

Implementation: /sc:implement "community feature" --orchestrate --comprehensive
# High-quality implementation with community standards compliance

Review: /sc:workflow "pull request preparation" --task-manage --community-standards
# Structured approach to meet project contribution requirements

# Results: High-quality contributions aligned with community needs

Context-Adaptive Behaviors

Intelligent Context Recognition

Project Phase Adaptation:

# Early Development (Exploration Phase)
/sc:brainstorm "new product concept" --exploration-focus
# Mode automatically emphasizes:
# - Creative problem solving
# - Requirement discovery
# - Stakeholder dialogue
# - Solution space exploration

# Middle Development (Implementation Phase)
/sc:implement "core product features" --production-focus
# Mode automatically emphasizes:
# - Quality gates and validation
# - Performance considerations
# - Security integration
# - Testing and documentation

# Late Development (Optimization Phase)
/sc:improve "production system" --efficiency-focus
# Mode automatically emphasizes:
# - Performance optimization
# - Resource efficiency
# - Monitoring and observability
# - Maintenance considerations

Team Context Adaptation:

# Solo Developer Context
/sc:implement "personal project feature" --solo-optimization
# Behavior adapts for:
# - Rapid iteration cycles
# - Minimal documentation needs
# - Experimentation encouragement
# - Learning-focused feedback

# Team Development Context
/sc:implement "team project feature" --collaboration-optimization
# Behavior adapts for:
# - Code review preparation
# - Documentation standards
# - Team communication
# - Knowledge sharing

# Enterprise Context
/sc:implement "enterprise feature" --enterprise-optimization
# Behavior adapts for:
# - Compliance requirements
# - Security standards
# - Audit trails
# - Risk management

Multi-Tool Orchestration

Advanced MCP Server Coordination

Comprehensive Analysis with Full Capability Stack:

# Complex system analysis with coordinated intelligence
/sc:analyze distributed-system/ --ultrathink --all-mcp

# Activates coordinated intelligence:
# - Sequential MCP: Multi-step reasoning for complex system analysis
# - Context7 MCP: Official patterns and architectural best practices
# - Serena MCP: Project memory and historical decision context
# - Morphllm MCP: Code transformation and optimization patterns
# - Playwright MCP: Integration testing and validation scenarios
# - Magic MCP: UI optimization and component generation (if applicable)

# Expected outcomes:
# 1. Systematic analysis with evidence-based recommendations
# 2. Architecture patterns aligned with industry best practices  
# 3. Historical context preserving previous architectural decisions
# 4. Automated optimization suggestions with measurable impact
# 5. Comprehensive testing scenarios for validation
# 6. Modern UI patterns integrated with system architecture

# Performance: More comprehensive analysis and better recommendations through coordination

Specialized Tool Combinations:

# Frontend Development Optimization
/sc:implement "React component library" --magic --c7 --seq
# Magic: Modern UI component generation
# Context7: Official React patterns and best practices
# Sequential: Systematic component architecture analysis

# Backend Performance Optimization
/sc:improve "API performance" --seq --morph --play
# Sequential: Systematic performance analysis
# Morphllm: Bulk optimization pattern application
# Playwright: Performance validation and testing

# Security Audit and Hardening
/sc:analyze . --focus security --c7 --seq --serena
# Context7: Official security patterns and compliance standards
# Sequential: Systematic threat modeling and analysis
# Serena: Historical security decision context and learning

Intelligent Tool Selection

Context-Driven Tool Coordination:

# Large Codebase Modernization
/sc:improve legacy-monolith/ --serena --morph --seq
# Serena: Historical context and architectural understanding
# Morphllm: Bulk modernization pattern application
# Sequential: Systematic modernization planning and risk assessment

# Performance-Critical System Development
/sc:implement "high-frequency trading platform" --seq --c7 --play
# Sequential: Systematic performance analysis and optimization
# Context7: Industry performance patterns and best practices
# Playwright: Performance validation and load testing

# UI/UX Focused Development
/sc:implement "design system components" --magic --c7 --play
# Magic: Modern component generation with design patterns
# Context7: Official design system patterns and accessibility
# Playwright: Visual testing and accessibility validation

Enterprise-Scale Patterns

Multi-Team Coordination

Cross-Team Development Orchestration:

# Enterprise platform development coordination
/sc:spawn "enterprise platform development" --orchestrate

# Advanced coordination features:
# - Cross-team dependency management and coordination
# - Shared component library development and maintenance
# - Architectural consistency enforcement across teams
# - Quality standard alignment and cross-team validation
# - Documentation synchronization and knowledge sharing

# Implementation pattern:
Team A: /sc:implement "authentication service" --focus security --validate
Team B: /sc:implement "user interface" --magic --validate  
Team C: /sc:implement "data analytics" --focus performance --validate

# Coordination benefits:
# - Reduced duplication across teams
# - Consistent architectural patterns
# - Shared quality standards and practices
# - Accelerated development through reuse
# - Enterprise-grade scalability and maintainability

Shared Standards and Patterns:

# Organization-Wide Standards Implementation
/sc:implement "company-wide design system with React, TypeScript, and testing"
# Activates enterprise coordination:
# - frontend-architect: Component architecture and patterns
# - technical-writer: Documentation standards and guidelines
# - quality-engineer: Testing standards and automation
# - ux-designer: Design consistency and accessibility

# Standards enforcement across projects:
/sc:analyze multiple-projects/ --focus standards-compliance --enterprise-audit
# Validates consistency across:
# - Code style and patterns
# - Security implementation
# - Testing coverage and quality
# - Documentation completeness

Scalable Architecture Patterns

Microservices Ecosystem Development:

# Complete microservices platform with enterprise features
/sc:spawn "microservices platform with service mesh, monitoring, and governance"
# Comprehensive coordination:
# - system-architect: Service communication and data flow
# - devops-architect: Infrastructure and deployment automation
# - security-engineer: Service-to-service security and compliance
# - performance-engineer: Cross-service performance optimization
# - quality-engineer: Integration testing and service contracts

# Platform capabilities:
# - Service discovery and communication
# - Distributed tracing and monitoring
# - Security policy enforcement
# - Automated testing and deployment
# - Performance monitoring and optimization

Adaptive Learning Patterns

Continuous Improvement Strategies

Learning-Oriented Development:

# Advanced session management with optimization learning
/sc:load "long-term-project" --scope project

# Intelligent adaptation capabilities:
# - Development pattern analysis and efficiency optimization
# - Tool usage optimization based on project characteristics  
# - Quality prediction and proactive issue prevention
# - Performance optimization based on historical bottlenecks
# - Risk assessment and mitigation based on project patterns

# Learning cycle implementation:
Week 1: /sc:reflect "development patterns and efficiency opportunities"
Week 2: /sc:implement "optimized workflow based on pattern analysis"
Week 3: /sc:analyze "workflow optimization impact measurement"
Week 4: /sc:workflow "refined development process for next iteration"

# Results: Continuous improvement and personalized optimization through systematic analysis

Pattern Recognition and Optimization:

# Historical Analysis for Process Improvement
/sc:analyze project-history/ --pattern-recognition --optimization-opportunities
# Identifies recurring patterns:
# - Common development bottlenecks and solutions
# - Most effective agent coordination patterns
# - Optimal tool selection for specific contexts
# - Quality improvement opportunities and prevention

# Predictive Optimization
/sc:implement "new feature" --predictive-optimization --learn-from-history
# Applies learned patterns:
# - Proactive quality gate implementation
# - Optimal tool selection based on feature characteristics
# - Risk mitigation based on historical patterns
# - Efficiency optimization from previous similar work

Next Steps

Master these advanced patterns to become a SuperClaude expert:

Immediate Application:

• Practice multi-agent coordination on your current projects
• Experiment with behavioral mode optimization
• Apply complex orchestration patterns to enterprise scenarios

Skill Development:

• Optimization Guide - Performance and efficiency mastery
• Technical Architecture - Deep system understanding

Leadership and Mentoring:

• Train team members in advanced coordination patterns
• Develop organization-specific best practices
• Contribute to SuperClaude framework improvement

Community Contribution

Share Your Patterns:

• Document successful coordination strategies
• Contribute to Examples Cookbook
• Share insights in GitHub Discussions

Advanced Learning:

• Contributing Code - Framework development
• Testing & Debugging - Advanced optimization

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Your Advanced Journey:

These patterns represent the cutting edge of SuperClaude capabilities. Master them to achieve enterprise-grade coordination, optimization, and development excellence.

Mastery Indicators:

• Multi-Agent Fluency: Seamless coordination across multiple specialists
• Mode Mastery: Intelligent adaptation to context and requirements
• Tool Orchestration: Optimal MCP server combinations for complex scenarios
• Enterprise Impact: Measurable improvements in team productivity and quality