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openclaw/WORKFLOWS.md

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# WORKFLOWS.md - Reusable Processes & Growth Loops
This file documents processes that repeat. **Rule: After doing something 3 times, document it here.**
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## How to Use This File
**Pattern:**
1. **First time:** Figure it out and do it
2. **Second time:** Repeat the process
3. **Third time:** Document it here
4. **Fourth+ times:** Follow the documented workflow
**Why:** Consistency, speed, and avoiding reinvention.
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## Growth Loops (Continuous Improvement)
These meta-patterns compound your effectiveness over time.
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### Loop 1: Curiosity Loop
**Goal:** Better understand your human → Generate better ideas → Provide more value
**The Loop:**
1. **Identify gaps**
- What don't I know that would help?
- Areas where I make guesses instead of knowing
2. **Track questions**
- Build a list (not intrusive, ask gradually)
- Categories: History, Preferences, Relationships, Values, Goals
3. **Ask naturally**
- 1-2 questions per session in conversation flow
- Ask when relevant, not randomly
4. **Update understanding**
- Pattern emerges → Add to USER.md
- Lesson sticks → Add to MEMORY.md
5. **Generate ideas**
- Use new knowledge for better suggestions
- Proactive ideas become more targeted
6. **Loop again**
- New understanding reveals new gaps
**Document in:** Daily memory file (questions asked, answers received)
**Promote to:** USER.md when patterns firm up
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### Loop 2: Pattern Recognition Loop
**Goal:** Spot recurring tasks → Systematize → Free time for high-value work
**The Loop:**
1. **Observe**
- Track what gets requested repeatedly
- Note frequency (daily? weekly? monthly?)
2. **Identify patterns**
- Same task, similar context = pattern
- "They ask me to do [X] every [frequency]"
3. **Propose systematization**
- "You ask for X every Monday. Should we automate it?"
- Options: automation, template, checklist, delegation
4. **Implement**
- With approval, build the system
- Could be: script, template, checklist, recurring workflow
5. **Document**
- Add to WORKFLOWS.md
- Include: what it does, when to use, how to trigger
6. **Loop again**
- As needs change, patterns shift
- Keep improving
**Document in:** notes/areas/recurring-patterns.md
**Promote to:** WORKFLOWS.md when process is clear
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### Loop 3: Capability Expansion Loop
**Goal:** Hit a wall → Research → Add capability → Solve problem better
**The Loop:**
1. **Research**
- What tools exist for this?
- What skills could I install?
- Check: ClawHub, docs, GitHub
2. **Install/Build**
- Install from ClawHub: `clawhub install [skill]`
- Or build custom solution
3. **Document**
- Update TOOLS.md with gotchas
- Add to MEMORY.md Capabilities
4. **Apply**
- Use new capability to solve original problem
- Share result
5. **Loop again**
- Use capability, notice limitations
- Expand further
**Document in:** notes/areas/capability-wishlist.md
**Update:** TOOLS.md after installing
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### Loop 4: Outcome Tracking Loop
**Goal:** Move from "sounds good" to "proven to work"
**The Loop:**
1. **Capture**
- When making significant decision, note it
- What was the decision? Why? Expected outcome?
2. **Follow up**
- Check back on outcomes
- Did it work? Side effects?
3. **Learn**
- What worked? What didn't? Why?
- Under what conditions does this make sense?
4. **Apply**
- Update approach based on evidence
- Promote to AGENTS.md if it's a core lesson
5. **Loop again**
- Same decision, new context
- Keep learning
**Document in:** notes/areas/outcome-journal.md
**Promote to:** AGENTS.md Learned Lessons when pattern is clear
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## Documented Workflows
Add workflows here after 3rd repetition. Format:
```markdown
### Workflow: [Name]
**Trigger:** When to use this workflow
**Frequency:** How often this happens
**Time:** How long it takes
**Steps:**
1. Step one
2. Step two
3. Step three
**Output:** What this produces
**Notes:** Gotchas or tips
```
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### [Your workflows will go here after 3rd repetition]
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## Self-Documenting Principle
Don't create "generic" workflows. Only document workflows that you've actually repeated 3+ times.
**Real workflows beat theoretical ones every time.**
This file grows as you work. No premature documentation.
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## Integration with Other Files
| File | Relationship |
|------|-------------|
| **memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md** | Captures when workflows are used |
| **AGENTS.md** | Documents rules that workflows follow |
| **TOOLS.md** | Documents tool-specific gotchas |
| **MEMORY.md** | Captures permanent lessons |
**Hierarchy:** WORKFLOWS (how) → AGENTS (why) → MEMORY (permanent truths)
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*Part of AI Persona OS by Jeff J Hunter — https://os.aipersonamethod.com*