Agent-Skills.md

Agent Skills: Skill: Template Method

Use when an algorithm skeleton is stable but specific steps must vary across implementations without duplicating workflow structure.

UncategorizedID: zenobi-us/dotfiles/template-method

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zenobi-us/dotfiles
zenobi-usLicense: MIT
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pnpm dlx add-skill https://github.com/zenobi-us/dotfiles/tree/HEAD/devtools/files/pi/agent/bundles/developer/skills/software-design/template-method

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devtools/files/pi/agent/bundles/developer/skills/software-design/template-method/SKILL.md

Skill Metadata

Name
template-method
Description
Use when an algorithm skeleton is stable but specific steps must vary across implementations without duplicating workflow structure.

Skill: Template Method

Intent

Define an algorithm skeleton in a base type and defer selected steps to subclasses. This preserves invariant workflow order while allowing controlled customization points.

Applicability Signals

  • Signal 1: Similar workflows duplicate step ordering but vary in a few operations.
  • Signal 2: Shared pre/post steps must remain consistent across variants.
  • Signal 3: Teams need guardrails to prevent reordering critical steps in variant implementations.

Contraindications

  • Case 1: Workflow sequence itself must vary frequently across variants.
  • Case 2: Inheritance hierarchies are already deep and brittle.
  • Case 3: Composition (strategy/delegates) provides cleaner customization than subclass overrides.

Decision Heuristics

  • If overall procedure is stable and step overrides are bounded, prefer Template Method.
  • If runtime swapping of algorithms is required, Strategy is usually better.
  • Decision anti-bias note: do not force inheritance when behavior variation can be injected more simply.

Implementation Checklist

  • [ ] Define base class template method enforcing invariant step order.
  • [ ] Mark mandatory variable steps as abstract; optional hooks with safe defaults.
  • [ ] Keep invariants/non-overridable steps protected from subclass bypass.
  • [ ] Implement concrete subclasses for each required variant.
  • [ ] Test both shared invariants and per-subclass step behavior.

Misuse Checks

  • Misuse 1: Subclasses override template method and break ordering → Remediation: make template method final/non-overridable where language allows.
  • Misuse 2: Base class accumulates unrelated hooks → Remediation: split template by cohesive workflow boundaries.
  • Misuse 3: Subclasses duplicate common logic despite base support → Remediation: extract shared logic back into base invariant steps.

Verification Rubric

  • Correctness:
    • [ ] Template executes required steps in correct order.
    • [ ] Concrete subclasses customize only intended variation points.
  • Design quality:
    • [ ] Invariants are explicit and enforced by base type.
    • [ ] Subclass responsibilities are narrow and readable.
  • Regression safety:
    • [ ] Tests cover base skeleton order plus at least one subclass override path.

Language-Specific Adaptations (Optional)

  • TypeScript: use abstract base classes with protected hooks and public final orchestration method.
  • Python: use ABC base template and optional hook methods for extension points.
  • Go: emulate template-method structure with embedded types plus explicit orchestration function.

Related Patterns (Optional)

  • Strategy: strategy composes interchangeable algorithms; template method uses inheritance-controlled variation.
  • Factory Method: often embedded as one overridable step inside a template workflow.

Attribution & Sources

  • Source Site: Refactoring.Guru
  • Source URLs:
    • https://refactoring.guru/design-patterns/template-method
    • https://refactoring.guru/design-patterns
  • Derivation Note: Concepts derived from referenced sources; explanatory wording rewritten for this repository.
  • Policy Note: This artifact intentionally includes no direct quotes and no Refactoring.Guru images.