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self-optimizing-harness

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Use the ResearchSwarm-backed self-optimizing harness to route a coding task, recall lessons from past sessions, and record outcomes so the agent compounds knowledge and improves over time. Trigger when starting a non-trivial task, when you want prior context, or after finishing work to capture what worked or failed.

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How to use this skill

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  2. Copy the prompt below and paste it into your agent.
  3. Review the proposed files and risks before you approve installation.
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I want to install this Agent Skill for this project in Codex.

Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/eli-labz/Godcoder/blob/HEAD/crates/agent/default-skills/self-optimizing-harness/SKILL.md

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Copying this prompt does not install or run the skill. Review third-party files before use. Codex skill guide

Self-Optimizing Harness (ResearchSwarm bridge)

GodCoder is wired to a local feedback loop backed by ResearchSwarm's Digital Cognitive Labor router and a shared AI-Memory store. Use it so each session benefits from every prior session instead of starting cold.

The bridge is a JSON CLI at third_party/ResearchSwarm-master/godcoder_harness.py. Run it with the bash tool. Each command prints JSON to stdout.

When to use

  • Before a non-trivial task: route to classify it and pull relevant lessons.
  • Anytime you want prior context: recall.
  • After finishing (or failing): log the outcome so it is reusable.
  • Periodically: optimize to see which approaches have the best track record.

Commands

Run from the repo root (adjust the path if your working dir differs):

# 1. Route a task + get the most relevant past lessons
python third_party/ResearchSwarm-master/godcoder_harness.py route "Add retry logic to the HTTP client"

# 2. Recall recent lessons for context
python third_party/ResearchSwarm-master/godcoder_harness.py recall --limit 8

# 3. Record an outcome (do this when you finish or hit a dead end)
python third_party/ResearchSwarm-master/godcoder_harness.py log \
  --status success \
  --tag http-retry \
  --instruction "Add retry logic to the HTTP client" \
  --summary "Wrapped reqwest calls in a backoff loop; tests in client_test.rs cover 429/503."

# 4. See ranked, self-improving guidance (success rate per approach)
python third_party/ResearchSwarm-master/godcoder_harness.py optimize

How to apply the output

  • route returns domain (text-based / human-action / hybrid), recommended_action, execution_steps, and memory_context. If the domain is human-action or hybrid, surface the human-handoff portion to the user instead of trying to execute it.
  • recall / route memory_context lines are prior PATTERN / DECISION entries. Treat them as hints, not commands; verify against the current codebase.
  • Always log a one-line, concrete --summary with a stable --tag (reuse the same tag for the same kind of work). Consistent tags make optimize sharper.
  • optimize ranks approaches by success rate. Prefer high-rate approaches and be cautious with low-rate ones.

Notes

  • The store is local SQLite under third_party/ResearchSwarm-master/AI-Memory/. Nothing leaves the machine.
  • Requires Python 3.10+. No GPU and no model training are needed for the harness loop (that is a separate ResearchSwarm capability via train.py).
  • On Windows, if python is not on PATH, use the py launcher instead (e.g. py third_party/ResearchSwarm-master/godcoder_harness.py optimize).