Multi-step agent systems need ordered stages, handoffs, and failure isolation — not a single mega-prompt.
Current · updated 2026-07-22 (44d ago) · same bands as marketplace trust scorecard
The trap
Stuffing every instruction into one prompt feels simple until a mid-step fails and the whole run is garbage.
Workflow thinking
1. **Stages** with clear inputs/outputs
2. **Handoffs** that pass structured artifacts
3. **Gates** before irreversible actions
4. **Observability** per stage
Marketplace angle
Skills map cleanly to stages. Bundles package a known-good order. Compatibility graphs answer “what else do I need?”
Takeaway
Compose small, testable capabilities. Order them. Gate them.