From familiar work to buildable system
Make every handoff explicit.
Then compile the path.
id, action, tool, depends_on, duration_min, output
Compiler guaranteesUnique step IDsEvery dependency existsNo circular handoffsStages follow dependency order
Steps-
Stages-
Total work-
Critical path-
Compiled execution graph
Load structured work to begin.
Critical pathWaiting for compilation.-
Execution boundaryThis compiler validates declared structure. It does not access accounts, call tools, infer missing rules, or run the workflow.
A workflow becomes buildable when order and outputs stop living in your head.
Dependencies decide when work can begin. Independent steps belong in the same stage.
The critical path, not total work, determines the earliest possible completion time.
Cycles are not an ordering problem. They are an invalid contract the compiler must reject.