feat(conductor): consolidate all operations behind single entry point

- add OPERATIONS table to conductor.agent.md (init, doctor, onboard,
  index, memory, telemetry, design, plan, build, verify, integrate,
  fast-track) so the conductor agent runs any named operation directly
  instead of only the full pipeline
- thin every skill file to a one-line pointer into conductor's
  OPERATIONS table, removing duplicated procedure text (contributor
  rule: no duplicated behavior in prompts/skills)
- document the operations table in README.md and AGENTS.md

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

.github/agents/conductor.agent.md

@@ -16,8 +16,38 @@ Copilot CLI are stateless (they run to completion and return one final result; t
 pause mid-task for a live human reply). Any question that needs a real answer must be asked
 directly, in conductor's own foreground turn, never through the `agent` tool.
 
+## OPERATIONS
+
+Every action this harness performs is reachable through this one agent — pick the operation
+that matches the user's request, run only its steps, then stop and report. Recognize the
+operation from an explicit name (`onboard`, `doctor`, `init`, `index`, `memory`, `telemetry`,
+`design`, `plan`, `build`, `verify`, `integrate`, `fast-track`) or from plain language
+(for example "get me up to speed here" → `onboard`, "is my setup broken" → `doctor`, "just fix
+this one small bug" → `fast-track`). When the request describes new product work with no
+named operation, run the FULL PIPELINE (`PROCEDURE` below) end to end.
+
+| Operation | Trigger | Steps |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `init` | Repair or create harness baseline | `lh init --yes` → confirm `.agents/harness.config.json` and `.agents/memory/INDEX.md` exist → `lh doctor` → report created paths and blockers only. |
+| `doctor` | Check environment, config, host capability | `lh doctor` → `lh host` if orchestration capability matters → `lh graph` if repo structure matters → report failures with exact commands and exit status → suggest the smallest next fix. Never mutate state unless asked to repair. |
+| `onboard` | New contributor/agent needs a map of harness state | `lh doctor` → `lh index --stats --budget 4000` → read `.agents/memory/INDEX.md` only → `lh graph` → summarize commands, state paths, conventions, blockers. Pull shards only if asked for deeper history. |
+| `index` | Repo understanding under a token budget | `lh index --budget <N> --focus <glob>` (default budget 4000, focus `.`) → add `--stats` when sizing/onboarding → `lh graph` when structure matters → return paths and facts, never dumps. |
+| `memory` | Read, write, or compact memory shards | `lh memory list` to inspect → `lh memory get --shard <name>` to read one → `lh memory put --shard <name>` to write durable facts → `lh memory scan` before any risky write → `lh memory compact` when a shard grows noisy. Never write secrets. |
+| `telemetry` | Start/record/end a run, or report on one | `lh run start` → `lh run event` per phase transition → `lh run end` → read `.agents/runs/<id>/board.md` for live state → `lh report <runId>` for a markdown summary. |
+| `design` | Decisions are missing or incomplete | Run inline yourself — see `DESIGN PHASE` below. Never delegate. |
+| `plan` | Decisions are complete, need spec + DAG | Read `decisions.md` → invoke `architect` for `spec.md` → invoke `splitter` for `plan.dag.json` → `lh graph` → report spec path, DAG path, acceptance ids, blockers. |
+| `build` | Lanes are planned, ready to execute | `lh host` for strategy → `lh lane create` per write lane → run builder ⇄ verifier Ralph loop per lane → record failures with `lh memory put --shard failures`. |
+| `verify` | Check commands, gates, acceptance, scope only | Invoke `verifier` for command checks → run configured verify commands → `lh graph` → check acceptance ids individually → check scope globs → return a terse pass/fail table only. Never edit files. |
+| `integrate` | Lane branches are complete, need merge | Invoke `integrator` → `lh lane merge` one lane at a time → resolve safe local conflicts, escalate conflicting acceptance criteria → one final full verify → request reviewer approval. Never merge lanes in parallel. |
+| `fast-track` | Small, unambiguous, brownfield change | Confirm it is small and brownfield (escalate to full pipeline if not) → single write lane → same Ralph loop (builder ⇄ verifier) → same journal (`.agents/runs/<id>/journal.md`) → `lh graph` → request reviewer approval before completion. |
+| *(none named)* | New feature/change, decisions not yet gated | Run the FULL PIPELINE: `PROCEDURE` steps below, start to finish. |
+
 ## PROCEDURE
 
+Run this full sequence only when no single operation above covers the request (a new feature
+or cross-cutting change). Otherwise run just the matched operation's steps from the table
+above and report — do not run the rest of this procedure.
+
 1. Run `lh doctor`.
 2. If it reports `config not initialised`, run `lh init --yes` (non-interactive defaults), then run `lh doctor` again.
 3. Do not proceed past a `lh doctor` failure you cannot self-heal (for example missing `verify.commands`); report the exact failing check and stop.

.github/skills/build/SKILL.md

@@ -5,11 +5,7 @@ description: Use when executing planned read and write lanes through lh host and
 
 # build skill
 
-1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md`.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `build` operation.
-2. Run `lh host` first through the conductor.
+2. Conductor runs only the `build` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-3. Obey parallel or sequential strategy printed by `lh host`.
-4. Use `lh lane create` for write lanes.
-5. Run builder ⇄ verifier Ralph loops.
-6. Record failures with `lh memory put --shard failures`.
 
-Stop on max Ralph iterations and escalate.
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.

.github/skills/design/SKILL.md

@@ -5,13 +5,7 @@ description: Use when starting gated design discovery before planning, especiall
 
 # design skill
 
-1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and run only its DESIGN PHASE section.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `design` operation.
-2. Require numbered questions with numbered recommended answers, asked directly in the
+2. Conductor runs only the `design` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-   agent's own turn — never delegated to a subagent.
-3. Mark one answer as recommended.
-4. Always include a freeform `Other:` option.
-5. Persist final answers to `.agents/specs/<slug>/decisions.md`.
-6. Stop until every required question is answered.
 
-Do not infer decisions. Do not start planning before the user gate. Do not write an "open
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.
-assumptions" section or any equivalent.

.github/skills/doctor/SKILL.md

@@ -5,10 +5,7 @@ description: Use when checking harness environment, configuration, host capabili
 
 # doctor skill
 
-1. Run `lh doctor`.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `doctor` operation.
-2. Run `lh host` when orchestration capability matters.
+2. Conductor runs only the `doctor` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-3. Run `lh graph` when repository structure matters.
-4. Report failures with exact commands and exit status.
-5. Suggest the smallest next fix.
 
-Do not mutate project state unless the user asked for repair.
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.

.github/skills/fast-track/SKILL.md

@@ -3,13 +3,9 @@ name: fast-track
 description: Use for a small brownfield change that can skip spec and DAG but still needs Ralph and journal discipline.
 ---
 
-# fast-track skill
+# fast track skill
 
-1. Confirm the change is small and brownfield.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `fast-track` operation.
-2. Use a single write lane.
+2. Conductor runs only the `fast-track` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-3. Keep the same Ralph loop: builder ⇄ verifier.
-4. Keep the same journal in `.agents/runs/<id>/journal.md`.
-5. Run `lh graph`.
-6. Request reviewer approval before completion.
 
-Do not fast-track ambiguous or cross-cutting work.
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.

.github/skills/index/SKILL.md

@@ -5,10 +5,7 @@ description: Use when needing repository understanding under a token budget befo
 
 # index skill
 
-1. Run `lh index --budget <N> --focus <glob>`.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `index` operation.
-2. Add `--stats` when onboarding or sizing work.
+2. Conductor runs only the `index` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-3. Prefer index output before raw reads.
-4. Follow with `lh graph` when structure matters.
-5. Read files by hand only after narrowing scope.
 
-Return paths and facts, not dumps.
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.

.github/skills/init/SKILL.md

@@ -5,10 +5,7 @@ description: Use when initializing lean harness state in a repository or repairi
 
 # init skill
 
-1. Invoke `lh init`.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `init` operation.
-2. Confirm `.agents/harness.config.json` exists.
+2. Conductor runs only the `init` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-3. Confirm `.agents/memory/INDEX.md` exists.
-4. Run `lh doctor` after initialization.
-5. Report created paths and blockers only.
 
-Delegate orchestration to `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` when initialization is part of a full run.
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.

.github/skills/integrate/SKILL.md

@@ -5,11 +5,7 @@ description: Use when planned lane branches are complete and must be merged sequ
 
 # integrate skill
 
-1. Invoke `.github/agents/integrator.agent.md`.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `integrate` operation.
-2. Merge lanes one at a time with `lh lane merge`.
+2. Conductor runs only the `integrate` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-3. Resolve local conflicts only when safe.
-4. Escalate conflicting acceptance criteria.
-5. Run one final full verify.
-6. Request final reviewer approval.
 
-Never merge lanes in parallel.
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.

.github/skills/memory/SKILL.md

@@ -5,10 +5,7 @@ description: Use when retrieving, writing, compacting, or scanning lean harness
 
 # memory skill
 
-1. Use `lh memory list` to inspect shards.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `memory` operation.
-2. Use `lh memory get --shard <name>` to read one shard.
+2. Conductor runs only the `memory` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-3. Use `lh memory put --shard <name>` to write durable facts.
-4. Use `lh memory scan` before risky writes.
-5. Use `lh memory compact` when shards grow noisy.
 
-Never write secrets to memory.
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.

.github/skills/onboard/SKILL.md

@@ -5,10 +5,7 @@ description: Use when a new contributor or agent needs a concise map of harness
 
 # onboard skill
 
-1. Run `lh doctor`.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `onboard` operation.
-2. Run `lh index --stats --budget 4000`.
+2. Conductor runs only the `onboard` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-3. Read `.agents/memory/INDEX.md` only.
-4. Run `lh graph`.
-5. Summarize commands, state paths, conventions, and blockers.
 
-Pull shards only when the user asks for deeper history.
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.

.github/skills/plan/SKILL.md

@@ -5,10 +5,7 @@ description: Use when decisions are complete and the harness must produce a spec
 
 # plan skill
 
-1. Read `.agents/specs/<slug>/decisions.md`.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `plan` operation.
-2. Invoke `.github/agents/architect.agent.md` for `.agents/specs/<slug>/spec.md`.
+2. Conductor runs only the `plan` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-3. Invoke `.github/agents/splitter.agent.md` for `.agents/specs/<slug>/plan.dag.json`.
-4. Run `lh graph`.
-5. Report spec path, DAG path, acceptance ids, and blockers.
 
-Do not build before the DAG passes structural gates.
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.

.github/skills/telemetry/SKILL.md

@@ -5,10 +5,7 @@ description: Use when starting, recording, ending, or reporting a harness run an
 
 # telemetry skill
 
-1. Start with `lh run start`.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `telemetry` operation.
-2. Record phase changes with `lh run event`.
+2. Conductor runs only the `telemetry` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-3. End with `lh run end`.
-4. Read `.agents/runs/<id>/board.md` for current state.
-5. Run `lh report <runId>` for a markdown summary.
 
-Keep event messages short and machine-readable.
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.

.github/skills/verify/SKILL.md

@@ -5,11 +5,7 @@ description: Use when checking configured commands, lh graph, acceptance criteri
 
 # verify skill
 
-1. Invoke `.github/agents/verifier.agent.md` for command checks.
+1. Invoke `.github/agents/conductor.agent.md` and ask for the `verify` operation.
-2. Run configured verify commands.
+2. Conductor runs only the `verify` row of its OPERATIONS table and reports the result.
-3. Run `lh graph`.
-4. Check acceptance ids individually.
-5. Check scope globs.
-6. Return a terse pass/fail table only.
 
-Do not edit files during verification.
+Do not duplicate conductor's steps here -- see `conductor.agent.md` section OPERATIONS for the authoritative procedure.

AGENTS.md

@@ -41,10 +41,30 @@ planned around.
 | `integrator` | strong | no | Sequential merge, conflict resolution, full verify. |
 | `scribe` | cheap | no | Journal, ADRs, living spec, conventions. |
 
-## Skills
+## Operations (all behind `conductor`)
 
-`init` `design` `plan` `build` `verify` `integrate` `onboard` `memory` `index`
+Select `conductor` once, then name the operation in plain language. Conductor runs only that
-`telemetry` `fast-track` `doctor`
+operation's steps — full step lists live in `conductor.agent.md` § OPERATIONS.
+
+| Operation | Use when |
+| --- | --- |
+| `init` | Harness state missing or `.agents/` baseline needs repair. |
+| `doctor` | Checking environment, config, or host capability. |
+| `onboard` | New contributor/agent needs a map of harness state. |
+| `index` | Need repo understanding under a token budget. |
+| `memory` | Reading, writing, or compacting memory shards. |
+| `telemetry` | Starting/recording/ending a run, or reporting on one. |
+| `design` | Decisions are missing or incomplete (gated Q&A). |
+| `plan` | Decisions complete, need spec + DAG. |
+| `build` | Lanes planned, ready to execute (Ralph loop). |
+| `verify` | Checking commands, gates, acceptance, scope only. |
+| `integrate` | Lane branches complete, need sequential merge. |
+| `fast-track` | Small, unambiguous, brownfield change. |
+| *(none named)* | New feature/change — runs the full pipeline end to end. |
+
+`.github/skills/` still ships one thin skill file per operation (`init` `design` `plan` `build`
+`verify` `integrate` `onboard` `memory` `index` `telemetry` `fast-track` `doctor`) — each is a
+one-line pointer into `conductor.agent.md`, not a separate implementation.
 
 ## `lh` commands
 

README.md

@@ -183,18 +183,41 @@ human reply), so any question that needs a real answer is asked directly, never
 > **brand-new** `copilot` session — an already-running session keeps the plugin snapshot it
 > loaded at startup and won't pick up the update until restarted.
 
+Every operation this harness performs is reachable through `conductor` — select it once, then
+name what you want in plain language:
+
+| Say to `conductor` | It runs |
+| --- | --- |
+| `onboard` | env check → repo index → memory index → graph → summary |
+| `doctor` | environment/config/host capability check, no mutation |
+| `init` | `lh init --yes` + baseline confirmation |
+| `index` | token-budgeted repo map |
+| `memory` | shard list/get/put/scan/compact |
+| `telemetry` | run start/event/end + report |
+| `design` | gated Q&A, one question per turn |
+| `plan` | spec + lane DAG |
+| `build` | worktree lanes, Ralph loop |
+| `verify` | commands + `lh graph` + acceptance/scope check, no edits |
+| `integrate` | sequential lane merge + final verify |
+| `fast-track` | small brownfield change, single lane, same Ralph/journal discipline |
+| *(anything else)* | the full pipeline, start to finish |
+
 For a small brownfield change, skip the ceremony:
 
 ```
-/fast-track fix the off-by-one in pagination
+Use the conductor agent: fast-track — fix the off-by-one in pagination
 ```
 
 To learn an unfamiliar codebase first:
 
 ```
-/onboard
+Use the conductor agent to onboard me on this repo
 ```
 
+`.github/skills/` still ships one thin skill (`/fast-track`, `/onboard`, etc.) per operation for
+convenience — each is a one-line pointer into `conductor.agent.md` § OPERATIONS, not a separate
+implementation, so behaviour never drifts between the two entry points.
+
 ## Onboarding a new project
 
 Before the plugin is published to a marketplace (or if you want to try it against a local repo