Babysitter formula-authoring

Author TOML-based Formula workflow templates that become Protomolecules and active Molecules in Gas Town's durable workflow system.

install

source · Clone the upstream repo

git clone https://github.com/a5c-ai/babysitter

Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/

T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/a5c-ai/babysitter "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/library/methodologies/gastown/skills/formula-authoring" ~/.claude/skills/a5c-ai-babysitter-formula-authoring && rm -rf "$T"

manifest: library/methodologies/gastown/skills/formula-authoring/SKILL.md

Formula Authoring

Overview

Create and manage TOML-based Formula templates that define repeatable multi-step workflows. Formulas are cooked into Protomolecules (frozen, ready to instantiate) and then activated as Molecules (durable, checkpoint-able workflows).

When to Use

Defining repeatable workflow templates
Creating multi-step processes with variable binding
Building workflows that must survive restarts
When NDI (Nondeterministic Idempotence) is needed

Process

Define formula steps and variables in TOML format
Validate formula structure and dependencies
Cook into protomolecule (resolve variables, freeze)
Test by instantiating a trial molecule
Register in the formula library for reuse

Formula Lifecycle

Formula (TOML template) -> Protomolecule (frozen) -> Molecule (active, durable)

Key Concepts

Formula: TOML-based workflow template with variables
Protomolecule: Frozen template ready to instantiate
Molecule: Active durable workflow surviving restarts
NDI: Nondeterministic Idempotence - useful outcomes from unreliable processes

Tool Use

Invoke via babysitter process:

methodologies/gastown/gastown-molecule