---
name: delegation-core
description: Delegate tasks to external LLM services (Gemini, Qwen) with quota, logging, and error handling.
triggers: delegate task, external LLM, gemini, qwen, large context, offload
use_when: tasks exceed context window or need cheaper processing
do_not_use_when: task requires Claude's reasoning
category: delegation-framework
tags: [delegation, external-llm, gemini, qwen, task-management, quality-control]
dependencies:
  - leyline:quota-management
  - leyline:usage-logging
  - leyline:service-registry
  - leyline:error-patterns
  - leyline:authentication-patterns
tools: [delegation-executor]
usage_patterns:
  - task-assessment
  - delegation-planning
  - quality-validation
  - integration-workflows
complexity: intermediate
estimated_tokens: 250
progressive_loading: true
modules:
  - modules/task-assessment.md
  - modules/cost-estimation.md
  - modules/handoff-patterns.md
  - modules/troubleshooting.md
references:
  - leyline/skills/quota-management/SKILL.md
  - leyline/skills/usage-logging/SKILL.md
  - leyline/skills/error-patterns/SKILL.md
  - leyline/skills/authentication-patterns/SKILL.md
  - leyline/skills/service-registry/SKILL.md
version: 1.3.7
---
## Table of Contents

- [Overview](#overview)
- [When to Use](#when-to-use)
- [Philosophy](#philosophy)
- [Delegation Flow](#delegation-flow)
- [Quick Decision Matrix](#quick-decision-matrix)
- [Detailed Workflow Steps](#detailed-workflow-steps)
- [1. Task Assessment (`delegation-core:task-assessed`)](#1-task-assessment-delegation-coretask-assessed)
- [2. Suitability Evaluation (`delegation-core:delegation-suitability`)](#2-suitability-evaluation-delegation-coredelegation-suitability)
- [3. Handoff Planning (`delegation-core:handoff-planned`)](#3-handoff-planning-delegation-corehandoff-planned)
- [4. Execution & Integration (`delegation-core:results-integrated`)](#4-execution-integration-delegation-coreresults-integrated)
- [Leyline Infrastructure](#leyline-infrastructure)
- [Service-Specific Skills](#service-specific-skills)
- [Module Reference](#module-reference)
- [Exit Criteria](#exit-criteria)


# Delegation Core Framework

## Overview

A method for deciding when and how to delegate tasks to external LLM services. Core principle: **delegate execution, retain high-level reasoning**.

## When to Use
- Before invoking external LLMs for task assistance.
- When operations are token-heavy and exceed local context limits.
- When batch processing benefits from different model characteristics.
- When tasks require routing between models.

## Philosophy

**Delegate execution, retain reasoning.** Claude handles architecture, strategy, design, and review. External LLMs perform data processing, pattern extraction, bulk operations, and summarization.

## Delegation Flow

1. **Task Assessment**: Classify task by complexity and context size.
2. **Suitability Evaluation**: Check prerequisites and service fit.
3. **Handoff Planning**: Formulate request and document plan.
4. **Execution & Integration**: Run delegation, validate, and integrate results.

## Quick Decision Matrix

| Complexity | Context | Recommendation |
|------------|---------|----------------|
| High | Any | Keep local |
| Low | Large | Delegate |
| Low | Small | Either |

**High Complexity**: Architecture, design decisions, trade-offs, creative problem solving.

**Low Complexity**: Pattern counting, bulk extraction, boilerplate generation, summarization.

## Detailed Workflow Steps

### 1. Task Assessment (`delegation-core:task-assessed`)

Classify the task:
- See `modules/task-assessment.md` for classification criteria.
- Use token estimates to determine thresholds.
- Apply the decision matrix.

**Exit Criteria**: Task classified with complexity level, context size, and delegation recommendation.

### 2. Suitability Evaluation (`delegation-core:delegation-suitability`)

Verify prerequisites:
- See `modules/handoff-patterns.md` for checklist.
- Evaluate cost-benefit ratio using `modules/cost-estimation.md`.
- Check for red flags (security, real-time iteration).

**Exit Criteria**: Service authenticated, quotas verified, cost justified.

### 3. Handoff Planning (`delegation-core:handoff-planned`)

Create a delegation plan:
- See `modules/handoff-patterns.md` for request template.
- Document service, command, input context, expected output.
- Define validation method.

**Exit Criteria**: Delegation plan documented.

### 4. Execution & Integration (`delegation-core:results-integrated`)

Execute and validate results:
- Run delegation and capture output.
- Validate format and correctness.
- Integrate only after validation passes.
- Log usage.

**Exit Criteria**: Results validated and integrated, usage logged.

## Leyline Infrastructure

Conjure uses leyline infrastructure:

| Leyline Skill | Used For |
|---------------|----------|
| `quota-management` | Track service quotas and thresholds. |
| `usage-logging` | Session-aware audit trails. |
| `service-registry` | Unified service configuration. |
| `error-patterns` | Consistent error handling. |
| `authentication-patterns` | Auth verification. |

See `modules/cost-estimation.md` for leyline integration examples.

## Service-Specific Skills

For detailed service workflows:
- `Skill(conjure:gemini-delegation)`: Gemini CLI specifics.
- `Skill(conjure:qwen-delegation)`: Qwen MCP specifics.

## Module Reference

- **task-assessment.md**: Complexity classification, decision matrix.
- **cost-estimation.md**: Pricing, budgets, cost tracking.
- **handoff-patterns.md**: Request templates, workflows.
- **troubleshooting.md**: Common problems, service failures.

## Exit Criteria

- [ ] Task assessed and classified.
- [ ] Delegation decision justified.
- [ ] Results validated before integration.
- [ ] Lessons captured.