Sub-Recipes For Specialized Tasks

Sub-recipes are recipes that are used by another recipe to perform specific tasks. They enable:

• Multi-step workflows - Break complex tasks into distinct phases with specialized expertise
• Reusable components - Create common tasks that can be used in various workflows

How Sub-Recipes Work

The "main recipe" registers its sub-recipes in the sub_recipes field, which contains the following fields:

• name: Unique identifier for the sub-recipe, used to generate the tool name
• path: File path to the sub-recipe file (relative or absolute)
• values: (Optional) Pre-configured parameter values that are always passed to the sub-recipe

When the main recipe is run, Goose generates a tool for each sub-recipe that:

• Accepts parameters defined by the sub-recipe
• Executes the sub-recipe in a separate session with its own context
• Returns output to the main recipe

Sub-recipe sessions run in isolation - they don't share conversation history, memory, or state with the main recipe or other sub-recipes. Additionally, sub-recipes cannot define their own sub-recipes (no nesting allowed).

Parameter Handling

Sub-recipes receive parameters in two ways:

1. Pre-set values: Fixed parameter values defined in the values field are automatically provided and cannot be overridden at runtime
2. Automatic parameter inheritance: Sub-recipes automatically have access to all parameters passed to the main recipe at runtime.

Pre-set values take precedence over inherited parameters. If both the main recipe and values field provide the same parameter, the values version is used.

Template Variables

Parameters received by sub-recipes can be used in prompts and instructions using {{ parameter_name }} syntax.

Examples

Sequential Processing

This Code Review Pipeline example shows a main recipe that uses two sub-recipes to perform a comprehensive code review:

Usage:

goose run --recipe code-review-pipeline.yaml --params repository_path=/path/to/repo

Main Recipe:

# code-review-pipeline.yaml
version: "1.0.0"
title: "Code Review Pipeline"
description: "Automated code review using sub-recipes"
instructions: |
  Perform a code review using the available sub-recipe tools.
  Run security analysis first, then code quality analysis.

parameters:
  - key: repository_path
    input_type: string
    requirement: required
    description: "Path to the repository to review"

sub_recipes:
  - name: "security_scan"
    path: "./sub-recipes/security-analysis.yaml"
    values:
      scan_level: "comprehensive"
  
  - name: "quality_check"
    path: "./sub-recipes/quality-analysis.yaml"

extensions:
  - type: builtin
    name: developer
    timeout: 300
    bundled: true

prompt: |
  Review the code at {{ repository_path }} using the sub-recipe tools.
  Run security scan first, then quality analysis.

Sub-Recipes:

security_scan

# sub-recipes/security-analysis.yaml
version: "1.0.0"
title: "Security Scanner"
description: "Analyze code for security vulnerabilities"
instructions: |
  You are a security expert. Analyze the provided code for security issues.
  Focus on common vulnerabilities like SQL injection, XSS, and authentication flaws.

parameters:
  - key: repository_path
    input_type: string
    requirement: required
    description: "Path to the code to analyze"
  
  - key: scan_level
    input_type: string
    requirement: optional
    default: "standard"
    description: "Depth of security scan (basic, standard, comprehensive)"

extensions:
  - type: builtin
    name: developer
    timeout: 300
    bundled: true

prompt: |
  Perform a {{ scan_level }} security analysis on the code at {{ repository_path }}.
  Report any security vulnerabilities found with severity levels and recommendations.

quality_check

# sub-recipes/quality-analysis.yaml
version: "1.0.0"
title: "Code Quality Analyzer"
description: "Analyze code quality and best practices"
instructions: |
  You are a code quality expert. Review code for maintainability, 
  readability, and adherence to best practices.

parameters:
  - key: repository_path
    input_type: string
    requirement: required
    description: "Path to the code to analyze"

extensions:
  - type: builtin
    name: developer
    timeout: 300
    bundled: true

prompt: |
  Analyze the code quality at {{ repository_path }}.
  Check for code smells, complexity issues, and suggest improvements.

Conditional Processing

This Smart Project Analyzer example shows conditional logic that chooses between different sub-recipes based on analysis:

Usage:

goose run --recipe smart-analyzer.yaml --params repository_path=/path/to/project

Main Recipe:

# smart-analyzer.yaml
version: "1.0.0"
title: "Smart Project Analyzer"
description: "Analyze project and choose appropriate processing based on type"
instructions: |
  First examine the repository to determine the project type (web app, CLI tool, library, etc.).
  Based on what you find:
  - If it's a web application, use the web_security_audit sub-recipe
  - If it's a CLI tool or library, use the api_documentation sub-recipe
  Only run one sub-recipe based on your analysis.

parameters:
  - key: repository_path
    input_type: string
    requirement: required
    description: "Path to the repository to analyze"

sub_recipes:
  - name: "web_security_audit"
    path: "./sub-recipes/web-security.yaml"
    values:
      check_cors: "true"
      check_csrf: "true"
  
  - name: "api_documentation"
    path: "./sub-recipes/api-docs.yaml"
    values:
      format: "markdown"

extensions:
  - type: builtin
    name: developer
    timeout: 300
    bundled: true

prompt: |
  Analyze the project at {{ repository_path }} and determine its type.
  Then run the appropriate sub-recipe tool based on your findings.

Sub-Recipes:

web_security_audit

# sub-recipes/web-security.yaml
version: "1.0.0"
title: "Web Security Auditor"
description: "Security audit for web applications"
instructions: |
  You are a web security specialist. Audit web applications for 
  security vulnerabilities specific to web technologies.

parameters:
  - key: repository_path
    input_type: string
    requirement: required
    description: "Path to the web application code"
  
  - key: check_cors
    input_type: string
    requirement: optional
    default: "false"
    description: "Whether to check CORS configuration"
  
  - key: check_csrf
    input_type: string
    requirement: optional
    default: "false"
    description: "Whether to check CSRF protection"

extensions:
  - type: builtin
    name: developer
    timeout: 300
    bundled: true

prompt: |
  Perform a web security audit on {{ repository_path }}.
  {% if check_cors == "true" %}Check CORS configuration for security issues.{% endif %}
  {% if check_csrf == "true" %}Verify CSRF protection is properly implemented.{% endif %}
  Focus on web-specific vulnerabilities like XSS, authentication flaws, and session management.

api_documentation

# sub-recipes/api-docs.yaml
version: "1.0.0"
title: "API Documentation Generator"
description: "Generate documentation for APIs and libraries"
instructions: |
  You are a technical writer specializing in API documentation.
  Create comprehensive documentation for code libraries and APIs.

parameters:
  - key: repository_path
    input_type: string
    requirement: required
    description: "Path to the code to document"
  
  - key: format
    input_type: string
    requirement: optional
    default: "markdown"
    description: "Output format for documentation (markdown, html, rst)"

extensions:
  - type: builtin
    name: developer
    timeout: 300
    bundled: true

prompt: |
  Generate {{ format }} documentation for the code at {{ repository_path }}.
  Include API endpoints, function signatures, usage examples, and installation instructions.
  Focus on making it easy for developers to understand and use this code.

Best Practices

• Single responsibility: Each sub-recipe should have one clear purpose
• Clear parameters: Use descriptive names and descriptions
• Pre-set fixed values: Use values for parameters that don't change
• Test independently: Verify sub-recipes work alone before combining

Learn More

Check out the Goose Recipes guide for more docs, tools, and resources to help you master Goose recipes.