Escalate blocked sub-tasks by identifying root cause, determining resolution path (user input, different agent, or architectural decision), and routing accordingly. Triggers: escalate, unblock, stuck task, blocked task, resolve blocker
blocked status for more than one dispatch cycleswarm-progress-track identified blockers that need resolutionstate/task-tree.md has tasks with status blockeddocumentation/MULTI_AGENT_ROUTING.md are availableRead state/task-tree.md and list all tasks with status blocked. For each, document:
Determine the root cause category:
| Category | Description | Resolution Path |
|---|---|---|
| Dependency | Predecessor task not yet complete | Prioritise the predecessor |
| Missing Input | Needs information from user | Ask the user directly |
| Wrong Agent | Assigned agent lacks capability | Reassign to correct specialist |
| Technical | Bug, infra failure, or tooling issue | Route to devops or debug |
| Architectural | Needs a design decision first | Route to solution-architect |
| External | Waiting on third-party service or API | Document and set a reminder |
Dependency blockers: Check if the predecessor can be fast-tracked. If it has its own blockers, escalate recursively. If a circular dependency exists, flag for architectural review.
Missing input: Formulate a specific, concise question for the user. Include context so the user can answer without re-reading the entire task tree. Present as a numbered list if multiple inputs are needed.
Wrong agent: Update the task assignment in state/task-tree.md. Move the task back to pending with the new agent. Log the reassignment.
Technical: Dispatch to devops-specialist for infrastructure issues or the original agent with additional debugging context.
Architectural: Invoke solution-architect with the decision needed. Document the options and tradeoffs. Block downstream until resolved.
Take the appropriate action immediately:
blocked to pending or active as appropriate## Escalation Report — [timestamp]
| Task ID | Blocker Type | Action Taken | New Status |
|---------|-------------|-------------|------------|
| T3 | dependency | Prioritised T2 | pending |
| T5 | missing input | Asked user | blocked (awaiting) |
state/task-tree.md with new statuses and reassignmentsstate/STATE.mdlogs/claude_log.mdstate/STATE.mdstate/task-tree.md with resolved or re-routed tasks