1. pipeline.yaml — Stage Flow Config

A separate file defining the full execution sequence with explicit loops. When present, fully replaces pipeline.mode in config.yaml.

# pipeline.yaml
stages:
  - loop:
      max: 3
      until: APPROVED
      stages:
        - pm
        - pm_reviewer

  - loop:
      max: 3
      until: APPROVED
      stages:
        - architect
        - architect_reviewer

  - qa_planner
  - qa_write          # TDD: tests before code
  - tier_review
  - junior_engineer
  - senior_engineer
  - test_fix
  - reviewer
  - deploy_tester
  - deploy_fix

✅ Explicit loops  •  ✅ Any stage can be skipped by omitting it  •  ✅ Git-versionable

2. GUI Config Builder

Launched via python main.py --config-builder — opens in browser, generates pipeline.yaml.

3. How config.yaml is affected

pipeline:
  mode: standard
  # ↑ ignored — pipeline.yaml
  # takes full control

pipeline:
  mode: standard  # ✅ used
  # falls back to
  # built-in MODES