OpenAgentsControl/.opencode/context/openagents-repo/guides/external-libraries-workflow.md

Guide: External Libraries Workflow

Purpose: Fetch current documentation for external packages when adding agents or skills

When to Use: Any time you're working with external libraries (Drizzle, Better Auth, Next.js, etc.)

Time to Read: 5 minutes

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Quick Start

Golden Rule: NEVER rely on training data for external libraries → ALWAYS fetch current docs

Process:

1. Detect external package in your task
2. Check for install scripts (if first-time setup)
3. Use ExternalScout to fetch current documentation
4. Implement with fresh, version-specific knowledge

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When to Use ExternalScout (MANDATORY)

✅ Use ExternalScout when:

• Adding new agents that depend on external packages
• Adding new skills that integrate with external libraries
• First-time package setup in your implementation
• Package/dependency errors occur
• Version upgrades are needed
• ANY external library work

❌ Don't rely on:

• Training data (outdated, often wrong)
• Old documentation (APIs change)
• Assumptions about package behavior

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Why This Matters

Example: Next.js Evolution

Training data (2023): Next.js 13 uses pages/ directory
Current (2025): Next.js 15 uses app/ directory (App Router)

Training data = broken code ❌
ExternalScout = working code ✅

Real Impact:

• APIs change (new methods, deprecated features)
• Configuration patterns evolve
• Breaking changes happen frequently
• Version-specific features differ

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Workflow Steps

Step 1: Detect External Package

Triggers:

• User mentions a library name
• You see imports in code
• package.json has new dependencies
• Build errors reference external packages

Action: Identify which external packages are involved

Example:

User: "Add authentication with Better Auth"
→ External package detected: Better Auth
→ Proceed to Step 2

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Step 2: Check Install Scripts (First-Time Only)

For first-time package setup, check if there are install scripts:

# Look for install scripts
ls scripts/install/ scripts/setup/ bin/install* setup.sh install.sh

# Check package-specific requirements
grep -r "postinstall\|preinstall" package.json

If scripts exist:

• Read them to understand setup order
• Check for environment variables needed
• Identify prerequisites (database, services)
• Follow their guidance before implementing

Why: Scripts may set up databases, generate files, or configure services in a specific order

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Step 3: Fetch Current Documentation (MANDATORY)

Use ExternalScout to get live, version-specific documentation:

# Invoke ExternalScout via task tool
task(
  subagent_type="ExternalScout",
  description="Fetch Drizzle ORM documentation",
  prompt="Fetch current documentation for Drizzle ORM focusing on:
          - Modular schema patterns
          - Next.js integration
          - Database setup
          - Migration strategies"
)

What ExternalScout Returns:

• Live documentation from official sources
• Version-specific features
• Integration patterns
• Setup requirements
• Code examples

Supported Libraries (18+):

• Drizzle ORM
• Better Auth
• Next.js
• TanStack Query/Router/Start
• Cloudflare Workers
• AWS Lambda
• Vercel
• Shadcn/ui
• Radix UI
• Tailwind CSS
• Zustand
• Jotai
• Zod
• React Hook Form
• Vitest
• Playwright
• And more...

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Step 4: Implement with Fresh Knowledge

Now implement using the documentation from ExternalScout:

• Follow current best practices
• Use version-specific APIs
• Apply recommended patterns
• Reference the fetched docs in your code

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Integration with Agent/Skill Creation

When Adding an Agent

1. Read: guides/adding-agent.md
2. If agent uses external packages:
   • Use ExternalScout to fetch docs
   • Document dependencies in agent metadata
   • Add to registry with correct versions
3. Test: guides/testing-agent.md

When Adding a Skill

1. Read: guides/adding-skill.md
2. If skill uses external packages:
   • Use ExternalScout to fetch docs
   • Document dependencies in skill metadata
   • Add to registry with correct versions
3. Test: guides/testing-subagents.md

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Common Packages in OpenAgents

Package	Use Case	Priority
Drizzle ORM	Database schemas & queries	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Better Auth	Authentication & authorization	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Next.js	Full-stack web framework	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
TanStack Query	Server state management	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Zod	Schema validation	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tailwind CSS	Styling	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Shadcn/ui	UI components	⭐⭐⭐
Vitest	Testing framework	⭐⭐⭐

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Checklist

Before implementing with external libraries:

• Identified all external packages involved
• Checked for install scripts (if first-time)
• Used ExternalScout to fetch current docs
• Reviewed version-specific features
• Documented dependencies in metadata
• Added to registry with correct versions
• Tested implementation thoroughly
• Referenced ExternalScout docs in code comments

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Related Guides

• guides/adding-agent.md - Creating new agents
• guides/adding-skill.md - Creating new skills
• guides/debugging.md - Troubleshooting (includes dependency issues)
• guides/updating-registry.md - Registry management

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Key Principle

External libraries change constantly. Your training data is outdated. Always fetch current documentation before implementing.

This is not optional - it's the difference between working code and broken code.