Ordered block steps

An ordered block is a steps: list inside a :::ordered_block id=<id> fence in skill.md. This page is the full step vocabulary. For when to reach for a block at all, see Ordered Blocks.

Step kinds

The kind is inferred from which key the step carries.

Key	Kind	What happens
`instructions:`	Conversational	The LLM converses within the step. Pair with `complete_when:`
`collect:`	Collect	The framework collects one memory entry from the user
`action:`	Action	Run `utter_*` to deliver a response, `action_listen` to wait, or `hangup` to end the conversation.
`execute_tool:`	Execute	The framework calls the tool directly, without the LLM
`noop: true`	Route	Evaluate `next:` branches and jump, with no user-visible effect
`set_memory:`	Set memory	Write literal values to memory keys
`call:`	Call	Run another block or skill, then return to this step’s `next`
`link:`	Link	Hand off to another flow and continue there
`id: END`	End	Terminate the block

Step fields

Field	Applies to	Description
`id`	all	Step identifier, unique within the block
`next`	all but `noop:` / `link:`	A step id, or a list of conditional branches
`complete_when`	`instructions:`	Condition that ends the step
`optional`	`instructions:`	The step may be skipped
`utterance`	`collect:`	Response name used to ask for the value. When that response variant declares `buttons:`, they are delivered with the ask. A `set:` payload on those buttons writes the collect field and advances this step without an LLM `set_fields` call (see Static buttons).
`description`	`collect:`	What the value means, shown to the LLM
`ask_before_filling`	`collect:`	Ask even when the value is already set
`parameters`	`execute_tool:`	Arguments; `session.*` values resolve from memory

A collect: step names its question with utterance:; an action: step names the response to deliver with action:.

Implicit `next`

A step with no next falls through to the step below it, and the last step falls through to END. Add next: where you are branching or jumping backwards.

Conditional branching

A next: branch list routes on conditions, with else: as the fallback:

- id: gate_card_selected
  noop: true
  next:
    - if: "session.card_replace.selected_card_id"
      then: check_card_eligible
    - else: card_not_found

Branches are evaluated in order and the first match wins, so put else: last. Conditions use the standard expression grammar. See Conditions.

Routability

A block’s reachability follows from the shape of the skill:

Skill shape	Blocks are
Prose + blocks (hybrid)	Internal: reached from that skill via `@block.<id>` or `call:`
Blocks only (fully controlled)	Routable: the orchestrator may enter them directly

Repeating a collect

Use this when the collect utterance is a page of dynamic buttons (buttons: {source: ...}). Handle the tap, clear the collected field, and route back to the same collect: step. You do not need a second collect or an action_listen between pages. The engine asks again and the button source runs for the new page. This block asks for an appointment time. A Next button writes slot_choice. The tool turns the page, clears that field, and the else: branch returns to collect_slot.

- id: collect_slot
  collect: slot_choice
  utterance: utter_ask_appointment_time
  next: resolve_slot

- id: resolve_slot
  execute_tool: resolve_slot_choice
  next: route_choice

- id: route_choice
  noop: true
  next:
    - if: session.appointment.selected_time != None
      then: selected
    - else: collect_slot

A time button still writes slot_choice. The tool then stores selected_time instead of clearing the field, so route_choice takes selected rather than looping.

File Reference

Language

Tools

Customizations

Runtime

Observability

Prompts

Schemas

Ordered block steps

Step kinds

Step fields

Implicit `next`

Conditional branching

Routability

Repeating a collect

See also

​Step kinds

​Step fields

​Implicit next

​Conditional branching

​Routability

​Repeating a collect

​See also

Step kinds

Step fields

Implicit `next`

Conditional branching

Routability

Repeating a collect

See also