The Orchestrator Pattern

How do you stop an AI from ignoring half your custom instructions when you hand it a complex, multi-step task?

The Approach

You stop dumping a massive wall of text into the prompt window and start treating the AI like a literal router. I normally setup projects. By using a central plan.md file to sequence your separate sub-files, you force the model to process one narrow constraint at a time.

Put something like this into a Google Gem/Claude Project:

I am assigning you a multi-step writing task. Before you generate any output, read `plan.md`.
`plan.md` contains the exact sequence of steps you must follow as the orchestrator.
It will explicitly tell you when to reference `structure.md` for formatting rules, and when to reference `voice.md` for style constraints.
Do not skip ahead. Do not execute Step 2 until Step 1 is entirely complete. 

Step 1 - The first step is always human. You have to map out your dependencies before you hit enter. Figure out exactly what the AI needs to know for structure, what it needs for style, and drop those into separate markdown files. If you just dump everything into one mega-prompt without a plan, you are just running the slot machine.

Step 2 - Put it into the AI with these instructions to establish the routing rules:

Read the attached files. Follow the sequence in `plan.md` exactly.
Step 1: Build the outline using only the constraints in `structure.md`. Stop and wait for my approval.
Step 2: Ask me 10 questions about the article to ensure I understand it.

Step 3 - Extend and re-iterate using these instructions when the AI inevitably loses focus:

The draft drifted off track in paragraph three. Look back at Step 2 of `plan.md`. Re-apply the constraints from 'workflowprocess.md'

Developed by Phillip Alcock, Co-Founder PBL Future Labs

About the Author:

Phillip Alcock is an AI in education strategist, consultant, and curriculum designer. He focuses on building practical, zero-BS workflows that help educators and professionals actually use AI without losing their minds or their voice. Find more frameworks at PhillipAlcock.com.