Shader Router

---
name: shader-router
description: Decision framework for GLSL shader projects. Routes to specialized shader skills (fundamentals, noise, SDF, effects) based on task requirements. Use when starting a shader project or needing guidance on which shader techniques to combine.
---

# Shader Router

Routes to 4 specialized GLSL shader skills based on task requirements.

## Routing Protocol

1. **Classify** — Identify what visual result is needed
2. **Match** — Find skill(s) with highest signal match
3. **Combine** — Most shaders need 2-3 skills together
4. **Load** — Read matched SKILL.md files before implementation

## Quick Route

### Tier 1: Core (Always Consider)

| Task Type | Skill | Primary Signal Words |
|-----------|-------|---------------------|
| Writing shaders | `shader-fundamentals` | GLSL, vertex, fragment, uniform, varying, coordinate |
| Organic patterns | `shader-noise` | noise, procedural, terrain, clouds, turbulence, organic |

### Tier 2: Specialized (Add When Needed)

| Task Type | Skill | Primary Signal Words |
|-----------|-------|---------------------|
| Shapes/geometry | `shader-sdf` | shape, circle, box, boolean, union, morph, raymarch |
| Visual polish | `shader-effects` | glow, bloom, chromatic, distortion, vignette, glitch |

## Signal Matching Rules

### Priority Order

When multiple signals present, resolve by priority:

1. **Explicit technique** — "use simplex noise" → `shader-noise`
2. **Visual goal** — "organic look" → `shader-noise`
3. **Shape need** — "rounded rectangle" → `shader-sdf`
4. **Polish need** — "add glow" → `shader-effects`
5. **Default** — Start with `shader-fundamentals`

### Confidence Scoring

- **High (3+ signals)** — Route immediately
- **Medium (1-2 signals)** — Route with `shader-fundamentals` as base
- **Low (0 signals)** — Ask: "What visual effect are you trying to achieve?"

## Common Combinations

### Procedural Texture (2 skills)

```
shader-fundamentals → Vertex/fragment setup, uniforms
shader-noise        → Noise functions, FBM
```

Wiring: Fundamentals provides shader structure, noise generates patterns.

### Stylized Shape (3 skills)

```
shader-fundamentals → Shader setup, UV handling
shader-sdf          → Shape definition, boolean ops
shader-effects      → Glow, outline, anti-aliasing
```

Wiring: SDF defines shape, effects add visual polish.

### Terrain/Landscape (2 skills)

```
shader-fundamentals → Vertex displacement, lighting
shader-noise        → Height generation, detail layers
```

Wiring: Noise generates heightmap, fundamentals handles displacement and shading.

### Holographic/Cyberpunk (3 skills)

```
shader-fundamentals → Fresnel, scanlines base
shader-noise        → Animated distortion
shader-effects      → Chromatic aberration, glitch, glow
```

Wiring: Layer multiple effects for complex visual style.

### UI/Logo Animation (3 skills)

```
shader-fundamentals → Animation timing, UV manipulation
shader-sdf          → Shape primitives, morphing
shader-effects      → Glow, dissolve, outline
```

Wiring: SDF creates shapes, effects add transitions.

### Raymarched 3D (3 skills)

```
shader-fundamentals → Ray setup, lighting math
shader-sdf          → 3D primitives, scene composition
shader-noise        → Surface detail, displacement
```

Wiring: SDF defines geometry, noise adds organic detail.

## Decision Table

| Visual Goal | Organic? | Shapes? | Effects? | Route To |
|-------------|----------|---------|----------|----------|
| Clouds | Yes | No | Maybe | fundamentals + noise |
| Logo | No | Yes | Yes | fundamentals + sdf + effects |
| Terrain | Yes | No | No | fundamentals + noise |
| Fire/smoke | Yes | No | Yes | fundamentals + noise + effects |
| UI element | No | Yes | Yes | fundamentals + sdf + effects |
| Abstract art | Yes | Maybe | Yes | all skills |
| 3D raymarch | Maybe | Yes | Maybe | fundamentals + sdf + (noise) |

## Skill Dependencies

```
shader-fundamentals (foundation)
├── shader-noise (extends fundamentals)
├── shader-sdf (extends fundamentals)
└── shader-effects (extends fundamentals)
```

- Always start with `shader-fundamentals`
- `shader-noise` and `shader-sdf` are often independent
- `shader-effects` typically applied last

## Visual Goal → Technique Mapping

| Want This | Use This |
|-----------|----------|
| Natural/organic look | Noise (FBM, turbulence) |
| Geometric shapes | SDF primitives |
| Smooth morphing | SDF smooth operations |
| Infinite patterns | SDF repetition |
| Terrain height | Noise + vertex displacement |
| Water/caustics | Noise + Worley |
| Glow/bloom | Effects (glow functions) |
| Retro/CRT look | Effects (scanlines, grain) |
| Transitions | SDF dissolve or Effects dissolve |
| Outlines | SDF or Effects (both have methods) |

## Fallback Behavior

- **Unknown technique** → Start with `shader-fundamentals`
- **No clear signals** → Ask: "Describe the visual you're trying to create"
- **Performance concerns** → Check `shader-noise` optimization tips

## Quick Decision Flowchart

```
User Request
     │
     ▼
┌─────────────────────┐
│ Writing shaders?    │──Yes──▶ shader-fundamentals (always)
└─────────────────────┘
     │
     ▼
┌─────────────────────┐
│ Organic/natural?    │──Yes──▶ + shader-noise
└─────────────────────┘
     │
     ▼
┌─────────────────────┐
│ Geometric shapes?   │──Yes──▶ + shader-sdf
└─────────────────────┘
     │
     ▼
┌─────────────────────┐
│ Visual polish?      │──Yes──▶ + shader-effects
└─────────────────────┘
```

## Reference

See individual skill files for detailed patterns:

- `/mnt/skills/user/shader-fundamentals/SKILL.md`
- `/mnt/skills/user/shader-noise/SKILL.md`
- `/mnt/skills/user/shader-sdf/SKILL.md`
- `/mnt/skills/user/shader-effects/SKILL.md`