From e929d7e34915595ca9ae30c96034f36cc5a4a6cb Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: James Brunton <james@stirlingpdf.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2025 16:05:18 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] Initial working version of automation support

---
 .../tools/automate/AutomationCreation.tsx     |   4 +-
 .../automate/AutomationCreationEnhanced.tsx   | 244 ++++++++++++++++++
 .../automate/DefinitionBasedToolConfig.tsx    |  62 +++++
 .../EnhancedToolConfigurationModal.tsx        | 176 +++++++++++++
 frontend/src/data/toolsTaxonomy.ts            |   3 +
 .../src/data/useTranslatedToolRegistry.tsx    |  61 ++---
 .../tools/automate/useAutomateOperation.ts    |   7 +-
 .../tools/automate/useAutomationExecutor.ts   |  79 ++++++
 .../automate/useEnhancedAutomationForm.ts     | 159 ++++++++++++
 frontend/src/utils/automationExecutor.ts      |  93 ++++++-
 .../src/utils/automationExecutorEnhanced.ts   | 151 +++++++++++
 11 files changed, 990 insertions(+), 49 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 frontend/src/components/tools/automate/AutomationCreationEnhanced.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/src/components/tools/automate/DefinitionBasedToolConfig.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/src/components/tools/automate/EnhancedToolConfigurationModal.tsx
 create mode 100644 frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useAutomationExecutor.ts
 create mode 100644 frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useEnhancedAutomationForm.ts
 create mode 100644 frontend/src/utils/automationExecutorEnhanced.ts

diff --git a/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/AutomationCreation.tsx b/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/AutomationCreation.tsx
index 5dfdc0468..ab936289e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/AutomationCreation.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/AutomationCreation.tsx
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import {
 } from '@mantine/core';
 import CheckIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Check';
 import { ToolRegistry } from '../../../data/toolsTaxonomy';
-import ToolConfigurationModal from './ToolConfigurationModal';
+import EnhancedToolConfigurationModal from './EnhancedToolConfigurationModal';
 import ToolList from './ToolList';
 import IconSelector from './IconSelector';
 import { AutomationConfig, AutomationMode, AutomationTool } from '../../../types/automation';
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ export default function AutomationCreation({ mode, existingAutomation, onBack, o
 
       {/* Tool Configuration Modal */}
       {currentConfigTool && (
-        <ToolConfigurationModal
+        <EnhancedToolConfigurationModal
           opened={configModalOpen}
           tool={currentConfigTool}
           onSave={handleToolConfigSave}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/AutomationCreationEnhanced.tsx b/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/AutomationCreationEnhanced.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..eb21844b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/AutomationCreationEnhanced.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,244 @@
+import React, { useState } from 'react';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+import {
+  Button,
+  Text,
+  Stack,
+  Group,
+  TextInput,
+  Textarea,
+  Divider,
+  Badge,
+  Alert
+} from '@mantine/core';
+import CheckIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Check';
+import InfoIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Info';
+import { ToolRegistry } from '../../../data/toolsTaxonomy';
+import EnhancedToolConfigurationModal from './EnhancedToolConfigurationModal';
+import ToolList from './ToolList';
+import IconSelector from './IconSelector';
+import { AutomationConfig, AutomationMode, AutomationTool } from '../../../types/automation';
+import { useEnhancedAutomationForm } from '../../../hooks/tools/automate/useEnhancedAutomationForm';
+
+interface AutomationCreationEnhancedProps {
+  mode: AutomationMode;
+  existingAutomation?: AutomationConfig;
+  onBack: () => void;
+  onComplete: (automation: AutomationConfig) => void;
+  toolRegistry: ToolRegistry;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Enhanced automation creation component that works with both definition-based and legacy tools
+ */
+export default function AutomationCreationEnhanced({ 
+  mode, 
+  existingAutomation, 
+  onBack, 
+  onComplete, 
+  toolRegistry 
+}: AutomationCreationEnhancedProps) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  const {
+    automationName,
+    setAutomationName,
+    automationDescription,
+    setAutomationDescription,
+    automationIcon,
+    setAutomationIcon,
+    selectedTools,
+    addTool,
+    removeTool,
+    updateTool,
+    hasUnsavedChanges,
+    canSaveAutomation,
+    getToolName,
+    getAutomatableTools,
+    isToolAutomatable
+  } = useEnhancedAutomationForm({ mode, existingAutomation, toolRegistry });
+
+  const [configModalOpen, setConfigModalOpen] = useState(false);
+  const [configTool, setConfigTool] = useState<AutomationTool | null>(null);
+
+  const automatableTools = getAutomatableTools();
+  const definitionBasedCount = automatableTools.filter(tool => tool.hasDefinition).length;
+  const legacyCount = automatableTools.filter(tool => tool.hasLegacySettings).length;
+
+  const handleToolConfig = (tool: AutomationTool) => {
+    setConfigTool(tool);
+    setConfigModalOpen(true);
+  };
+
+  const handleConfigSave = (parameters: unknown) => {
+    if (configTool) {
+      updateTool(configTool.id, { 
+        parameters: parameters as Record<string, unknown>, 
+        configured: true 
+      });
+    }
+    setConfigModalOpen(false);
+    setConfigTool(null);
+  };
+
+  const handleConfigCancel = () => {
+    setConfigModalOpen(false);
+    setConfigTool(null);
+  };
+
+  const handleSave = () => {
+    const automation: AutomationConfig = {
+      id: existingAutomation?.id || `automation-${Date.now()}`,
+      name: automationName,
+      description: automationDescription,
+      icon: automationIcon,
+      operations: selectedTools.map(tool => ({
+        operation: tool.operation,
+        parameters: tool.parameters
+      })),
+      createdAt: existingAutomation?.createdAt || new Date().toISOString(),
+      updatedAt: new Date().toISOString()
+    };
+    onComplete(automation);
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Stack gap="lg">
+        {/* Info about tool types */}
+        <Alert icon={<InfoIcon />} color="blue">
+          <Text size="sm">
+            {t('automate.enhanced.info', 
+              'Enhanced automation now supports {{definitionCount}} definition-based tools and {{legacyCount}} legacy tools.', 
+              { definitionCount: definitionBasedCount, legacyCount: legacyCount }
+            )}
+          </Text>
+        </Alert>
+
+        {/* Automation Details */}
+        <Stack gap="md">
+          <Text size="lg" fw={600}>
+            {mode === AutomationMode.EDIT 
+              ? t('automate.edit.title', 'Edit Automation')
+              : t('automate.create.title', 'Create New Automation')
+            }
+          </Text>
+
+          <Group grow>
+            <TextInput
+              label={t('automate.name.label', 'Automation Name')}
+              placeholder={t('automate.name.placeholder', 'Enter automation name')}
+              value={automationName}
+              onChange={(e) => setAutomationName(e.target.value)}
+              required
+            />
+            <IconSelector
+              value={automationIcon}
+              onChange={setAutomationIcon}
+            />
+          </Group>
+
+          <Textarea
+            label={t('automate.description.label', 'Description')}
+            placeholder={t('automate.description.placeholder', 'Describe what this automation does')}
+            value={automationDescription}
+            onChange={(e) => setAutomationDescription(e.target.value)}
+            rows={3}
+          />
+        </Stack>
+
+        <Divider />
+
+        {/* Tool Selection and Configuration */}
+        <Stack gap="md">
+          <Text size="md" fw={600}>
+            {t('automate.tools.title', 'Selected Tools')}
+          </Text>
+
+          {selectedTools.length > 0 && (
+            <Stack gap="sm">
+              {selectedTools.map((tool, index) => {
+                const toolEntry = toolRegistry[tool.operation as keyof ToolRegistry];
+                const hasDefinition = !!toolEntry?.definition;
+                
+                return (
+                  <Group key={tool.id} justify="space-between" p="sm" style={{ border: '1px solid #e0e0e0', borderRadius: '4px' }}>
+                    <Group>
+                      <Text fw={500}>{index + 1}.</Text>
+                      <Text>{tool.name}</Text>
+                      {hasDefinition && (
+                        <Badge size="xs" color="blue">Definition-based</Badge>
+                      )}
+                      {!hasDefinition && toolEntry?.settingsComponent && (
+                        <Badge size="xs" color="orange">Legacy</Badge>
+                      )}
+                      {tool.configured && (
+                        <Badge size="xs" color="green">Configured</Badge>
+                      )}
+                    </Group>
+                    <Group gap="xs">
+                      <Button
+                        size="xs"
+                        variant="outline"
+                        onClick={() => handleToolConfig(tool)}
+                      >
+                        {tool.configured 
+                          ? t('automate.tool.reconfigure', 'Reconfigure')
+                          : t('automate.tool.configure', 'Configure')
+                        }
+                      </Button>
+                      <Button
+                        size="xs"
+                        variant="outline"
+                        color="red"
+                        onClick={() => removeTool(tool.id)}
+                      >
+                        {t('common.remove', 'Remove')}
+                      </Button>
+                    </Group>
+                  </Group>
+                );
+              })}
+            </Stack>
+          )}
+
+          <ToolList
+            toolRegistry={toolRegistry}
+            onToolSelect={addTool}
+            selectedToolIds={selectedTools.map(t => t.operation)}
+            showOnlyAutomatable={true}
+            automatableToolsFilter={isToolAutomatable}
+          />
+        </Stack>
+
+        {/* Action Buttons */}
+        <Group justify="flex-end" gap="sm">
+          <Button variant="outline" onClick={onBack}>
+            {t('common.back', 'Back')}
+          </Button>
+          <Button
+            leftSection={<CheckIcon />}
+            onClick={handleSave}
+            disabled={!canSaveAutomation}
+          >
+            {mode === AutomationMode.EDIT 
+              ? t('automate.update', 'Update Automation')
+              : t('automate.create', 'Create Automation')
+            }
+          </Button>
+        </Group>
+      </Stack>
+
+      {/* Configuration Modal */}
+      {configModalOpen && configTool && (
+        <EnhancedToolConfigurationModal
+          opened={configModalOpen}
+          tool={configTool}
+          onSave={handleConfigSave}
+          onCancel={handleConfigCancel}
+          toolRegistry={toolRegistry}
+        />
+      )}
+    </>
+  );
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/DefinitionBasedToolConfig.tsx b/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/DefinitionBasedToolConfig.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..55c3e2482
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/DefinitionBasedToolConfig.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+import { Alert, Text, Stack } from '@mantine/core';
+import WarningIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Warning';
+import { ToolDefinition } from '../shared/toolDefinition';
+
+interface DefinitionBasedToolConfigProps {
+  definition: ToolDefinition<unknown>;
+  parameters: Record<string, unknown>;
+  onParameterChange: (key: string, value: unknown) => void;
+  disabled?: boolean;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Component that renders tool settings from a ToolDefinition
+ * This allows automation to work with definition-based tools automatically
+ */
+export default function DefinitionBasedToolConfig({
+  definition,
+  parameters,
+  onParameterChange,
+  disabled = false
+}: DefinitionBasedToolConfigProps) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  // Get steps from definition (handle both static and dynamic)
+  const stepDefinitions = typeof definition.steps === 'function'
+    ? definition.steps(parameters, true, false) // hasFiles = true, hasResults = false (automation context)
+    : definition.steps;
+
+  // Show all steps that aren't explicitly hidden
+  const visibleSteps = stepDefinitions.filter((stepDef) => {
+    return stepDef.isVisible !== false; // Show unless explicitly set to false (not a function)
+  });
+
+  if (visibleSteps.length === 0) {
+    return (
+      <Alert icon={<WarningIcon />} color="orange">
+        <Text size="sm">
+          {t('automate.config.noSettings', 'This tool does not have configurable settings.')}
+        </Text>
+      </Alert>
+    );
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <Stack gap="md">
+      {visibleSteps.map((stepDef) => (
+        <div key={stepDef.key}>
+          <Text size="sm" fw={500} mb="xs">
+            {stepDef.title(t)}
+          </Text>
+          <stepDef.component
+            parameters={parameters}
+            onParameterChange={onParameterChange}
+            disabled={disabled}
+          />
+        </div>
+      ))}
+    </Stack>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/EnhancedToolConfigurationModal.tsx b/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/EnhancedToolConfigurationModal.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7d20386e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/tools/automate/EnhancedToolConfigurationModal.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+import {
+  Modal,
+  Title,
+  Button,
+  Group,
+  Stack,
+  Text,
+  Alert
+} from '@mantine/core';
+import SettingsIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Settings';
+import CheckIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Check';
+import CloseIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Close';
+import WarningIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Warning';
+import { ToolRegistry } from '../../../data/toolsTaxonomy';
+import { ToolDefinition } from '../shared/toolDefinition';
+import { getAvailableToExtensions } from '../../../utils/convertUtils';
+import DefinitionBasedToolConfig from './DefinitionBasedToolConfig';
+
+interface EnhancedToolConfigurationModalProps {
+  opened: boolean;
+  tool: {
+    id: string;
+    operation: string;
+    name: string;
+    parameters?: unknown;
+  };
+  onSave: (parameters: unknown) => void;
+  onCancel: () => void;
+  toolRegistry: ToolRegistry;
+}
+
+export default function EnhancedToolConfigurationModal({
+  opened,
+  tool,
+  onSave,
+  onCancel,
+  toolRegistry
+}: EnhancedToolConfigurationModalProps) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  const [legacyParameters, setLegacyParameters] = useState<Record<string, unknown>>({});
+  const [isValid, setIsValid] = useState(true);
+
+  // Get tool info from registry
+  const toolInfo = toolRegistry[tool.operation as keyof ToolRegistry];
+  const hasDefinition = !!toolInfo?.definition;
+  const SettingsComponent = toolInfo?.settingsComponent;
+
+  // For definition-based tools, use the actual hook
+  const definitionParams = hasDefinition ? (toolInfo.definition as ToolDefinition<unknown>).useParameters() : null;
+
+  // Initialize legacy parameters
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!hasDefinition) {
+      if (tool.parameters) {
+        setLegacyParameters(tool.parameters as Record<string, unknown>);
+      } else {
+        setLegacyParameters({});
+      }
+    }
+  }, [tool.parameters, tool.operation, hasDefinition]);
+
+  // Handle parameter changes
+  const handleParameterChange = (key: string, value: unknown) => {
+    if (hasDefinition && definitionParams) {
+      definitionParams.updateParameter(key, value);
+    } else {
+      setLegacyParameters((prev) => ({ ...prev, [key]: value }));
+    }
+  };
+
+  const parameters = hasDefinition && definitionParams ? definitionParams.parameters : legacyParameters;
+
+  // Render the settings component
+  const renderToolSettings = () => {
+    if (hasDefinition) {
+      // Use definition-based rendering
+      const definition = toolInfo.definition as ToolDefinition<unknown>;
+      return (
+        <DefinitionBasedToolConfig
+          definition={definition}
+          parameters={parameters}
+          onParameterChange={handleParameterChange}
+          disabled={false}
+        />
+      );
+    }
+
+    if (!SettingsComponent) {
+      return (
+        <Alert icon={<WarningIcon />} color="orange">
+          <Text size="sm">
+            {t('automate.config.noSettings', 'This tool does not have configurable settings.')}
+          </Text>
+        </Alert>
+      );
+    }
+
+    // Legacy settings component rendering
+    if (tool.operation === 'convert') {
+      return (
+        <SettingsComponent
+          parameters={parameters}
+          onParameterChange={handleParameterChange}
+          getAvailableToExtensions={getAvailableToExtensions}
+          selectedFiles={[]}
+          disabled={false}
+        />
+      );
+    }
+
+    return (
+      <SettingsComponent
+        parameters={parameters}
+        onParameterChange={handleParameterChange}
+        disabled={false}
+      />
+    );
+  };
+
+  const handleSave = () => {
+    if (isValid) {
+      const finalParameters = hasDefinition && definitionParams ? definitionParams.parameters : legacyParameters;
+      onSave(finalParameters);
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <Modal
+      opened={opened}
+      onClose={onCancel}
+      title={
+        <Group gap="xs">
+          <SettingsIcon />
+          <Title order={4}>
+            {t('automate.config.title', 'Configure {{toolName}}', { toolName: tool.name })}
+          </Title>
+        </Group>
+      }
+      size="lg"
+      scrollAreaComponent="div"
+    >
+      <Stack gap="md">
+        <Text size="sm" c="dimmed">
+          {hasDefinition
+            ? t('automate.config.descriptionDefinition', 'Configure settings for this tool. These settings will be applied when the automation runs.')
+            : t('automate.config.descriptionLegacy', 'Configure settings for this tool using the legacy interface.')
+          }
+        </Text>
+
+        <div style={{ minHeight: '200px' }}>
+          {renderToolSettings()}
+        </div>
+
+        <Group justify="flex-end" gap="sm">
+          <Button
+            variant="subtle"
+            leftSection={<CloseIcon />}
+            onClick={onCancel}
+          >
+            {t('common.cancel', 'Cancel')}
+          </Button>
+          <Button
+            leftSection={<CheckIcon />}
+            onClick={handleSave}
+            disabled={!isValid}
+          >
+            {t('common.save', 'Save')}
+          </Button>
+        </Group>
+      </Stack>
+    </Modal>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/data/toolsTaxonomy.ts b/frontend/src/data/toolsTaxonomy.ts
index 6d2590481..b855bac1d 100644
--- a/frontend/src/data/toolsTaxonomy.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/data/toolsTaxonomy.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { ToolOperationConfig } from '../hooks/tools/shared/useToolOperation';
 import { BaseToolProps } from '../types/tool';
 import { WorkbenchType } from '../types/workbench';
 import { ToolId } from '../types/toolId';
+import { ToolDefinition } from '../components/tools/shared/toolDefinition';
 
 export enum SubcategoryId {
   SIGNING = 'signing',
@@ -41,6 +42,8 @@ export type ToolRegistryEntry = {
 	urlPath?: string;
 	// Workbench type for navigation
 	workbench?: WorkbenchType;
+	// Tool definition for definition-based tools (cast to specific type at point of use)
+	definition?: ToolDefinition<unknown>;
 	// Operation configuration for automation
 	operationConfig?: ToolOperationConfig<any>;
 	// Settings component for automation configuration
diff --git a/frontend/src/data/useTranslatedToolRegistry.tsx b/frontend/src/data/useTranslatedToolRegistry.tsx
index 68883fe92..569beea19 100644
--- a/frontend/src/data/useTranslatedToolRegistry.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/data/useTranslatedToolRegistry.tsx
@@ -9,37 +9,31 @@ import Sanitize from "../tools/Sanitize";
 import AddPassword from "../tools/AddPassword";
 import ChangePermissions from "../tools/ChangePermissions";
 import RemovePassword from "../tools/RemovePassword";
-import { SubcategoryId, ToolCategoryId, ToolRegistry } from "./toolsTaxonomy";
+import { SubcategoryId, ToolCategoryId, ToolRegistry, ToolRegistryEntry } from "./toolsTaxonomy";
 import AddWatermark from "../tools/AddWatermark";
 import Repair from "../tools/Repair";
 import SingleLargePage from "../tools/SingleLargePage";
 import UnlockPdfForms from "../tools/UnlockPdfForms";
 import RemoveCertificateSign from "../tools/RemoveCertificateSign";
-import { compressOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/compress/useCompressOperation";
-import { splitOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/split/useSplitOperation";
+// Tool definitions
+import { compressDefinition } from "../tools/definitions/compressDefinition";
+import { splitDefinition } from "../tools/definitions/splitDefinition";
+import { addWatermarkDefinition } from "../tools/definitions/addWatermarkDefinition";
+import { repairDefinition } from "../tools/definitions/repairDefinition";
+import { sanitizeDefinition } from "../tools/definitions/sanitizeDefinition";
+import { removePasswordDefinition } from "../tools/definitions/removePasswordDefinition";
+import { unlockPdfFormsDefinition } from "../tools/definitions/unlockPdfFormsDefinition";
+import { singleLargePageDefinition } from "../tools/definitions/singleLargePageDefinition";
+import { removeCertificateSignDefinition } from "../tools/definitions/removeCertificateSignDefinition";
+import { changePermissionsDefinition } from "../tools/definitions/changePermissionsDefinition";
 import { addPasswordOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/addPassword/useAddPasswordOperation";
-import { removePasswordOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/removePassword/useRemovePasswordOperation";
-import { sanitizeOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/sanitize/useSanitizeOperation";
-import { repairOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/repair/useRepairOperation";
-import { addWatermarkOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/addWatermark/useAddWatermarkOperation";
-import { unlockPdfFormsOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/unlockPdfForms/useUnlockPdfFormsOperation";
-import { singleLargePageOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/singleLargePage/useSingleLargePageOperation";
 import { ocrOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/ocr/useOCROperation";
 import { convertOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/convert/useConvertOperation";
-import { removeCertificateSignOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/removeCertificateSign/useRemoveCertificateSignOperation";
-import { changePermissionsOperationConfig } from "../hooks/tools/changePermissions/useChangePermissionsOperation";
-import CompressSettings from "../components/tools/compress/CompressSettings";
-import SplitSettings from "../components/tools/split/SplitSettings";
 import AddPasswordSettings from "../components/tools/addPassword/AddPasswordSettings";
-import RemovePasswordSettings from "../components/tools/removePassword/RemovePasswordSettings";
-import SanitizeSettings from "../components/tools/sanitize/SanitizeSettings";
-import RepairSettings from "../components/tools/repair/RepairSettings";
-import UnlockPdfFormsSettings from "../components/tools/unlockPdfForms/UnlockPdfFormsSettings";
-import AddWatermarkSingleStepSettings from "../components/tools/addWatermark/AddWatermarkSingleStepSettings";
 import OCRSettings from "../components/tools/ocr/OCRSettings";
 import ConvertSettings from "../components/tools/convert/ConvertSettings";
-import ChangePermissionsSettings from "../components/tools/changePermissions/ChangePermissionsSettings";
 import { ToolId } from "../types/toolId";
+import { ToolDefinition } from "../components/tools/shared/toolDefinition";
 
 const showPlaceholderTools = true; // Show all tools; grey out unavailable ones in UI
 
@@ -167,13 +161,12 @@ export function useFlatToolRegistry(): ToolRegistry {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="branding-watermark-outline-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
         name: t("home.watermark.title", "Add Watermark"),
         component: AddWatermark,
+        definition: addWatermarkDefinition as ToolDefinition<unknown>, // Somewhat ugly hack for the sake of prototyping
         maxFiles: -1,
         description: t("home.watermark.desc", "Add a custom watermark to your PDF document."),
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.STANDARD_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.DOCUMENT_SECURITY,
         endpoints: ["add-watermark"],
-        operationConfig: addWatermarkOperationConfig,
-        settingsComponent: AddWatermarkSingleStepSettings,
       },
       "add-stamp": {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="approval-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
@@ -187,13 +180,12 @@ export function useFlatToolRegistry(): ToolRegistry {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="cleaning-services-outline-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
         name: t("home.sanitize.title", "Sanitize"),
         component: Sanitize,
+        definition: sanitizeDefinition as ToolDefinition<unknown>, // Somewhat ugly hack for the sake of prototyping
         maxFiles: -1,
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.STANDARD_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.DOCUMENT_SECURITY,
         description: t("home.sanitize.desc", "Remove potentially harmful elements from PDF files"),
         endpoints: ["sanitize-pdf"],
-        operationConfig: sanitizeOperationConfig,
-        settingsComponent: SanitizeSettings,
       },
       flatten: {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="layers-clear-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
@@ -207,13 +199,12 @@ export function useFlatToolRegistry(): ToolRegistry {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="preview-off-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
         name: t("home.unlockPDFForms.title", "Unlock PDF Forms"),
         component: UnlockPdfForms,
+        definition: unlockPdfFormsDefinition as ToolDefinition<unknown>, // Somewhat ugly hack for the sake of prototyping
         description: t("home.unlockPDFForms.desc", "Remove read-only property of form fields in a PDF document."),
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.STANDARD_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.DOCUMENT_SECURITY,
         maxFiles: -1,
         endpoints: ["unlock-pdf-forms"],
-        operationConfig: unlockPdfFormsOperationConfig,
-        settingsComponent: UnlockPdfFormsSettings,
       },
       "manage-certificates": {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="license-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
@@ -230,13 +221,12 @@ export function useFlatToolRegistry(): ToolRegistry {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="lock-outline" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
         name: t("home.changePermissions.title", "Change Permissions"),
         component: ChangePermissions,
+        definition: changePermissionsDefinition as ToolDefinition<unknown>, // Somewhat ugly hack for the sake of prototyping
         description: t("home.changePermissions.desc", "Change document restrictions and permissions"),
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.STANDARD_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.DOCUMENT_SECURITY,
         maxFiles: -1,
         endpoints: ["add-password"],
-        operationConfig: changePermissionsOperationConfig,
-        settingsComponent: ChangePermissionsSettings,
       },
       // Verification
 
@@ -301,11 +291,10 @@ export function useFlatToolRegistry(): ToolRegistry {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="content-cut-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
         name: t("home.split.title", "Split"),
         component: SplitPdfPanel,
+        definition: splitDefinition as ToolDefinition<unknown>, // Somewhat ugly hack for the sake of prototyping
         description: t("home.split.desc", "Split PDFs into multiple documents"),
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.STANDARD_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.PAGE_FORMATTING,
-        operationConfig: splitOperationConfig,
-        settingsComponent: SplitSettings,
       },
       "reorganize-pages": {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="move-down-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
@@ -350,13 +339,12 @@ export function useFlatToolRegistry(): ToolRegistry {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="looks-one-outline-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
         name: t("home.pdfToSinglePage.title", "PDF to Single Large Page"),
         component: SingleLargePage,
-
+        definition: singleLargePageDefinition as ToolDefinition<unknown>, // Somewhat ugly hack for the sake of prototyping
         description: t("home.pdfToSinglePage.desc", "Merges all PDF pages into one large single page"),
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.STANDARD_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.PAGE_FORMATTING,
         maxFiles: -1,
         endpoints: ["pdf-to-single-page"],
-        operationConfig: singleLargePageOperationConfig,
       },
       "add-attachments": {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="attachment-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
@@ -425,24 +413,23 @@ export function useFlatToolRegistry(): ToolRegistry {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="lock-open-right-outline-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
         name: t("home.removePassword.title", "Remove Password"),
         component: RemovePassword,
+        definition: removePasswordDefinition as ToolDefinition<unknown>, // Somewhat ugly hack for the sake of prototyping
         description: t("home.removePassword.desc", "Remove password protection from PDF documents"),
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.STANDARD_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.REMOVAL,
         endpoints: ["remove-password"],
         maxFiles: -1,
-        operationConfig: removePasswordOperationConfig,
-        settingsComponent: RemovePasswordSettings,
       },
       "remove-certificate-sign": {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="remove-moderator-outline-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
         name: t("home.removeCertSign.title", "Remove Certificate Sign"),
         component: RemoveCertificateSign,
+        definition: removeCertificateSignDefinition as ToolDefinition<unknown>, // Somewhat ugly hack for the sake of prototyping
         description: t("home.removeCertSign.desc", "Remove digital signature from PDF documents"),
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.STANDARD_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.REMOVAL,
         maxFiles: -1,
         endpoints: ["remove-certificate-sign"],
-        operationConfig: removeCertificateSignOperationConfig,
       },
 
       // Automation
@@ -500,13 +487,12 @@ export function useFlatToolRegistry(): ToolRegistry {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="build-outline-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
         name: t("home.repair.title", "Repair"),
         component: Repair,
+        definition: repairDefinition as ToolDefinition<unknown>, // Somewhat ugly hack for the sake of prototyping
         description: t("home.repair.desc", "Repair corrupted or damaged PDF files"),
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.ADVANCED_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.ADVANCED_FORMATTING,
         maxFiles: -1,
         endpoints: ["repair"],
-        operationConfig: repairOperationConfig,
-        settingsComponent: RepairSettings,
       },
       "detect-split-scanned-photos": {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="scanner-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
@@ -617,12 +603,11 @@ export function useFlatToolRegistry(): ToolRegistry {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="zoom-in-map-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
         name: t("home.compress.title", "Compress"),
         component: CompressPdfPanel,
+        definition: compressDefinition as ToolDefinition<unknown>, // Somewhat ugly hack for the sake of prototyping
         description: t("home.compress.desc", "Compress PDFs to reduce their file size."),
         categoryId: ToolCategoryId.RECOMMENDED_TOOLS,
         subcategoryId: SubcategoryId.GENERAL,
         maxFiles: -1,
-        operationConfig: compressOperationConfig,
-        settingsComponent: CompressSettings,
       },
       convert: {
         icon: <LocalIcon icon="sync-alt-rounded" width="1.5rem" height="1.5rem" />,
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useAutomateOperation.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useAutomateOperation.ts
index 112bafbd2..70c9f3b3e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useAutomateOperation.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useAutomateOperation.ts
@@ -15,9 +15,11 @@ export function useAutomateOperation() {
       throw new Error('No automation configuration provided');
     }
 
-    // Execute the automation sequence and return the final results
+    console.log('🔍 Full automation config:', params.automationConfig);
+    
+    // Execute the automation sequence using the regular executor
     const finalResults = await executeAutomationSequence(
-      params.automationConfig!,
+      params.automationConfig,
       files,
       toolRegistry,
       (stepIndex: number, operationName: string) => {
@@ -31,7 +33,6 @@ export function useAutomateOperation() {
       (stepIndex: number, error: string) => {
         console.error(`Step ${stepIndex + 1} failed:`, error);
         params.onStepError?.(stepIndex, error);
-        throw new Error(`Automation step ${stepIndex + 1} failed: ${error}`);
       }
     );
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useAutomationExecutor.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useAutomationExecutor.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..70ae53e13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useAutomationExecutor.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+import { useCallback } from 'react';
+import { ToolRegistry } from '../../../data/toolsTaxonomy';
+import { AutomationTool } from '../../../types/automation';
+import { ToolDefinition } from '../../../components/tools/shared/toolDefinition';
+
+export function useAutomationExecutor(toolRegistry: ToolRegistry) {
+  const executeStep = useCallback(async (tool: AutomationTool, files: File[]): Promise<File[]> => {
+    const toolEntry = toolRegistry[tool.operation as keyof ToolRegistry];
+    if (!toolEntry) {
+      throw new Error(`Tool ${tool.operation} not found in registry`);
+    }
+
+    // Handle definition-based tools
+    if (toolEntry.definition) {
+      const definition = toolEntry.definition as ToolDefinition<unknown>;
+      console.log(`🎯 Using definition-based tool: ${definition.id}`);
+      
+      const operation = definition.useOperation();
+      const result = await operation.executeOperation(tool.parameters, files);
+      
+      if (!result.success) {
+        throw new Error(result.error || 'Operation failed');
+      }
+      
+      console.log(`✅ Definition-based tool returned ${result.files.length} files`);
+      return result.files;
+    }
+
+    // Handle legacy tools with operationConfig
+    if (toolEntry.operationConfig) {
+      // Import the legacy executor function and use it
+      const { executeToolOperationWithPrefix } = await import('../../../utils/automationExecutor');
+      return executeToolOperationWithPrefix(
+        tool.operation,
+        tool.parameters || {},
+        files,
+        toolRegistry
+      );
+    }
+
+    throw new Error(`Tool ${tool.operation} has no execution method available`);
+  }, [toolRegistry]);
+
+  const executeSequence = useCallback(async (
+    tools: AutomationTool[],
+    initialFiles: File[],
+    onStepStart?: (stepIndex: number, operationName: string) => void,
+    onStepComplete?: (stepIndex: number, resultFiles: File[]) => void,
+    onStepError?: (stepIndex: number, error: string) => void
+  ): Promise<File[]> => {
+    let currentFiles = initialFiles;
+
+    for (let i = 0; i < tools.length; i++) {
+      const tool = tools[i];
+      try {
+        onStepStart?.(i, tool.operation);
+        console.log(`🔄 Executing step ${i + 1}/${tools.length}: ${tool.operation}`);
+        
+        const resultFiles = await executeStep(tool, currentFiles);
+        currentFiles = resultFiles;
+        
+        onStepComplete?.(i, resultFiles);
+        console.log(`✅ Step ${i + 1} completed with ${resultFiles.length} files`);
+      } catch (error) {
+        const errorMessage = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error';
+        console.error(`❌ Step ${i + 1} failed:`, error);
+        onStepError?.(i, errorMessage);
+        throw new Error(`Step ${i + 1} failed: ${errorMessage}`);
+      }
+    }
+
+    return currentFiles;
+  }, [executeStep]);
+
+  return {
+    executeStep,
+    executeSequence
+  };
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useEnhancedAutomationForm.ts b/frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useEnhancedAutomationForm.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..36ae78c1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/hooks/tools/automate/useEnhancedAutomationForm.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+import { useState, useEffect, useCallback } from 'react';
+import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
+import { AutomationTool, AutomationConfig, AutomationMode } from '../../../types/automation';
+import { AUTOMATION_CONSTANTS } from '../../../constants/automation';
+import { ToolRegistry } from '../../../data/toolsTaxonomy';
+import { ToolDefinition } from '../../../components/tools/shared/toolDefinition';
+
+interface UseEnhancedAutomationFormProps {
+  mode: AutomationMode;
+  existingAutomation?: AutomationConfig;
+  toolRegistry: ToolRegistry;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Enhanced automation form hook that works with both definition-based and legacy tools
+ */
+export function useEnhancedAutomationForm({ mode, existingAutomation, toolRegistry }: UseEnhancedAutomationFormProps) {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  const [automationName, setAutomationName] = useState('');
+  const [automationDescription, setAutomationDescription] = useState('');
+  const [automationIcon, setAutomationIcon] = useState<string>('');
+  const [selectedTools, setSelectedTools] = useState<AutomationTool[]>([]);
+
+  const getToolName = useCallback((operation: string) => {
+    const tool = toolRegistry?.[operation as keyof ToolRegistry] as any;
+    return tool?.name || t(`tools.${operation}.name`, operation);
+  }, [toolRegistry, t]);
+
+  const getToolDefaultParameters = useCallback((operation: string): Record<string, unknown> => {
+    const toolEntry = toolRegistry[operation as keyof ToolRegistry];
+    if (!toolEntry) return {};
+
+    // Check if it's a definition-based tool
+    if (toolEntry.definition) {
+      const definition = toolEntry.definition as ToolDefinition<unknown>;
+      
+      // For definition-based tools, we need to get defaults from the parameters hook
+      // This is tricky because we can't call hooks here, but we can provide sensible defaults
+      // TODO: Consider creating a static defaultParameters method on definitions
+      
+      // For now, return empty object - the definition components should handle their own defaults
+      return {};
+    }
+
+    // Legacy operationConfig approach
+    const config = toolEntry.operationConfig;
+    if (config?.defaultParameters) {
+      return { ...config.defaultParameters };
+    }
+    
+    return {};
+  }, [toolRegistry]);
+
+  /**
+   * Get list of automatable tools from the registry
+   * Includes both definition-based and legacy tools with settingsComponent
+   */
+  const getAutomatableTools = useCallback(() => {
+    return Object.entries(toolRegistry)
+      .filter(([_, toolEntry]) => {
+        // Include definition-based tools OR legacy tools with settings
+        return toolEntry.definition || toolEntry.settingsComponent;
+      })
+      .map(([toolId, toolEntry]) => ({
+        id: toolId,
+        name: toolEntry.name,
+        hasDefinition: !!toolEntry.definition,
+        hasLegacySettings: !!toolEntry.settingsComponent
+      }));
+  }, [toolRegistry]);
+
+  /**
+   * Check if a tool supports automation
+   */
+  const isToolAutomatable = useCallback((operation: string) => {
+    const toolEntry = toolRegistry[operation as keyof ToolRegistry];
+    return !!(toolEntry?.definition || toolEntry?.settingsComponent);
+  }, [toolRegistry]);
+
+  // Initialize based on mode and existing automation
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if ((mode === AutomationMode.SUGGESTED || mode === AutomationMode.EDIT) && existingAutomation) {
+      setAutomationName(existingAutomation.name || '');
+      setAutomationDescription(existingAutomation.description || '');
+      setAutomationIcon(existingAutomation.icon || '');
+
+      const operations = existingAutomation.operations || [];
+      const tools = operations.map((op, index) => {
+        const operation = typeof op === 'string' ? op : op.operation;
+        return {
+          id: `${operation}-${Date.now()}-${index}`,
+          operation: operation,
+          name: getToolName(operation),
+          configured: mode === AutomationMode.EDIT ? true : false,
+          parameters: typeof op === 'object' ? op.parameters || {} : {}
+        };
+      });
+      setSelectedTools(tools);
+    } else {
+      // Creating new automation
+      setAutomationName('');
+      setAutomationDescription('');
+      setAutomationIcon('');
+      setSelectedTools([]);
+    }
+  }, [mode, existingAutomation, getToolName]);
+
+  const addTool = useCallback((operation: string) => {
+    if (!isToolAutomatable(operation)) {
+      console.warn(`Tool ${operation} is not automatable`);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const newTool: AutomationTool = {
+      id: `${operation}-${Date.now()}`,
+      operation,
+      name: getToolName(operation),
+      configured: false,
+      parameters: getToolDefaultParameters(operation)
+    };
+    setSelectedTools(prev => [...prev, newTool]);
+  }, [getToolName, getToolDefaultParameters, isToolAutomatable]);
+
+  const removeTool = useCallback((toolId: string) => {
+    setSelectedTools(prev => prev.filter(tool => tool.id !== toolId));
+  }, []);
+
+  const updateTool = useCallback((toolId: string, updates: Partial<AutomationTool>) => {
+    setSelectedTools(prev => prev.map(tool => 
+      tool.id === toolId ? { ...tool, ...updates } : tool
+    ));
+  }, []);
+
+  const hasUnsavedChanges = selectedTools.length > 0 || automationName.trim() !== '';
+
+  const canSaveAutomation = automationName.trim() !== '' && 
+    selectedTools.length > 0 && 
+    selectedTools.every(tool => tool.configured);
+
+  return {
+    automationName,
+    setAutomationName,
+    automationDescription,
+    setAutomationDescription,
+    automationIcon,
+    setAutomationIcon,
+    selectedTools,
+    addTool,
+    removeTool,
+    updateTool,
+    hasUnsavedChanges,
+    canSaveAutomation,
+    getToolName,
+    getToolDefaultParameters,
+    getAutomatableTools,
+    isToolAutomatable
+  };
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/automationExecutor.ts b/frontend/src/utils/automationExecutor.ts
index 124f065a7..6c0e15463 100644
--- a/frontend/src/utils/automationExecutor.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/automationExecutor.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,65 @@
 import axios from 'axios';
 import { ToolRegistry } from '../data/toolsTaxonomy';
-import { AutomationConfig, AutomationExecutionCallbacks } from '../types/automation';
 import { AUTOMATION_CONSTANTS } from '../constants/automation';
 import { AutomationFileProcessor } from './automationFileProcessor';
 import { ResourceManager } from './resourceManager';
 import { ToolType } from '../hooks/tools/shared/useToolOperation';
 
+/**
+ * Execute operation using a static config (for definition-based tools)
+ */
+const executeWithStaticConfig = async (
+  config: any,
+  parameters: any,
+  files: File[]
+): Promise<File[]> => {
+  if (config.toolType === ToolType.singleFile) {
+    // Single file processing - process each file individually
+    const processedFiles: File[] = [];
+    for (const file of files) {
+      const endpoint = typeof config.endpoint === 'function'
+        ? config.endpoint(parameters)
+        : config.endpoint;
+
+      const formData = config.buildFormData(parameters, file);
+
+      const response = await axios.post(endpoint, formData, {
+        responseType: 'blob',
+        timeout: AUTOMATION_CONSTANTS.OPERATION_TIMEOUT
+      });
+
+      const prefix = config.filePrefix || '';
+      const fileName = file.name.replace(/\.[^/.]+$/, '') + '.pdf';
+      const processedFile = new File([response.data], `${prefix}${fileName}`, { type: 'application/pdf' });
+      processedFiles.push(processedFile);
+    }
+    return processedFiles;
+  } else if (config.toolType === ToolType.multiFile) {
+    // Multi-file processing - single API call with all files
+    const endpoint = typeof config.endpoint === 'function'
+      ? config.endpoint(parameters)
+      : config.endpoint;
+
+    const formData = config.buildFormData(parameters, files);
+
+    const response = await axios.post(endpoint, formData, {
+      responseType: 'blob',
+      timeout: AUTOMATION_CONSTANTS.OPERATION_TIMEOUT
+    });
+
+    // Handle multi-file response (usually ZIP)
+    if (response.data.type === 'application/pdf') {
+      const fileName = files[0]?.name || 'document.pdf';
+      return [new File([response.data], fileName, { type: 'application/pdf' })];
+    } else {
+      // Extract ZIP files
+      const { extractZipFiles } = await import('./automationFileProcessor');
+      return await extractZipFiles(response.data);
+    }
+  }
+
+  throw new Error(`Unsupported tool type: ${config.toolType}`);
+};
 
 /**
  * Execute a tool operation directly without using React hooks
@@ -31,17 +85,44 @@ export const executeToolOperationWithPrefix = async (
 ): Promise<File[]> => {
   console.log(`🔧 Executing tool: ${operationName}`, { parameters, fileCount: files.length });
 
-  const config = toolRegistry[operationName as keyof ToolRegistry]?.operationConfig;
-  if (!config) {
-    console.error(`❌ Tool operation not supported: ${operationName}`);
+  const toolInfo = toolRegistry[operationName as keyof ToolRegistry];
+  const config = toolInfo?.operationConfig;
+  const definition = toolInfo?.definition;
+
+  if (!config && !definition) {
+    console.error(`❌ Tool operation not supported: ${operationName}. Missing both operationConfig and definition.`);
     throw new Error(`Tool operation not supported: ${operationName}`);
   }
 
-  console.log(`📋 Using config:`, config);
+  console.log(`📋 Using config:`, config, `definition:`, definition);
 
   try {
+    // Handle definition-based tools by extracting their static execution logic
+    if (definition && !config) {
+      console.log(`🎯 Using definition-based tool: ${definition.id}`);
+
+      // Get the static operation config from the tool's operation hook
+      // This is exported as a static config object from each tool
+      const operationModule = await import(`../hooks/tools/${definition.id}/use${definition.id.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + definition.id.slice(1)}Operation`);
+      const staticConfig = operationModule[`${definition.id}OperationConfig`];
+
+      if (staticConfig) {
+        console.log(`📋 Using static config for ${definition.id}:`, staticConfig);
+        // Use the static config to execute the operation
+        if (staticConfig.customProcessor) {
+          const resultFiles = await staticConfig.customProcessor(parameters, files);
+          return resultFiles;
+        } else {
+          // Handle single/multi-file operations using the static config
+          return await executeWithStaticConfig(staticConfig, parameters, files);
+        }
+      } else {
+        throw new Error(`Definition-based tool ${definition.id} does not have a static config`);
+      }
+    }
+
     // Check if tool uses custom processor (like Convert tool)
-    if (config.customProcessor) {
+    if (config && config.customProcessor) {
       console.log(`🎯 Using custom processor for ${config.operationType}`);
       const resultFiles = await config.customProcessor(parameters, files);
       console.log(`✅ Custom processor returned ${resultFiles.length} files`);
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/automationExecutorEnhanced.ts b/frontend/src/utils/automationExecutorEnhanced.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0281526be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/automationExecutorEnhanced.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+import { ToolRegistry } from '../data/toolsTaxonomy';
+import { ToolDefinition } from '../components/tools/shared/toolDefinition';
+import { AutomationTool } from '../types/automation';
+
+/**
+ * Enhanced automation executor that works with both definition-based and legacy tools
+ */
+export class EnhancedAutomationExecutor {
+  constructor(private toolRegistry: ToolRegistry) {}
+
+  /**
+   * Execute a single automation step
+   */
+  async executeStep(tool: AutomationTool, files: File[]): Promise<File[]> {
+    const toolEntry = this.toolRegistry[tool.operation as keyof ToolRegistry];
+    if (!toolEntry) {
+      throw new Error(`Tool ${tool.operation} not found in registry`);
+    }
+
+    // Check if it's a definition-based tool
+    if (toolEntry.definition) {
+      return this.executeDefinitionBasedStep(toolEntry.definition as ToolDefinition<unknown>, tool, files);
+    }
+
+    // Check if it has legacy operationConfig
+    if (toolEntry.operationConfig) {
+      return this.executeLegacyStep(toolEntry.operationConfig, tool, files);
+    }
+
+    throw new Error(`Tool ${tool.operation} has no execution method available`);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Execute a step using a tool definition
+   */
+  private async executeDefinitionBasedStep(
+    definition: ToolDefinition<unknown>, 
+    tool: AutomationTool, 
+    files: File[]
+  ): Promise<File[]> {
+    // Create the operation hook instance
+    const operationHook = definition.useOperation();
+    
+    // Execute the operation with the tool's parameters and files
+    await operationHook.executeOperation(tool.parameters, files);
+    
+    // Return the resulting files
+    return operationHook.files;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Execute a step using legacy operation config
+   */
+  private async executeLegacyStep(
+    operationConfig: any, 
+    tool: AutomationTool, 
+    files: File[]
+  ): Promise<File[]> {
+    // This would use the existing legacy execution logic
+    // Implementation depends on the current operationConfig structure
+    console.log('Executing legacy step:', tool.operation, tool.parameters);
+    
+    // Placeholder - return files unchanged for now
+    return files;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Execute a complete automation workflow
+   */
+  async executeWorkflow(tools: AutomationTool[], initialFiles: File[]): Promise<File[]> {
+    let currentFiles = initialFiles;
+
+    for (const tool of tools) {
+      try {
+        currentFiles = await this.executeStep(tool, currentFiles);
+        console.log(`Step ${tool.operation} completed, ${currentFiles.length} files`);
+      } catch (error) {
+        console.error(`Step ${tool.operation} failed:`, error);
+        throw new Error(`Automation failed at step: ${tool.operation}`);
+      }
+    }
+
+    return currentFiles;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Get tool information for automation UI
+   */
+  getToolInfo(operation: string) {
+    const toolEntry = this.toolRegistry[operation as keyof ToolRegistry];
+    if (!toolEntry) return null;
+
+    return {
+      name: toolEntry.name,
+      hasDefinition: !!toolEntry.definition,
+      hasLegacyConfig: !!toolEntry.operationConfig,
+      isAutomatable: !!(toolEntry.definition || toolEntry.operationConfig)
+    };
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Get default parameters for a tool
+   */
+  getDefaultParameters(operation: string): Record<string, unknown> {
+    const toolEntry = this.toolRegistry[operation as keyof ToolRegistry];
+    if (!toolEntry) return {};
+
+    if (toolEntry.definition) {
+      // For definition-based tools, we'd need to instantiate the parameters hook
+      // This is complex in a static context, so for now return empty object
+      return {};
+    }
+
+    if (toolEntry.operationConfig?.defaultParameters) {
+      return { ...toolEntry.operationConfig.defaultParameters };
+    }
+
+    return {};
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Validate that an automation workflow is executable
+   */
+  validateWorkflow(tools: AutomationTool[]): { isValid: boolean; errors: string[] } {
+    const errors: string[] = [];
+
+    for (const tool of tools) {
+      const toolInfo = this.getToolInfo(tool.operation);
+      
+      if (!toolInfo) {
+        errors.push(`Tool '${tool.operation}' not found`);
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      if (!toolInfo.isAutomatable) {
+        errors.push(`Tool '${tool.operation}' is not automatable`);
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      if (!tool.configured) {
+        errors.push(`Tool '${tool.operation}' is not configured`);
+        continue;
+      }
+    }
+
+    return {
+      isValid: errors.length === 0,
+      errors
+    };
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file