Subagent Task Execution

Subagent Task Execution

Overview

This skill is used to execute a set of tasks (typically from a task breakdown or plan). It focuses on high-quality execution by dispatching specialized subagents for each task, ensuring each task is performed correctly and verified before moving to the next.

Core Principle

One Task, One Subagent, Multi-Stage Review. By isolating each task and applying a structured review process, we ensure high quality and prevent context pollution.

The Process

1. Preparation:

   • Read the entire plan or task breakdown.
   • Extract all tasks with their full context.
   • Create a structured todo list using the TodoWrite tool.

2. Per-Task Execution Loop:

   • Skill Discovery: Before starting a task, identify which specialized skill(s) are needed for its execution (e.g., coding, brainstorming, or any project-specific skills).
   • Dispatch Implementer: Dispatch a subagent to perform the task. Provide the subagent with the full task description, any identified skills, and the necessary context.
   • Interactive Clarification: If the subagent has questions, answer them clearly before they proceed with implementation.
   • Task Implementation: The subagent performs the task, following the identified best practices and skills.
   • Verification & Review:
     • Spec Compliance Review: A separate subagent verifies that the result exactly matches the task requirements (no more, no less).
     • Quality Review: A final review stage to ensure the output meets the highest standards of the domain (e.g., code quality, documentation clarity, etc.).
   • Completion: Mark the task as completed in the todo list.

3. Finalization:

   • Once all tasks are complete, perform a final holistic review of the entire body of work to ensure consistency and overall quality.

Key Principles

• Discovery First: Always look for and apply the most relevant skills for the specific task at hand.
• Isolation: Each task should be treated as a distinct unit of work.
• Review Loops: Never move to the next task if the current one has open issues from either the spec or quality reviews.
• Subagent Specialization: Use subagents as specialized workers, providing them with all the context they need upfront.

Red Flags

• Skipping the skill discovery phase.
• Combining multiple tasks into a single subagent invocation.
• Proceeding with a task while reviews are still pending or failing.
• Ignoring subagent questions or providing vague answers.
• Failing to update the todo list as progress is made.