Jesse Vincent (obra) Subagent-Driven Development
Execute plan by dispatching fresh subagent per task, with code review after each.
Core principle: Fresh subagent per task + review between tasks = high quality, fast iteration
Overview
vs. Executing Plans (parallel session):
- Same session (no context switch)
- Fresh subagent per task (no context pollution)
- Code review after each task (catch issues early)
- Faster iteration (no human-in-loop between tasks)
When to use:
- Staying in this session
- Tasks are mostly independent
- Want continuous progress with quality gates
When NOT to use:
- Need to review plan first (use executing-plans)
- Tasks are tightly coupled (manual execution better)
- Plan needs revision (brainstorm first)
The Process
1. Load Plan
Read plan file, create TodoWrite with all tasks.
2. Execute Task with Subagent
For each task:
Dispatch fresh subagent:
Task tool (general-purpose):
description: "Implement Task N: [task name]"
prompt: |
You are implementing Task N from [plan-file].
Read that task carefully. Your job is to:
1. Implement exactly what the task specifies
2. Write tests (following TDD if task says to)
3. Verify implementation works
4. Commit your work
5. Report back
Work from: [directory]
Report: What you implemented, what you tested, test results, files changed, any issues
Subagent reports back with summary of work.
3. Review Subagent's Work
Dispatch code-reviewer subagent:
Task tool (code-reviewer):
Use template at skills/collaboration/requesting-code-review/code-reviewer.md
WHAT_WAS_IMPLEMENTED: [from subagent's report]
PLAN_OR_REQUIREMENTS: Task N from [plan-file]
BASE_SHA: [commit before task]
HEAD_SHA: [current commit]
DESCRIPTION: [task summary]
Code reviewer returns: Strengths, Issues (Critical/Important/Minor), Assessment
4. Apply Review Feedback
If issues found:
- Fix Critical issues immediately
- Fix Important issues before next task
- Note Minor issues
Dispatch follow-up subagent if needed:
"Fix issues from code review: [list issues]"
5. Mark Complete, Next Task
- Mark task as completed in TodoWrite
- Move to next task
- Repeat steps 2-5
6. Final Review
After all tasks complete, dispatch final code-reviewer:
- Reviews entire implementation
- Checks all plan requirements met
- Validates overall architecture
7. Complete Development
After final review passes:
- Announce: "I'm using the Finishing a Development Branch skill to complete this work."
- Switch to skills/collaboration/finishing-a-development-branch
- Follow that skill to verify tests, present options, execute choice
Example Workflow
You: I'm using Subagent-Driven Development to execute this plan.
[Load plan, create TodoWrite]
Task 1: Hook installation script
[Dispatch implementation subagent]
Subagent: Implemented install-hook with tests, 5/5 passing
[Get git SHAs, dispatch code-reviewer]
Reviewer: Strengths: Good test coverage. Issues: None. Ready.
[Mark Task 1 complete]
Task 2: Recovery modes
[Dispatch implementation subagent]
Subagent: Added verify/repair, 8/8 tests passing
[Dispatch code-reviewer]
Reviewer: Strengths: Solid. Issues (Important): Missing progress reporting
[Dispatch fix subagent]
Fix subagent: Added progress every 100 conversations
[Verify fix, mark Task 2 complete]
...
[After all tasks]
[Dispatch final code-reviewer]
Final reviewer: All requirements met, ready to merge
Done!
Advantages
vs. Manual execution:
- Subagents follow TDD naturally
- Fresh context per task (no confusion)
- Parallel-safe (subagents don't interfere)
vs. Executing Plans:
- Same session (no handoff)
- Continuous progress (no waiting)
- Review checkpoints automatic
Cost:
- More subagent invocations
- But catches issues early (cheaper than debugging later)
Red Flags
Never:
- Skip code review between tasks
- Proceed with unfixed Critical issues
- Dispatch multiple implementation subagents in parallel (conflicts)
- Implement without reading plan task
If subagent fails task:
- Dispatch fix subagent with specific instructions
- Don't try to fix manually (context pollution)
Integration
Pairs with:
- skills/collaboration/writing-plans (creates the plan)
- skills/collaboration/requesting-code-review (review template)
- skills/testing/test-driven-development (subagents follow this)
Alternative to:
- skills/collaboration/executing-plans (parallel session)
See code-reviewer template: skills/collaboration/requesting-code-review/code-reviewer.md