# Swarm

> Fan out N parallel workers, drain them, and return one report. Use for swarm this, or parallel coverage, races, gauntlets, and exploration partitions.

- Skill: `shipshitdev/swarm` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 8 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add shipshitdev/swarm`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/shipshitdev/swarm/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Docs & Writing
- License: MIT
- Author: shipshitdev (https://skillmd.com/u/shipshitdev)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/shipshitdev/swarm

---


# Swarm

Fan out N parallel workers. They may cover separate slices, race the
same brief, or mix both. The parent waits, aggregates, and returns one
report.

Companion to `arena`, which picks a base and grafts. Companion to
`multi-agent-patterns`, which designs architectures. This skill runs
one operational fan-out.

## Authorized Scope

Apply this engine only within the user's requested task and existing explicit
authorization. Loading or delegating to it grants no additional authority.
Preserve report-only restrictions and the caller's target, host, provider, and
cost limits. Existing approval satisfies a gate only for the same actions and
scope; obtain approval before expanding them. Forward these limits to delegates.

## Contract

Inputs:

- A done predicate and the report the swarm must return
- Shape: partition, race, or mix
- Optional N

Outputs:

- One consolidated report with a result table, issue one-liners, and
  gaps or dropouts

Creates/Modifies:

- Per-worker output under worktrees or
  `.tmp/swarm-<slug>/worker-<n>/` when workers write

External Side Effects:

- None beyond what each worker's brief authorizes

Confirmation Required:

- None for the swarm itself

Delegates To:

- `worktree` when workers need isolated checkouts

## Phases

Open a todo list: Frame, Fan out, Aggregate, Report.

### A. Frame

State the done predicate. Choose the shape. For a race, declare
`first pass`, `rank all`, or `best-of` before spawning. Set N. Default
workers to the fast cheap tier. For a model-family race, name each
arm's capability tier up front.

### B. Fan out

Spawn all N workers in one message. Every brief stands alone: goal,
scope, slice or race arm, how to verify, what to report. Reports use
`PASS`, `ISSUES`, or `BLOCKED` with evidence.

### C. Aggregate

Read the terminal results. For coverage, every required slice needs a
result. For a race, apply the selection rule declared up front. Do not
paste raw worker dumps.

### D. Report

Return one in-chat report: table, issue one-liners, gaps or dropouts,
and the race rule when used.

## Swarm procedure

Read [swarm procedure](references/swarm-procedure.md) when running this workflow.
Apply the authorized scope and mode of this entry point to every step.
Resolve other skills through this distribution’s active catalog; resolve
resources relative to the installed skill directory.