# Background Agent Pings

> Background Agent Pings

- Skill: `thedixitjain/background-agent-pings` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add thedixitjain/background-agent-pings`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/thedixitjain/background-agent-pings/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: thedixitjain (https://skillmd.com/u/thedixitjain)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/thedixitjain/background-agent-pings

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# Background Agent Pings

Trust system reminders as agent progress notifications. Don't poll.

## Pattern

When you launch a background agent, **continue working on other tasks**. The system will notify you via reminders when:
- Agent makes progress: `Agent <id> progress: X new tools used, Y new tokens`
- Agent writes output file (check the path you specified)

## DO

```
1. Task(run_in_background=true, prompt="... Output to: .claude/cache/agents/<type>/output.md")
2. Continue with next task immediately
3. When system reminder shows agent activity, check if output file exists
4. Read output file only when agent signals completion
```

## DON'T

```
# BAD: Polling wastes tokens and time
Task(run_in_background=true)
Bash("sleep 5 && ls ...")  # polling
Bash("tail /tmp/claude/.../tasks/<id>.output")  # polling
TaskOutput(task_id="...")  # floods context
```

## Why This Matters

- Polling burns tokens on repeated checks
- `TaskOutput` floods main context with full agent transcript
- System reminders are free - they're pushed to you automatically
- Continue productive work while waiting

## Source

- This session: Realized polling for agent output wasted time when system reminders already provide progress updates

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**Source:** [`parcadei/Continuous-Claude-v3`](https://github.com/parcadei/Continuous-Claude-v3) → `.claude/skills/background-agent-pings/SKILL.md`