# Agent Creator > Create Claude Code CLI agents (subagents) following best practices - proper Task tool configuration, agent specialization, workflow integration, and RAG-enhanced knowledge bases Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/agent-creator-15` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/agent-creator-15` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/agent-creator-15/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: AI & ML - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/agent-creator-15 --- # Agent Creator Skill Expert-level Claude Code agent creation following official Anthropic best practices. ## When to Use This Skill This skill is automatically invoked when: - Creating new specialized agents/subagents - Designing agent workflows - Configuring agent tool access - Setting up multi-agent coordination ## Agent Architecture Overview ### What are Claude Code Agents? Agents (subagents) are specialized Claude instances launched via the `Task` tool to handle complex, multi-step tasks autonomously. They: - Run in isolated contexts with specific tool access - Execute tasks without interrupting main conversation - Return results upon completion - Can run in parallel for independent tasks ### Agent Types | Agent Type | Description | Tools | |------------|-------------|-------| | `general-purpose` | Research, search, multi-step tasks | All tools | | `Explore` | Fast codebase exploration | All except Edit, Write | | `Plan` | Planning and discovery | All except Edit, Write | | `Bash` | Command execution specialist | Bash only | ## Creating Custom Agents ### Skill-Based Agents Agents defined as skills live in `.claude/skills/{skill-name}/`: ``` .claude/skills/ my-agent/ skill.md # Main skill definition (YAML frontmatter) context/ # Agent context files README.md patterns.md examples.md workflows/ # Sub-workflows README.md sub-task-1.md sub-task-2.md ``` ### skill.md Format ```markdown --- name: my-agent description: Brief description shown in skill list --- # Agent Title Detailed agent instructions, patterns, and capabilities. ## When to Use This Agent List specific scenarios when this agent should be invoked. ## Capabilities - What this agent can do - Tools it has access to - Patterns it follows ## Workflow Step-by-step process the agent follows. ## Output Format What the agent returns upon completion. ``` ## Agent Design Patterns ### Pattern 1: Discovery Agent Purpose: Research and understand before implementation. ```markdown --- name: discovery-agent description: Research codebase, find patterns, gather requirements --- # Discovery Agent ## Purpose Explore the codebase to understand: - Existing patterns and conventions - File organization and structure - Dependencies and relationships - Potential impact areas ## Workflow 1. **Initial Search** - Use Glob/Grep to find relevant files 2. **Deep Read** - Read key files to understand patterns 3. **Map Dependencies** - Trace imports and relationships 4. **Document Findings** - Summarize discoveries ## Output Return a structured report: - Files discovered - Patterns identified - Key dependencies - Recommendations ``` ### Pattern 2: Implementation Agent Purpose: Execute code changes with proper patterns. ```markdown --- name: implementation-agent description: Write code following project patterns and conventions --- # Implementation Agent ## Purpose Implement features following project standards: - Use established patterns - Maintain consistency - Add appropriate tests - Update documentation ## Prerequisites - Discovery complete - Plan approved - Target files identified ## Workflow 1. **Read Target Files** - Understand current state 2. **Apply Patterns** - Use project conventions 3. **Implement Changes** - Write clean code 4. **Add Tests** - Cover new functionality 5. **Validate** - Ensure no regressions ## Output Return implementation summary: - Files modified - Tests added - Breaking changes (if any) ``` ### Pattern 3: QA Agent Purpose: Validate changes and ensure quality. ```markdown --- name: qa-agent description: Validate changes, run tests, verify patterns --- # QA Agent ## Purpose Ensure quality through: - Pattern compliance - Test coverage - Error handling - Performance impact ## Workflow 1. **Review Changes** - Examine modified files 2. **Run Tests** - Execute relevant test suites 3. **Check Patterns** - Verify convention compliance 4. **Report Issues** - Document findings ## Output Return QA report: - Tests passed/failed - Pattern violations - Recommendations - Sign-off status ``` ### Pattern 4: Orchestrator Agent Purpose: Coordinate multiple agents for complex tasks. ```markdown --- name: orchestrator-agent description: Coordinate multi-agent workflows for complex tasks --- # Orchestrator Agent ## Purpose Coordinate complex workflows: - Decompose tasks - Assign to specialized agents - Aggregate results - Handle dependencies ## Workflow 1. **Analyze Task** - Understand scope 2. **Create Plan** - Break into subtasks 3. **Dispatch Agents** - Launch specialized agents 4. **Monitor Progress** - Track completion 5. **Aggregate Results** - Combine outputs ## Agent Dispatch Launch agents in parallel when independent: - Discovery can run with initial planning - Implementation waits for planning - QA waits for implementation ``` ## Task Tool Configuration ### Basic Agent Launch To launch an agent, invoke the Task tool with these parameters: ```json { "description": "Research authentication patterns", "prompt": "Search the codebase for authentication implementations...", "subagent_type": "Explore" } ``` ### Agent Parameters | Parameter | Required | Description | |-----------|----------|-------------| | `description` | Yes | Short (3-5 word) task description | | `prompt` | Yes | Detailed task instructions | | `subagent_type` | Yes | Agent type to use | | `model` | No | Override model (sonnet, opus, haiku) | | `resume` | No | Agent ID to resume from | ### Model Selection | Model | Best For | Cost | |-------|----------|------| | `haiku` | Quick, straightforward tasks | Lowest | | `sonnet` | Default, balanced | Medium | | `opus` | Complex reasoning | Highest | ## Best Practices ### Agent Design 1. **Single Responsibility** - Each agent does one thing well 2. **Clear Boundaries** - Define what agent can/cannot do 3. **Explicit Output** - Specify return format 4. **Error Handling** - Define failure behavior ### Task Prompts 1. **Be Specific** - Include all necessary context 2. **Define Success** - What does "done" look like? 3. **Scope Limits** - What should agent NOT do? 4. **Output Format** - How to structure results? ### Parallel Execution 1. **Independence** - Only parallelize independent tasks 2. **Single Message** - Multiple Task calls in one message 3. **Dependencies** - Sequential tasks must wait **Parallel Execution**: In a single message, invoke the Task tool multiple times. **Sequential Execution**: For dependent tasks, wait for first agent to complete before invoking the next Task tool. ### Context Management 1. **Stateless** - Each agent invocation is fresh 2. **Self-Contained** - Include all needed context in prompt 3. **Explicit Return** - Specify what to report back 4. **No Follow-up** - Cannot send additional messages ## Creating a New Agent ### Step-by-Step Process 1. **Define Purpose** - What problem does this agent solve? 2. **Identify Tools** - What tools does it need? 3. **Design Workflow** - What steps does it follow? 4. **Specify Output** - What does it return? 5. **Create Skill** - Write skill.md with context 6. **Add RAG if Needed** - Include knowledge base for domain expertise 7. **Add to README** - Document in skills README 8. **Test Thoroughly** - Verify in real scenarios ### Checklist - [ ] skill.md with YAML frontmatter - [ ] Clear "When to Use" section - [ ] Defined workflow steps - [ ] Explicit output format - [ ] Context files if needed - [ ] Added to skills README - [ ] Tested with sample tasks ## References - Task Tool: System prompt documentation - Skills: `.claude/skills/README.md` - Agents: `.claude/agents/` - Official Docs: https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/evan043) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.