# Before Spawning Task > Use BEFORE using the Task tool. Ensures you select the correct specialized subagent_type instead of generic agents. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/before-spawning-task` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/before-spawning-task` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/before-spawning-task/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Productivity - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/before-spawning-task --- # Before Spawning Task **STOP**: You're about to use the Task tool. ## Check for Specialized Agents First Don't use generic subagent_type values. We have specialized agents: | Task Type | Use This subagent_type | |-----------|----------------------| | Finding files/components | `codebase-locator` | | Understanding code | `codebase-analyzer` | | Finding similar patterns | `codebase-pattern-finder` | | Finding documentation | `thoughts-locator` | | Analyzing documents | `thoughts-analyzer` | | Web research | `web-search-researcher` | ## Examples ### ❌ Wrong: ``` Task(subagent_type="general-purpose", prompt="Find auth files") Task(subagent_type="Explore", prompt="How does login work?") ``` ### ✅ Correct: ``` Task(subagent_type="codebase-locator", prompt="Find all authentication-related files") Task(subagent_type="codebase-analyzer", prompt="Analyze how the login flow works") ``` ## When Generic Agents Are OK Only use generic agents (general-purpose, Explore) when: - No specialized agent matches the task - Task requires mixed capabilities (search + analysis + web) - User explicitly requests a specific agent type Always prefer specialized agents when available. --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/eveld) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.