Decision Guide: When to Use What

Decision Guide: When to Use What

A comprehensive guide to help you choose the right tools, commands, agents, and approaches in Claude Copilot.

Note: This is the complete reference. For a quick overview integrated into Claude Code's instructions, see CLAUDE.md.

Feature Selection

Feature Comparison

Memory vs Skills vs Extensions

Command Selection

Command Decision Matrix

Command Arguments:

• /protocol <task> - Auto-detect task type and route to agent (e.g., /protocol fix the login bug)
• /continue <stream> - Resume specific parallel stream (e.g., /continue Stream-B)

Setup Command Flowchart

Are you using Claude Copilot for the first time?
├─ YES → Run /setup in ~/.claude/copilot
│        ↓
│        Is this a new project?
│        ├─ YES → Run /setup-project in project
│        └─ NO → Run /update-project in existing project
│
└─ NO → Did you update Claude Copilot?
        ├─ YES → Run /update-project in all projects
        └─ NO → Just use /protocol or /continue to work

Agent Selection

Agent Routing Matrix

Scenario-Based Agent Selection

Extension vs Override vs Skills

Extension Type Decision Tree

Do you need to customize agent behavior?
├─ NO → Use base agents as-is
│
└─ YES → Do you want to replace the entire agent?
         ├─ YES → Use OVERRIDE (.override.md)
         │        Example: Completely custom methodology
         │
         └─ NO → Do you want to add/enhance sections?
                  ├─ YES → Use EXTENSION (.extension.md)
                  │        Example: Add checklists, templates
                  │
                  └─ NO → Do you just need to inject skills?
                           └─ Use SKILLS (.skills.json)
                                Example: Company-specific tools

Extension Type Comparison

Work Session Decisions

Starting Work Decision Matrix

Protocol vs Direct Conversation

Knowledge Repository Decisions

When to Create Knowledge Repository

Knowledge vs Skills vs Memory

Stream Management Decisions

When to Use Streams

Stream Pattern

Foundation Phase:

• Stream-A: Core infrastructure that parallel work depends on
• Example: Schema changes, base types, shared utilities

Parallel Phase:

• Stream-B, Stream-C, Stream-D: Independent work streams
• Each touches different files
• Can run simultaneously in separate Claude Code sessions
• Example: Stream-B (API endpoints), Stream-C (UI components), Stream-D (tests)

Integration Phase:

• Stream-Z: Combines parallel streams
• Example: Documentation, final validation, release prep

Stream Tools Usage

Stream Metadata in Tasks

When creating tasks with streams, include:

metadata: {
  streamId: "Stream-B",           // Auto-generated ID
  streamName: "command-updates",  // Human-readable name
  streamPhase: "parallel",        // foundation | parallel | integration
  files: [                        // Files this task will modify
    "path/to/file1.ts",
    "path/to/file2.md"
  ],
  streamDependencies: ["Stream-A"] // Must complete before this stream
}

Troubleshooting Decisions

When Something Goes Wrong

Quick Reference Tables

Installation Decision Matrix

Daily Workflow Matrix

Best Practices Summary

Do This

Don't Do This

Decision Flowchart: Complete Setup

START: Do you have Claude Copilot installed?
│
├─ NO → Clone to ~/.claude/copilot
│       ↓
│       Run /setup in ~/.claude/copilot
│       ↓
│       Are you part of a team?
│       ├─ YES → Clone team knowledge repo
│       │        Run /knowledge-copilot to link
│       │        ↓
│       └─ NO → Do you want to create team knowledge?
│                ├─ YES → Run /knowledge-copilot
│                └─ NO → Skip knowledge setup
│       ↓
│       Run /setup-project in your project
│       ↓
│       Done! Use /protocol to start working
│
└─ YES → Is this a new project?
         ├─ YES → Run /setup-project
         │        ↓
         │        Done! Use /protocol to start working
         │
         └─ NO → Do you need to update?
                  ├─ YES → Run /update-project
                  └─ NO → Just use /protocol or /continue

Related Documentation