tools-only Squadron Composition Reference
Use this file to choose execution mode and team size.
Mode Selection
Choose the first condition that matches.
- If work is sequential, tightly coupled, or mostly in the same files, use
single-session. - If work is parallel but each worker only needs to report to admiral, use
subagents. - If workers must coordinate directly across task boundaries, use
agent-team.
Decision Matrix
| Condition | Preferred Mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Single critical path, low ambiguity | single-session |
Lowest coordination overhead |
| Parallel discovery, synthesis by admiral | subagents |
Fast throughput without peer chatter |
| Parallel implementation with dependencies | agent-team |
Supports teammate-to-teammate coordination |
| High threat or high blast radius | agent-team + red-cell navigator |
Adds explicit control points |
Team Sizing
- Small mission:
1 admiral + 2-3 captains. - Medium mission:
1 admiral + 4-5 captains. - Large mission:
1 admiral + 6-7 captains. - Add
1 red-cell navigatorat medium/high threat. - Keep one admiral only.
- Squadron cap: 10 squadron-level agents (admiral, captains, red-cell navigator). Crew are additional — up to 4 per captain, governed by
references/crew-roles.md.
Role Guide
admiral: Defines sailing orders, delegates, tracks dependencies, resolves blockers, final synthesis.captain: Commands a ship. Breaks task into sub-tasks, crews roles, coordinates crew, verifies outputs. Implements directly only when the task is atomic (0 crew).- Crew roles: Executive Officer (XO), Principal Warfare Officer (PWO), Navigating Officer (NO), Marine Engineering Officer (MEO), Weapon Engineering Officer (WEO), Logistics Officer (LOGO), Coxswain (COX). See
references/crew-roles.mdfor role definitions and crewing rules.
- Crew roles: Executive Officer (XO), Principal Warfare Officer (PWO), Navigating Officer (NO), Marine Engineering Officer (MEO), Weapon Engineering Officer (WEO), Logistics Officer (LOGO), Coxswain (COX). See
red-cell navigator: Challenges assumptions, validates outputs, checks rollback readiness.
Anti-Patterns
See the Standing Orders table in SKILL.md for the full list of standing orders and known anti-patterns.