Subagent Creator
Create specialized subagents that run in isolated contexts via the Task tool.
Core Principles
- •Isolated Context - Each subagent has its own context window
- •Specialized Role - One clear responsibility per subagent
- •Minimal Tools - Grant only necessary tool access
- •Clear Trigger - Description must indicate when to use
Subagent Structure
code
.claude/agents/ ├── code-reviewer.md # Project-level ├── test-runner.md └── domain-expert.md
User-level agents go in ~/.claude/agents/.
File Format
yaml
--- name: agent-name description: What this agent does. Use proactively when [triggers]. tools: Read, Grep, Glob, Bash model: sonnet skills: skill1, skill2 permissionMode: default --- System prompt for the agent. ## Role [Clear description of the agent's role] ## Process [Steps the agent should follow] ## Output Format [Expected output structure]
Configuration Fields
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
name | Yes | Lowercase with hyphens: code-reviewer |
description | Yes | Include "Use proactively when..." for auto-invoke |
tools | No | CSV list; omit to inherit all tools |
model | No | sonnet, opus, haiku, or inherit |
skills | No | Auto-load skills when invoked |
permissionMode | No | default, acceptEdits, bypassPermissions, plan |
Model Selection
| Model | Use Case |
|---|---|
haiku | Fast exploration, simple tasks |
sonnet | Balanced capability (default) |
opus | Complex reasoning, architecture |
inherit | Use main conversation's model |
Tool Recommendations
| Subagent Type | Recommended Tools |
|---|---|
| Code reviewer | Read, Grep, Glob, Bash |
| Test runner | Read, Bash, Grep |
| Explorer | Read, Glob, Grep, Bash |
| Writer | Read, Edit, Write, Bash |
Trigger Patterns
For automatic invocation, include in description:
- •"Use proactively when..."
- •"Use immediately after..."
- •"MUST BE USED when..."
For manual invocation, omit proactive triggers.
Validation Checklist
- • Name is lowercase with hyphens
- • Description has clear trigger
- • Tools are minimal and appropriate
- • No overlapping responsibility with other agents
- • System prompt is focused and actionable
References
- •examples.md - Subagent templates
- •tools.md - Available tools reference