Implement Sub-Agents
Create or update agent files under agents/ with explicit role boundaries, model/tool settings, and delegation patterns.
Workflow
- •Assess complexity: Verify that sub-agent is needed (score 7-8). If simpler approach works, use skill instead.
- •Define role: Clear purpose, responsibilities, and explicit boundaries
- •Set decision authority: What agent can/cannot do autonomously
- •Configure tools: Least privilege access to required tools only
- •Author/update: Agent markdown with valid frontmatter
- •Context strategy: Define how agent manages context (retrieval, summarization, state)
- •Plan evaluations: Identify 20-50 test scenarios covering success and failure modes
- •Validate: Check frontmatter and agent file structure
- •Connect selectively: Link related skills/hooks only when required
Progressive Disclosure
Best Practices (Anthropic Guidelines)
- •Core principles:
../../docs/ANTHROPIC_BEST_PRACTICES.md- •Links to detailed references for complexity scoring, context management, and evaluation strategy
Sub-Agent Design
- •Agent frontmatter rules:
references/subagent-frontmatter.md - •Tool access strategy:
references/subagent-tools.md - •Model selection guidance:
references/subagent-models.md - •Permission boundaries:
references/subagent-permissions.md - •Delegation patterns:
references/subagent-delegation.md
Validation Tools
- •Agent file validator:
scripts/validate-subagent.sh - •Frontmatter checker:
scripts/check-subagent-frontmatter.sh
Templates (by Complexity)
- •Level 3 - Autonomous Agent (Score 7-8):
assets/templates/subagent-autonomous.md - •Base sub-agent template:
assets/templates/subagent-template.md - •Read-only sub-agent example:
assets/templates/subagent-readonly.md - •Sub-agent with skills example:
assets/templates/subagent-with-skills.md - •Sub-agent with hooks example:
assets/templates/subagent-with-hooks.md
Related Skills
- •Umbrella routing and architecture:
../implement-claude-extensions/SKILL.md - •Agent team coordination:
../implement-agent-teams/SKILL.md