| name | parallel-yak-implementation |
| description | Use when multiple independent leaf yaks are ready to implement and can be worked on concurrently with separate agents in worktrees |
Parallel Yak Implementation
Overview
When multiple leaf yaks are independent and have plans, dispatch
one agent per yak in parallel worktrees. This skill wraps
superpowers-dev:dispatching-parallel-agents with yak-specific
lifecycle steps.
When to Use
- 2+ leaf yaks are ready (have plans, no children)
- The yaks don't modify the same files
- You want to maximize throughput
The Process
1. Identify Ready Leaves
yx ls
Leaf yaks (no children) with plans are candidates. Verify
independence: check their plans don't touch the same files.
2. Mark ALL as WIP Before Dispatching
This is the FIRST thing you do after identifying yaks.
yx state "<yak-name>" wip
Do this for EVERY yak BEFORE launching any agents. This signals
to the human (and future sessions) what's being worked on.
Verify with yx ls - all target yaks should show as wip
before you proceed to step 3.
3. Dispatch One Agent Per Yak
REQUIRED: Use superpowers-dev:dispatching-parallel-agents
for the dispatch pattern.
Each agent prompt should include:
- The yak's plan (from
yx field --show "<name>" plan)
- Instruction to invoke
superpowers-dev:using-git-worktrees
- Instruction to invoke
superpowers-dev:executing-plans
- Project context (test commands, commit conventions)
- Clear scope: only work on this yak's files
4. When Agents Complete
For each returning agent:
- Review the summary
- Verify with
dev check in the worktree
- Mark yak done:
yx state "<name>" done
- Use
superpowers-dev:finishing-a-development-branch
If an agent fails, keep the yak as wip and investigate.
⛔ The Main Branch Rule
Neither you nor your subagents may modify main's working
tree. Main is for merging finished branches only.
- Subagents must each work in their own worktree
- The orchestrating agent (you) must not stash, clean,
or edit files on main
- If you see uncommitted changes on main, stop and ask
the user — they belong to someone else
Common Mistakes
Working directly on main - The most dangerous mistake.
Always dispatch subagents with worktree instructions. If a
subagent reports it's working on main, kill it immediately.
Forgetting to mark wip - Agents start working but yaks
still show as todo. Always mark wip BEFORE dispatching.
Overlapping file changes - If two yaks modify the same
files, work them sequentially instead.
Not reviewing agent output - Always verify before marking
done. Agents can make systematic errors.
