| name | implement-sub-agents |
| description | Create and validate Claude sub-agent definitions with correct frontmatter, tool permissions, and delegation boundaries. |
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)
- Complexity decision framework:
../implement-claude-extensions/references/decision-framework.md
- Context management patterns:
../implement-claude-extensions/references/context-management.md
- Evaluation strategy:
../implement-claude-extensions/references/evaluation-strategy.md
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
Sources
