Subagent-Driven Development
FreeStreamline your implementation with focused subagents.
Free · Opens the source repo
What Subagent-Driven Development does
Subagent-Driven Development is a structured approach to executing implementation plans by leveraging independent subagents for each task. This method allows developers to maintain a clear focus on individual tasks without context pollution, as each subagent operates in isolation. The core principle is to dispatch a fresh subagent for every task, ensuring that the execution remains organized and efficient.
The process involves two key review stages after each task is completed: a spec compliance review followed by a code quality review. This two-stage review mechanism helps maintain high standards of quality and adherence to specifications, facilitating faster iterations without the need for human intervention between tasks. By automating these reviews, developers can achieve a higher level of productivity and ensure that each piece of code meets the required standards before moving on to the next task.
This skill is particularly useful for developers working on complex projects where tasks are mostly independent and can be executed in a single session. By using Subagent-Driven Development, teams can streamline their workflows, reduce the overhead associated with context switching, and enhance overall code quality. The structured approach also allows for better tracking of progress through tools like TodoWrite, ensuring that no task is overlooked.
However, this skill is not ideal for tightly coupled tasks where the output of one task directly influences another. In such cases, a more integrated approach might be necessary to ensure that dependencies are managed effectively. Overall, Subagent-Driven Development is a powerful tool for developers looking to optimize their coding workflows and improve the quality of their software projects.
When to use it
Use this skill when you have an implementation plan with mostly independent tasks that can be executed in a single session.
When not to use it
Avoid this skill for tightly coupled tasks where the output of one task depends on another, as it may not handle dependencies effectively.
What you can build with it
Independent Feature Development
When developing features that can be implemented separately, this skill helps maintain focus and quality.
Automated Code Reviews
Utilize the two-stage review process to ensure each task meets specifications and quality standards before completion.
Streamlined Project Management
In projects with multiple independent tasks, this skill organizes execution and tracking, enhancing overall workflow efficiency.
How to install Subagent-Driven Development
View source1. Install with the skills CLI
npx skills add davila7/claude-code-templates/subagent-driven-development --agent claude-code2. Or install it manually
Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.
Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs
Inside SKILL.md
Written by davila7Subagent-Driven Development
Execute plan by dispatching fresh subagent per task, with two-stage review after each: spec compliance review first, then code quality review.
Core principle: Fresh subagent per task + two-stage review (spec then quality) = high quality, fast iteration
When to Use
digraph when_to_use {
"Have implementation plan?" [shape=diamond];
"Tasks mostly independent?" [shape=diamond];
"Stay in this session?" [shape=diamond];
"subagent-driven-development" [shape=box];
"executing-plans" [shape=box];
"Manual execution or brainstorm first" [shape=box];
"Have implementation plan?" -> "Tasks mostly independent?" [label="yes"];
"Have implementation plan?" -> "Manual execution or brainstorm first" [label="no"];
"Tasks mostly independent?" -> "Stay in this session?" [label="yes"];
"Tasks mostly independent?" -> "Manual execution or brainstorm first" [label="no - tightly coupled"];
"Stay in this session?" -> "subagent-driven-development" [label="yes"];
"Stay in this session?" -> "executing-plans" [label="no - parallel session"];
}
vs. Executing Plans (parallel session):
- Same session (no context switch)
- Fresh subagent per task (no context pollution)
- Two-stage review after each task: spec compliance first, then code quality
- Faster iteration (no human-in-loop between tasks)
The Process
digraph process {
rankdir=TB;
subgraph cluster_per_task {
label="Per Task";
"Dispatch implementer subagent (./implementer-prompt.md)" [shape=box];
"Implementer subagent asks questions?" [shape=diamond];
"Answer questions, provide context" [shape=box];
"Implementer subagent implements, tests, commits, self-reviews" [shape=box];
"Dispatch spec reviewer subagent (./spec-reviewer-prompt.md)" [shape=box];
"Spec reviewer subagent confirms code matches spec?" [shape=diamond];
"Implementer subagent fixes spec gaps" [shape=box];
"Dispatch code quality reviewer subagent (./code-quality-reviewer-prompt.md)" [shape=box];
"Code quality reviewer subagent approves?" [shape=diamond];
"Implementer subagent fixes quality issues" [shape=box];
"Mark task complete in TodoWrite" [shape=box];
}
"Read plan, extract all tasks with full text, note context, create TodoWrite" [shape=box];
"More tasks remain?" [shape=diamond];
"Dispatch final code reviewer subagent for entire implementation" [shape=box];
"Use superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch" [shape=box style=filled fillcolor=lightgreen];
"Read plan, extract all tasks with full text, note context, create TodoWrite" -> "Dispatch implementer subagent (./implementer-prompt.md)";
"Dispatch implementer subagent (./implementer-prompt.md)" -> "Implementer subagent asks questions?";
"Implementer subagent asks questions?" -> "Answer questions, provide context" [label="yes"];
"Answer questions, provide context" -> "Dispatch implementer subagent (./implementer-prompt.md)";
"Implementer subagent asks questions?" -> "Implementer subagent implements, tests, commits, self-reviews" [label="no"];
"Implementer subagent implements, tests, commits, self-reviews" -> "Dispatch spec reviewer subagent (./spec-reviewer-prompt.md)";
"Dispatch spec reviewer subagent (./spec-reviewer-prompt.md)" -> "Spec reviewer subagent confirms code matches spec?";
"Spec reviewer subagent confirms code matches spec?" -> "Implementer subagent fixes spec gaps" [label="no"];
"Implementer subagent fixes spec gaps" -> "Dispatch spec reviewer subagent (./spec-reviewer-prompt.md)" [label="re-review"];
"Spec reviewer subagent confirms code matches spec?" -> "Dispatch code quality reviewer subagent (./code-quality-reviewer-prompt.md)" [label="yes"];
"Dispatch code quality reviewer subagent (./code-quality-reviewer-prompt.md)" -> "Code quality reviewer subagent approves?";
"Code quality reviewer subagent approves?" -> "Implementer subagent fixes quality issues" [label="no"];
"Implementer subagent fixes quality issues" -> "Dispatch code quality reviewer subagent (./code-quality-reviewer-prompt.md)" [label="re-review"];
"Code quality reviewer subagent approves?" -> "Mark task complete in TodoWrite" [label="yes"];
"Mark task complete in TodoWrite" -> "More tasks remain?";
"More tasks remain?" -> "Dispatch implementer subagent (./implementer-prompt.md)" [label="yes"];
"More tasks remain?" -> "Dispatch final code reviewer subagent for entire implementation" [label="no"];
"Dispatch final code reviewer subagent for entire implementation" -> "Use superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch";
}
Prompt Templates
./implementer-prompt.md- Dispatch implementer subagent./spec-reviewer-prompt.md- Dispatch spec compliance reviewer subagent./code-quality-reviewer-prompt.md- Dispatch code quality reviewer subagent
Example Workflow
You: I'm using Subagent-Driven Development to execute this plan.
[Read plan file once: docs/plans/feature-plan.md]
[Extract all 5 tasks with full text and context]
[Create TodoWrite with all tasks]
Task 1: Hook installation script
[Get Task 1 text and context (already extracted)]
[Dispatch implementation subagent with full task text + context]
Implementer: "Before I begin - should the hook be installed at user or system level?"
You: "User level (~/.config/superpowers/hooks/)"
Implementer: "Got it. Implementing now..."
[Later] Implementer:
- Implemented install-hook command
- Added tests, 5/5 passing
- Self-review: Found I missed --force flag, added it
- Committed
[Dispatch spec compliance reviewer]
Spec reviewer: ✅ Spec compliant - all requirements met, nothing extra
[Get git SHAs, dispatch code quality reviewer]
Code reviewer: Strengths: Good test coverage, clean. Issues: None. Approved.
[Mark Task 1 complete]
Task 2: Recovery modes
[Get Task 2 text and context (already extracted)]
[Dispatch implementation subagent with full task text + context]
Implementer: [No questions, proceeds]
Implementer:
- Added verify/repair modes
- 8/8 tests passing
- Self-review: All good
- Committed
[Dispatch spec compliance reviewer]
Spec reviewer: ❌ Issues:
- Missing: Progress reporting (spec says "report every 100 items")
- Extra: Added --json flag (not requested)
[Implementer fixes issues]
Implementer: Removed --json flag, added progress reporting
[Spec reviewer reviews again]
Spec reviewer: ✅ Spec compliant now
[Dispatch code quality reviewer]
Code reviewer: Strengths: Solid. Issues (Important): Magic number (100)
[Implementer fixes]
Implementer: Extracted PROGRESS_INTERVAL constant
[Code reviewer reviews again]
Code reviewer: ✅ Approved
[Mark Task 2 complete]
...
[After all tasks]
[Dispatch final code-reviewer]
Final reviewer: All requirements met, ready to merge
Done!
Advantages
vs. Manual execution:
- Subagents follow TDD naturally
- Fresh context per task (no confusion)
- Parallel-safe (subagents don't interfere)
- Subagent can ask questions (before AND during work)
vs. Executing Plans:
- Same session (no handoff)
- Continuous progress (no waiting)
- Review checkpoints automatic
Efficiency gains:
- No file reading overhead (controller provides full text)
- Controller curates exactly what context is needed
- Subagent gets complete information upfront
- Questions surfaced before work begins (not after)
Quality gates:
- Self-review catches issues before handoff
- Two-stage review: spec compliance, then code quality
- Review loops ensure fixes actually work
- Spec compliance prevents over/under-building
- Code quality ensures implementation is well-built
Cost:
- More subagent invocations (implementer + 2 reviewers per task)
- Controller does more prep work (extracting all tasks upfront)
- Review loops add iterations
- But catches issues early (cheaper than debugging later)
Red Flags
Never:
- Skip reviews (spec compliance OR code quality)
- Proceed with unfixed issues
- Dispatch multiple implementation subagents in parallel (conflicts)
- Make subagent read plan file (provide full text instead)
- Skip scene-setting context (subagent needs to understand where task fits)
- Ignore subagent questions (answer before letting them proceed)
- Accept "close enough" on spec compliance (spec reviewer found issues = not done)
- Skip review loops (reviewer found issues = implementer fixes = review again)
- Let implementer self-review replace actual review (both are needed)
- Start code quality review before spec compliance is ✅ (wrong order)
- Move to next task while either review has open issues
If subagent asks questions:
- Answer clearly and completely
- Provide additional context if needed
- Don't rush them into implementation
If reviewer finds issues:
- Implementer (same subagent) fixes them
- Reviewer reviews again
- Repeat until approved
- Don't skip the re-review
If subagent fails task:
- Dispatch fix subagent with specific instructions
- Don't try to fix manually (context pollution)
Integration
Required workflow skills:
- superpowers:writing-plans - Creates the plan this skill executes
- superpowers:requesting-code-review - Code review template for reviewer subagents
- superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch - Complete development after all tasks
Subagents should use:
- superpowers:test-driven-development - Subagents follow TDD for each task
Alternative workflow:
- superpowers:executing-plans - Use for parallel session instead of same-session execution
Frequently asked questions about Subagent-Driven Development
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