Subagent Driven Development

Subagent-Driven Development

Create and execute plan by dispatching fresh subagent per task or issue, with code and output review after each or batch of tasks.

Core principle: Fresh subagent per task + review between or after tasks = high quality, fast iteration.

Executing Plans through agents:

• Same session (no context switch)
• Fresh subagent per task (no context pollution)
• Code review after each or batch of task (catch issues early)
• Faster iteration (no human-in-loop between tasks)

Supported types of execution

Sequential Execution

When you have a tasks or issues that are related to each other, and they need to be executed in order, investigating or modifying them sequentially is the best way to go.

Dispatch one agent per task or issue. Let it work sequentially. Review the output and code after each task or issue.

When to use:

• Tasks are tightly coupled
• Tasks should be executed in order

Parallel Execution

When you have multiple unrelated tasks or issues (different files, different subsystems, different bugs), investigatin or modifying them sequentially wastes time. Each task or investigation is independent and can happen in parallel.

Dispatch one agent per independent problem domain. Let them work concurrently.

When to use:

• Tasks are mostly independent
• Overral review can be done after all tasks are completed

Sequential Execution Process

1. Load Plan

Read plan file, create TodoWrite with all tasks.

2. Execute Task with Subagent

For each task:

Dispatch fresh subagent:

Task tool (general-purpose):
  description: "Implement Task N: [task name]"
  prompt: |
    You are implementing Task N from [plan-file].

    Read that task carefully. Your job is to:
    1. Implement exactly what the task specifies
    2. Write tests (following TDD if task says to)
    3. Verify implementation works
    4. Commit your work
    5. Report back

    Work from: [directory]

    Report: What you implemented, what you tested, test results, files changed, any issues

Subagent reports back with summary of work.

3. Review Subagent's Work

Dispatch code-reviewer subagent:

Task tool (superpowers:code-reviewer):
  Use template at requesting-code-review/code-reviewer.md

  WHAT_WAS_IMPLEMENTED: [from subagent's report]
  PLAN_OR_REQUIREMENTS: Task N from [plan-file]
  BASE_SHA: [commit before task]
  HEAD_SHA: [current commit]
  DESCRIPTION: [task summary]

Code reviewer returns: Strengths, Issues (Critical/Important/Minor), Assessment

4. Apply Review Feedback

If issues found:

• Fix Critical issues immediately
• Fix Important issues before next task
• Note Minor issues

Dispatch follow-up subagent if needed:

"Fix issues from code review: [list issues]"

5. Mark Complete, Next Task

• Mark task as completed in TodoWrite
• Move to next task
• Repeat steps 2-5

6. Final Review

After all tasks complete, dispatch final code-reviewer:

• Reviews entire implementation
• Checks all plan requirements met
• Validates overall architecture

7. Complete Development

After final review passes:

• Announce: "I'm using the finishing-a-development-branch skill to complete this work."
• REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch
• Follow that skill to verify tests, present options, execute choice

Example Workflow

You: I'm using Subagent-Driven Development to execute this plan.

[Load plan, create TodoWrite]

Task 1: Hook installation script

[Dispatch implementation subagent]
Subagent: Implemented install-hook with tests, 5/5 passing

[Get git SHAs, dispatch code-reviewer]
Reviewer: Strengths: Good test coverage. Issues: None. Ready.

[Mark Task 1 complete]

Task 2: Recovery modes

[Dispatch implementation subagent]
Subagent: Added verify/repair, 8/8 tests passing

[Dispatch code-reviewer]
Reviewer: Strengths: Solid. Issues (Important): Missing progress reporting

[Dispatch fix subagent]
Fix subagent: Added progress every 100 conversations

[Verify fix, mark Task 2 complete]

...

[After all tasks]
[Dispatch final code-reviewer]
Final reviewer: All requirements met, ready to merge

Done!

Red Flags

Never:

• Skip code review between tasks
• Proceed with unfixed Critical issues
• Dispatch multiple implementation subagents in parallel (conflicts)
• Implement without reading plan task

If subagent fails task:

• Dispatch fix subagent with specific instructions
• Don't try to fix manually (context pollution)

Parallel Execution Process

Load plan, review critically, execute tasks in batches, report for review between batches.

Core principle: Batch execution with checkpoints for architect review.

Announce at start: "I'm using the executing-plans skill to implement this plan."

Step 1: Load and Review Plan

1. Read plan file
2. Review critically - identify any questions or concerns about the plan
3. If concerns: Raise them with your human partner before starting
4. If no concerns: Create TodoWrite and proceed

Step 2: Execute Batch

Default: First 3 tasks

For each task:

1. Mark as in_progress
2. Follow each step exactly (plan has bite-sized steps)
3. Run verifications as specified
4. Mark as completed

Step 3: Report

When batch complete:

• Show what was implemented
• Show verification output
• Say: "Ready for feedback."

Step 4: Continue

Based on feedback:

• Apply changes if needed
• Execute next batch
• Repeat until complete

Step 5: Complete Development

After all tasks complete and verified:

• Announce: "I'm using the finishing-a-development-branch skill to complete this work."
• REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch
• Follow that skill to verify tests, present options, execute choice

When to Stop and Ask for Help

STOP executing immediately when:

• Hit a blocker mid-batch (missing dependency, test fails, instruction unclear)
• Plan has critical gaps preventing starting
• You don't understand an instruction
• Verification fails repeatedly

Ask for clarification rather than guessing.

When to Revisit Earlier Steps

Return to Review (Step 1) when:

• Partner updates the plan based on your feedback
• Fundamental approach needs rethinking

Don't force through blockers - stop and ask.