--- name: subagent-driven-development description: "Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks in the current session" risk: critical source: community date_added: "2026-02-27" --- # Subagent-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 and two-stage review can improve isolation and feedback; verify actual quality, latency and cost. ## When to Use ```dot 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) ## Host and authority prerequisites Use only delegation tools actually available and allowed for this task. Task, TodoWrite and superpowers names below are host-specific examples, not bundled capabilities. The three local prompt templates are bundled; other superpowers skills/templates are external dependencies. When unavailable, use the equivalent task tracker and independent code/spec review directly rather than claim a subagent ran. Set global concurrency/cost/time limits and cancellation; subagents cannot expand authorization. Commits require the established repository workflow and assigned branch, and reviewer approval does not authorize pushing, merging or publishing. Inspect actual files and command evidence at the exact reviewed head before completion. ## The Process ```dot 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:** - Require the relevant tests explicitly; subagents do not follow TDD automatically - Fresh context per task (no confusion) - Separate context does not isolate files; assign disjoint ownership or isolated checkouts - 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 - The controller may repair directly when clearer or when subagents are unavailable; preserve the review and validation requirements. ## 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 ## Limitations - Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above. - Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review. - Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.