subagent-driven-development

Subagent-Driven Development

Overview

Use this skill to execute a written implementation plan through isolated workers with explicit review gates. If the current environment supports subagents, use them. If it does not, use the closest equivalent isolated-task workflow while keeping the same control pattern.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• a plan already exists
• tasks are mostly independent
• you want to preserve coordinator context while delegating implementation
• you want spec compliance and code quality checked separately

Prefer a simpler inline workflow when tasks are tightly coupled or when the environment cannot isolate task execution meaningfully.

Core Workflow

1. Read the implementation plan once and extract the full text for each task.
2. Create a tracking list for all tasks before dispatching workers.
3. For each task, dispatch one isolated implementer worker with the full task text and required context.
4. If the implementer requests clarification, answer it before implementation continues.
5. After implementation, run a spec-compliance review.
6. Only after spec compliance passes, run a code-quality review.
7. If either review finds issues, return the task to the implementer and repeat the relevant review.
8. Mark the task complete only when both reviews pass.
9. After all tasks are complete, run one final end-to-end review and verification pass.

Inputs / Assumptions

• The plan is already written and broken into actionable tasks.
• Each worker receives the task text directly rather than discovering it indirectly.
• The coordinator keeps authority for sequencing, context, and approval.
• Isolation matters more than raw speed for this workflow.

Worker Status Model

Implementers should report one of these statuses:

• DONE: implementation completed and ready for review
• DONE_WITH_CONCERNS: implementation completed, but there are correctness or scope concerns to inspect first
• NEEDS_CONTEXT: missing information blocks safe completion
• BLOCKED: the task cannot proceed under current assumptions or current worker capability