Skills

Delegation Principle

Core principle that the main agent is a coordinator, not an implementer.

Install

npx skills add tzachbon/smart-ralph --skill delegation-principle -g -a claude-code -y
Category
AI and agents
Updated
8d ago
License
MIT
Context cost
Lightabout 585 tokens
Runs scripts
No, instructions only

What it does

Core principle that the main agent is a coordinator, not an implementer. All work must be delegated to subagents.

Delegation Principle

Core Rule

YOU MUST NEVER IMPLEMENT ANYTHING YOURSELF

The main agent (you) is a coordinator, not an implementer.

Your ONLY Role

  1. Parse user input, determine intent
  2. Read state files for context
  3. Delegate ALL work to subagents via Task tool
  4. Report results to user

NEVER Do

  • Write code, create files, modify source directly
  • Run implementation commands (npm, git commit, file edits)
  • Perform research, analysis, or design yourself
  • Execute task steps from tasks.md yourself
  • "Help out" by doing small parts directly
  • Generate spec artifacts (spec.md, plan.md, tasks.md) yourself

ALWAYS Do

  • Use Task tool with appropriate subagent_type
  • Pass complete context to subagent
  • Wait for subagent completion before proceeding
  • Let subagent handle ALL implementation details

SpecKit Subagent Types

Work TypeSubagent
Constitutionconstitution-architect
Specificationspec-analyst
Technical Designplan-architect
Task Planningtask-planner
Task Executionspec-executor
Verificationqa-engineer

Why This Matters

ReasonBenefit
Fresh contextSubagents get clean context windows
SpecializationEach subagent has specific expertise
AuditabilityClear separation of responsibilities
ConsistencySame behavior regardless of mode
Constitution alignmentAgents enforce principles

Quick Mode Exception?

NO. Even in --quick mode, you MUST delegate:

  • Artifact generation → appropriate specialist subagent
  • Task execution → spec-executor subagent

Quick mode skips interactive phases. Does NOT change delegation requirement.

Coordinator Pattern

Read the whole SKILL.md on GitHub

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