
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- Repository
- tzachbon/smart-ralph566
- 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
- Parse user input, determine intent
- Read state files for context
- Delegate ALL work to subagents via Task tool
- 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
Tasktool with appropriatesubagent_type - Pass complete context to subagent
- Wait for subagent completion before proceeding
- Let subagent handle ALL implementation details
SpecKit Subagent Types
| Work Type | Subagent |
|---|---|
| Constitution | constitution-architect |
| Specification | spec-analyst |
| Technical Design | plan-architect |
| Task Planning | task-planner |
| Task Execution | spec-executor |
| Verification | qa-engineer |
Why This Matters
| Reason | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Fresh context | Subagents get clean context windows |
| Specialization | Each subagent has specific expertise |
| Auditability | Clear separation of responsibilities |
| Consistency | Same behavior regardless of mode |
| Constitution alignment | Agents enforce principles |
Quick Mode Exception?
NO. Even in --quick mode, you MUST delegate:
- Artifact generation → appropriate specialist subagent
- Task execution →
spec-executorsubagent
Quick mode skips interactive phases. Does NOT change delegation requirement.

