/subagent-driven-development

description: Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks. Dispatches
  fresh delegate_task per task with two-stage review (spec compliance then code quality).
version: 1.1.0
license: MIT
metadata:
  catalog:
    tags:
    - delegation
    - subagent
    - implementation
    - workflow
    - parallel
    related_skills:
    - writing-plans
    - requesting-code-review
    - test-driven-development

Kheish Compatibility

This skill is repo-local and stays inactive until explicitly activated.

When the original instructions refer to legacy tool names, use these Kheish mappings:

• `terminal` => `bash`
• `web_extract` => `web_fetch`, plus `web_search` when discovery is needed
• `search_files` => `grep_search` and `glob_search`
• `browser_*` tools require a browser-capable surfaced tool or MCP; if none is available, use the closest available surface and say so explicitly

When the instructions mention local helper files, resolve them from `${KHEISH_SKILL_DIR}`.

Subagent-Driven Development

Overview

Execute implementation plans by dispatching fresh subagents per task with systematic two-stage review.

**Core principle:** Fresh subagent per task + two-stage review (spec then quality) = high quality, fast iteration.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• You have an implementation plan (from writing-plans skill or user requirements)
• Tasks are mostly independent
• Quality and spec compliance are important
• You want automated review between tasks

**vs. manual execution:**

• Fresh context per task (no confusion from accumulated state)
• Automated review process catches issues early
• Consistent quality checks across all tasks
• Subagents can ask questions before starting work

The Process

1. Read and Parse Plan

Read the plan file. Extract ALL tasks with their full text and context upfront. Create a todo list:

# Read the plan
read_file("docs/plans/feature-plan.md")

# Create todo list with all tasks
todo([
    {"id": "task-1", "content": "Create User model with email field", "status": "pending"},
    {"id": "task-2", "content": "Add password hashing utility", "status": "pending"},
    {"id": "task-3", "content": "Create login endpoint", "status": "pending"},
])

**Key:** Read the plan ONCE. Extract everything. Don't make subagents read the plan file — provide the full task text directly in context.

2. Per-Task Workflow

For EACH task in the plan:

Step 1: Dispatch Implementer Subagent

Use `delegate_task` with complete context:

delegate_task(
    goal="Implement Task 1: Create User model with email and password_hash fields",
    context="""
    TASK FROM PLAN:
    - Create: src/models/user.py
    - Add User class with email (str) and password_hash (str) fields
    - Use bcrypt for password hashing
    - Include __repr__ for debugging

    FOLLOW TDD:
    1. Write failing test in tests/models/test_user.py
    2. Run: pytest tests/models/test_user.py -v (verify FAIL)
    3. Write minimal implementation
    4. Run: pytest tests/models/test_user.py -v (verify PASS)
    5. Run: pytest tests/ -q (verify no regressions)
    6. Commit: git add -A && git commit -m "feat: add User model with password hashing"

    PROJECT CONTEXT:
    - Python 3.11, Flask app in src/app.py
    - Existing models in src/models/
    - Tests use pytest, run from project root
    - bcrypt already in requirements.txt
    """,
    toolsets=['terminal', 'file']
)

Step 2: Dispatch Spec Compliance Reviewer

After the implementer completes, verify against the original spec:

delegate_task(
    goal="Review if implementation matches the spec from the plan",
    context="""
    ORIGINAL TASK SPEC:
    - Create src/models/user.py with User class
    - Fields: email (str), password_hash (str)
    - Use bcrypt for password hashing
    - Include __repr__

    CHECK:
    - [ ] All requirements from spec implemented?
    - [ ] File paths match spec?
    - [ ] Function signatures match spec?
    - [ ] Behavior matches expected?
    - [ ] Nothing extra added (no scope creep)?

    OUTPUT: PASS or list of specific spec gaps to fix.
    """,
    toolsets=['file']
)

**If spec issues found:** Fix gaps, then re-run spec review. Continue only when spec-compliant.

Step 3: Dispatch Code Quality Reviewer

After spec compliance passes:

delegate_task(
    goal="Review code quality for Task 1 implementation",
    context="""
    FILES TO REVIEW:
    - src/models/user.py
    - tests/models/test_user.py

    CHECK:
    - [ ] Follows project conventions and style?
    - [ ] Proper error handling?
    - [ ] Clear variable/function names?
    - [ ] Adequate test coverage?
    - [ ] No obvious bugs or missed edge cases?
    - [ ] No security issues?

    OUTPUT FORMAT:
    - Critical Issues: [must fix before proceeding]
    - Important Issues: [should fix]
    - Minor Issues: [optional]
    - Verdict: APPROVED or REQUEST_CHANGES
    """,
    toolsets=['file']
)

**If quality issues found:** Fix issues, re-review. Continue only when approved.

Step 4: Mark Complete

todo([{"id": "task-1", "content": "Create User model with email field", "status": "completed"}], merge=True)

3. Final Review

After ALL tasks are complete, dispatch a final integration reviewer:

delegate_task(
    goal="Review the entire implementation for consistency and integration issues",
    context="""
    All tasks from the plan are complete. Review the full implementation:
    - Do all components work together?
    - Any inconsistencies between tasks?
    - All tests passing?
    - Ready for merge?
    """,
    toolsets=['terminal', 'file']
)

4. Verify and Commit

# Run full test suite
pytest tests/ -q

# Review all changes
git diff --stat

# Final commit if needed
git add -A && git commit -m "feat: complete [feature name] implementation"

Task Granularity

**Each task = 2-5 minutes of focused work.**

**To