/skill-parallel-agents

name: skill-parallel-agents
description: "Decompose large tasks across parallel agents — use for migrations, multi-file refactors, or batch work"
disable-model-invocation: true

> **Host: Codex CLI** — This skill was designed for Claude Code and adapted for Codex. > Cross-reference commands use installed skill names in Codex rather than `/octo:*` slash commands. > Use the active Codex shell and subagent tools. Do not claim a provider, model, or host subagent is available until the current session exposes it. > For host tool equivalents, see `skills/blocks/codex-host-adapter.md`.

Claude Octopus - Multi-Tentacled Orchestrator

MANDATORY COMPLIANCE — DO NOT SKIP

**When this skill is invoked, you MUST dispatch work to multiple providers in parallel. You are PROHIBITED from:**

• Running tasks sequentially with a single model instead of parallel multi-provider dispatch
• Skipping orchestrate.sh and doing the work directly
• Deciding the task is "simple enough" for a single provider
• Substituting serial Claude-only execution for multi-LLM parallel execution

**This skill exists specifically for multi-provider parallel work. If you catch yourself thinking "I'll just do this myself" — STOP.**

**Multi-tentacled orchestrator for Claude Code** - using Double Diamond methodology for comprehensive problem exploration, consensus building, and validated delivery.

    DISCOVER          DEFINE           DEVELOP          DELIVER
      (probe)         (grasp)          (tangle)          (ink)

    \         /     \         /     \         /     \         /
     \   *   /       \   *   /       \   *   /       \   *   /
      \ * * /         \     /         \ * * /         \     /
       \   /           \   /           \   /           \   /
        \ /             \ /             \ /             \ /

   Diverge then      Converge to      Diverge with     Converge to
    converge          problem          solutions        delivery

Quick Start

> **Note for Claude Code users:** You don't need to run these commands! Just talk naturally to Claude: > - "Research OAuth authentication patterns" > - "Build a user authentication system" > - "Review this code for security issues" > > The commands below are for direct CLI usage or automation.

# Full Double Diamond workflow (all 4 phases)
${HOME}/.claude-octopus/plugin/scripts/orchestrate.sh embrace "Build a user authentication system"

# Individual phases
${HOME}/.claude-octopus/plugin/scripts/orchestrate.sh probe "Research authentication best practices"
${HOME}/.claude-octopus/plugin/scripts/orchestrate.sh grasp "Define auth requirements"
${HOME}/.claude-octopus/plugin/scripts/orchestrate.sh tangle "Implement auth feature"
${HOME}/.claude-octopus/plugin/scripts/orchestrate.sh ink "Validate and deliver auth implementation"

# Crossfire: Adversarial cross-model review
${HOME}/.claude-octopus/plugin/scripts/orchestrate.sh grapple "implement password reset API"
${HOME}/.claude-octopus/plugin/scripts/orchestrate.sh grapple --principles security "implement JWT auth"
${HOME}/.claude-octopus/plugin/scripts/orchestrate.sh squeeze "review auth.ts for vulnerabilities"

# Smart auto-routing (detects intent automatically)
${HOME}/.claude-octopus/plugin/scripts/orchestrate.sh auto "research OAuth patterns"           # -> probe
${HOME}/.claude-octopus/plugin/scripts/orchestrate.sh auto "build user login"                  # -> tangle + ink
${HOME}/.claude-octopus/plugin/scripts/orchestrate.sh auto "review the auth code"              # -> ink

IMPORTANT: When NOT to Use This Skill

**DO NOT use this skill if the user's request involves:**

1. **Built-in Claude Code commands** - Commands starting with `/` that are part of Claude Code itself:

• `/plugin` - Plugin management (add, remove, update, list)
• `/init` - Project initialization
• `/help` - Help documentation
• `/clear` - Clear conversation
• `/commit` - Git commit operations
• `/remember` - Memory management
• Any other `/` command that isn't `/parallel-agents` or `/octo:*`

2. **Direct tool usage** - Simple file operations, git commands, or terminal tasks

• Reading/writing files
• Running git commands
• Basic bash operations
• These should use built-in tools directly

3. **Claude Code configuration** - Managing Claude Code itself

• Changing settings
• Managing plugins
• Updating Claude Code

**If the user's request matches any of the above, DO NOT activate this skill. Handle the request using standard Claude Code tools and capabilities instead.**

Visual Indicators - Know What's Running

Claude Octopus uses **visual indicators** so you always know which AI is responding:

| Indicator | Meaning | Uses | |-----------|---------|------| | 🐙 | **Parallel Mode** | Multiple CLIs orchestrated via orchestrate.sh | | 🔴 | **Codex CLI** | OpenAI Codex (your OPENAI_API_KEY) | | 🧭 | **Antigravity CLI** | Google Antigravity (your authenticated seat) | | 🔵 | **Claude Subagent** | Claude Code host subagent tool (built-in) |

What Triggers External CLIs vs Subagents

**External CLIs execute when:**

• Using `/parallel-agents` command explicitly
• Using `/octo:debate` command (AI Debate Hub)
• Running orchestrate.sh workflows (probe, grasp, tangle, ink, embrace, grapple, squeeze)
• Knowledge mode deliberation (when Knowledge Mode is ON)
• Natural language that triggers this skill (research, build, review tasks)

**Claude Subagents execute when:**

• Simple file operations (read, write, edit)
• Git commands and bash operations
• Code reading and navigation
• Tasks that don't need multiple perspectives
• Built-in Claude Code capabilities are sufficient

**Why this matters:** External CLIs use your OpenAI/Google API quotas and incur costs. Claude subagents are included with Claude Code at no additional charge.

When you see 🐙 **CLAUDE OCTOPUS ACTIVATED**, external CLI providers such as Codex, Antigravity, and others will be invoked for multi-perspective