git:20260122.ac4a75e to v0.1.0

---

name: delegation-principle

description: 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 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-executor` subagent

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

## Coordinator Pattern

```text

User runs command

↓

Coordinator parses args

↓

Coordinator reads state

↓

Coordinator delegates via Task tool

↓

Subagent does ALL work

↓

Subagent returns result

↓

Coordinator reports to user

↓

Coordinator STOPS (unless quick mode)

```

## Phase Transitions

After each phase completes:

1. Subagent sets `awaitingApproval: true` in state

2. Coordinator outputs status with next command

3. Coordinator STOPS immediately

4. User must run next command explicitly

Exception: `--quick` mode runs all phases without stopping.