Delegation Skill

Activate this skill when delegating work to subagents during orchestration execution. This skill provides the templates, rules, and patterns for constructing effective delegation prompts that produce consistent, high-quality results.

Protocol Injection

Before constructing any delegation prompt, inject the shared agent base protocol:

Injection Steps

1. Load agent-base-protocol via get_skill_content
2. Load filesystem-safety-protocol via get_skill_content
3. Prepend both protocols to the delegation prompt (base protocol first, then filesystem safety) — these appear before the task-specific content
4. For each phase listed in the current phase's blocked_by, read phases[].downstream_context from session state and include it in the prompt
5. If any required downstream_context is missing, include an explicit placeholder noting the missing dependency context (never omit silently)

The injected protocol ensures every agent follows consistent pre-work procedures and output formatting regardless of their specialization.

Context Chain Construction

Every delegation prompt must include a context chain that connects the current phase to prior work:

Phase Context: Include Downstream Context blocks from all completed phases that the current phase depends on (identified via blocked_by relationships in the implementation plan and sourced from session state phases[].downstream_context):

Context from completed phases:
- Phase [N] ([agent]): [Downstream Context summary]
  - Interfaces introduced: [list with file locations]
  - Patterns established: [list]
  - Integration points: [specific files, functions, endpoints]
  - Warnings: [list]

Accumulated Patterns: Naming conventions, directory organization patterns, and architectural decisions established by earlier phases. This ensures phase 5 does not contradict patterns set in phase 2.

File Manifest: Complete list of files created or modified in prior phases, so the agent knows what already exists and can import from or extend those files.

Missing Context Fallback: If a blocked dependency has no stored downstream context, include a visible placeholder entry in the prompt: - Phase [N] ([agent]): Downstream Context missing in session state — verify dependency output before implementation

Downstream Consumer Declaration

Every delegation prompt must declare who will consume the agent's output:

Your output will be consumed by: [downstream agent name(s)] who need [specific information they require]

This primes the agent to structure their Downstream Context section for maximum utility to the next agent in the chain.

Settings Override Application

Before constructing any delegation prompt, resolve configurable parameters:

1. Read the agent's base definition frontmatter (temperature, max_turns, timeout_mins, tools)
2. Do not invent Maestro-level model, temperature, turn, or timeout overrides. Native delegation uses agent frontmatter defaults plus any runtime-level agent configuration already active in the session.
3. Include only task-relevant execution context in the prompt metadata
4. If the agent appears in MAESTRO_DISABLED_AGENTS, do not construct a delegation prompt — report to the orchestrator that the agent is disabled

Delegation Prompt Template

Every delegation to a subagent must follow this structure:

Task: [One-line description of what to accomplish]

Progress: Phase [N] of [M]: [Phase Name]

Files to modify:
- /absolute/path/to/file1.ext: [Specific change required]
- /absolute/path/to/file2.ext: [Specific change required]

Files to create:
- /absolute/path/to/new-file.ext: [Purpose and key contents]

Deliverables:
- [Concrete output 1]
- [Concrete output 2]

Validation: [command to run after completion, e.g., "npm run lint && npm run test"]

Context:
[Relevant information from the design document or previous phases]

Do NOT:
- [Explicit exclusion 1]
- [Explicit exclusion 2]
- Modify any files not listed above

Scope Boundary Rules

Absolute Paths

Always provide absolute file paths in delegation prompts. Never use relative paths or expect agents to search for files.

Specific Deliverables

Define exactly what the agent should produce. Vague instructions like "implement the feature" lead to inconsistent results. Instead: "Create UserService class with createUser(), getUserById(), and deleteUser() methods implementing the IUserService interface."

Validation Criteria

Include the exact command(s) to run after completion. The agent should run these and report results. Examples:

• npm run lint && npm run test
• cargo build && cargo test
• go vet ./... && go test ./...
• python -m pytest tests/

No Interactive Commands in Delegation Prompts

Never include interactive CLI commands in delegation prompts. Subagents run autonomously without user input. Interactive commands will hang indefinitely.

CORRECT — Delegation prompt specifies direct file creation: "Create package.json with the following content: ..." "Create tsconfig.json, tailwind.config.ts, and src/app/layout.tsx directly" </ANTI-PATTERN>

Exclusions

Explicitly state what the agent must NOT do:

• Files it must not modify
• Dependencies it must not add
• Patterns it must not introduce
• Scope it must not exceed

Agent Selection Guide