clanker-agent/packages/clanker-teams/skills/teams.md

description
Coordinate multiple agents working on a project using shared task lists and messaging via tmux or Zellij.

Agent Teams

Coordinate multiple agents working on a project using shared task lists and messaging via tmux or Zellij.

Workflow

1. Create a team: Use team_create(team_name="my-team").
2. Spawn teammates: Use spawn_teammate to start additional agents. Give them specific roles and initial prompts.
3. Manage tasks:
   • task_create: Define work for the team.
   • task_list: List all tasks to monitor progress or find available work.
   • task_get: Get full details of a specific task by ID.
   • task_update: Update a task's status (pending, in_progress, completed, deleted) or owner.
4. Communicate: Use send_message to give instructions or receive updates. Teammates should use read_inbox to check for messages.
5. Monitor: Use check_teammate to see if they are still running and if they have sent messages back.
6. Cleanup:
   • force_kill_teammate: Forcibly stop a teammate and remove them from the team.
   • process_shutdown_approved: Orderly removal of a teammate after they've finished.
   • team_delete: Remove a team and all its associated data.

Teammate Instructions

When you are spawned as a teammate:

• Your status bar will show "Teammate: name @ team".
• You will automatically start by calling read_inbox to get your initial instructions.
• Regularly check read_inbox for updates from the lead.
• Use send_message to "team-lead" to report progress or ask questions.
• Update your assigned tasks using task_update.
• If you are idle for more than 30 seconds, you will automatically check your inbox for new messages.

Best Practices for Teammates

• Update Task Status: As you work, use task_update to set your tasks to in_progress and then completed.
• Frequent Communication: Send short summaries of your work back to team-lead frequently.
• Context Matters: When you finish a task, send a message explaining your results and any new files you created.
• Independence: If you get stuck, try to solve it yourself first, but don't hesitate to ask team-lead for clarification.
• Orderly Shutdown: When you've finished all your work and have no more instructions, notify the lead and wait for shutdown approval.

Best Practices for Team Leads

• Clear Assignments: Use task_create for all significant work items.
• Contextual Prompts: Provide enough context in spawn_teammate for the teammate to understand their specific role.
• Task List Monitoring: Regularly call task_list to see the status of all work.
• Direct Feedback: Use send_message to provide course corrections or new instructions to teammates.
• Read Config: Use read_config to see the full team roster and their current status.