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coder/docs/ai-coder
Michael Suchacz f073323c89 refactor: unify subagent spawn behind spawn_subagent (#24535)
Unify the three subagent spawn tools (`spawn_agent`,
`spawn_explore_agent`, `spawn_computer_use_agent`) behind a single
`spawn_subagent` tool keyed by a `subagent_type` discriminant
(`general`, `explore`, `computer_use`). Mirrors the single-entry-point
pattern already used by `task` in mux while keeping `wait_agent`,
`message_agent`, and `close_agent` as separate lifecycle tools.

A new backend subagent definition catalog
(`coderd/x/chatd/subagent_catalog.go`) is the source of truth for tool
description, prompt guidance, availability rules (plan mode,
desktop/Anthropic gating), and child-chat option building.
`spawn_subagent` advertises only the types available in the current
context and validates `subagent_type` server-side; context inheritance
still flows through the existing `createChildSubagentChatWithOptions`
path. `wait_agent`, `message_agent`, and `close_agent` responses now
include a server-derived `subagent_type` so the UI stops inferring
lifecycle state from tool names.

The frontend gets a shared normalization helper
(`site/src/pages/AgentsPage/components/ChatElements/tools/subagentDescriptor.ts`)
that maps either legacy tool names or new `spawn_subagent` args into a
common descriptor (action, variant, icon, fallback copy). Legacy
transcripts still render identically; `Tool.tsx`, `SubagentTool.tsx`,
`ToolLabel.tsx`, `ToolIcon.tsx`, and `messageParsing.ts` now key off the
descriptor instead of hard-coded names. Existing UI copy is preserved
(`Spawning Explore agent...`, `Using the computer...`, computer-use
monitor icon and Open Desktop affordance).

> This PR was opened by Mux working on Mike's behalf.
2026-04-21 14:01:32 +02:00
..
2025-07-07 08:21:59 -04:00