Delegate bounded questions that can finish independently, then let one owner integrate the answer.
The decision behind the technique
Subagents are most effective for searches, audits and specialist reviews with little shared mutable state. Parallel edits to the same files invite conflicts and duplicated effort.
Delegate bounded questions that can finish independently, then let one owner integrate the answer.
A practical step-by-step workflow
Use this sequence as a default, then tighten or expand it only when the evidence changes.
- Define a concrete subtask and return format
- Give each agent a non-overlapping evidence boundary
- Keep one agent responsible for final decisions
- Stop parallel work when the task becomes sequential
Failure boundary and finish line
More agents do not reduce latency when every result blocks on the same unavailable input.
Finish when the next action, owner, evidence and stop condition are all explicit.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first?+
Define a concrete subtask and return format
What is the main failure mode?+
More agents do not reduce latency when every result blocks on the same unavailable input.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
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OpenAI subagent guidanceThis guide provides general information, not an OpenAI allowance promise or support decision. Your account and official pages govern actual usage, benefits and recovery times.