stage · Upgrading your AI
38Subagents
When it calls in helpers, and when that's a waste
An advanced feature worth knowing about, though you don't have to use it straight away.
Some agents can launch other agents - small helpers for separate tasks. Each works in its own head and brings the result back.
When it genuinely helps: you need to look through a lot of files at once, check a dozen independent things, search in several places simultaneously. Tasks that don't depend on each other are the ideal case.
When it only gets in the way: the task is small and sequential. Each helper works out the context from scratch, spends tokens, and then the main agent reads its report. On a simple task that's slower and more expensive than doing it yourself.
My experience: on my own projects I almost always work without them. Helpers are good for a big sweep; in everyday work they just burn limits.
If you do try them - remember each helper is a separate cost. On a cheap tier they'll run out very quickly.