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Delegation & Parallel Work

Delegation & Parallel Work

Intermediate12 minutes3 questions2026-08-09
The idea in one minute

Start with meaning, then move to detail.

This lesson explains Delegation & Parallel Work as part of extending Hermes and connecting external tools. You will learn what it does, when it matters, and the smallest safe test that proves it works.

If you are new

If you are new, do not memorize names. Focus on three questions: what problem does this solve, what access does it need, and how can you verify the result?

For hands-on use

For practice, inspect the first example, identify its effects, run it on test data, and compare the result with the source claim.

For specialists

For advanced readers, inspect When to Delegate, Pattern: Parallel Research, Pattern: Code Review, then verify failure modes and version compatibility.

What do you need first?

Complete installation and one successful task before adding new capabilities.

What will you know?

A clear outcome before you read.

  • Understand Delegation & Parallel Work without assumed prior knowledge.
  • Separate the source description from what still needs testing in your environment.
  • Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.
Lesson terms

Short definitions before the details.

Tool
A structured action the agent can call to read or change something.
Official page description

When and how to use subagent delegation — patterns for parallel research, code review, and multi-file work

Topic map

What does the source say, and in what order?

  1. 01
    When to Delegate

    Start here to understand the core idea or structure.

  2. 02
    Pattern: Parallel Research

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  3. 03
    Pattern: Code Review

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  4. 04
    Pattern: Compare Alternatives

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  5. 05
    Pattern: Multi-File Refactoring

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  6. 06
    Pattern: Gather Then Analyze

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  7. 07
    Inherited Tool Access

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  8. 08
    Constraints

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  9. 09
    Tuning Concurrency and Depth

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  10. 10
    Tips

    Finish here to verify the result and special cases.

Examples from the official page

Copy only after you understand the effect.

Research these three topics in parallel: 1. Current state of WebAssembly outside the browser 2. RISC-V server chip adoption in 2025 3. Practical quantum computing applications Focus on recent developments and key players.
All three run concurrently. Each subagent searches the web independently and returns a summary. The parent agent then synthesizes them into a coherent briefing. --- ## Pattern: Code Review Delegate a security review to a fresh-context subagent that approaches the code without preconceptions:
The key is the `context` field — it must include everything the subagent needs:
Try it now

Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.

Match every command to your installed Hermes version, review the files and accounts it can reach, and use non-sensitive data for the first test. If this explanation differs from the source, the official source wins.

Knowledge check

Three decisions before completion.

1. What is the source of truth when “Delegation & Parallel Work” changes?
2. What is the best way to apply this lesson?
3. What should happen before a step can modify files or an external account?