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Parallel Feature Development

Split a feature across multiple AI agents with file ownership rules to avoid merge conflicts

Source Download skill
Repository
wshobson/agents
Stars
42,095
Licence
MIT
Files
3 files

What it does

When installed, the agent gains a playbook for dividing a large software feature among several AI agents working at the same time. It advises on assigning each agent specific directories, modules, or layers, enforcing a one-owner-per-file rule, defining shared interface contracts so agents can build against each other's APIs early, and choosing between vertical slices, horizontal layers, or a hybrid. It also covers single versus multi-branch git workflows and common troubleshooting such as merge conflicts and blocked implementers.

Great for

  • Engineers coordinating several AI coding agents on one codebase
  • Tech leads planning how to split a full-stack feature into independent work streams
  • Teams using multi-agent setups who keep hitting merge conflicts

Skip it if

  • Solo work on a small change, where the coordination overhead adds no value
  • Teams not using multiple agents or parallel branches, since most guidance assumes concurrent implementers
  • Expecting the skill to actually run git or split code for you: it provides guidance and templates, not automation

Try asking

  • “Break this authentication feature into parallel work streams for three agents with no overlapping files”
  • “Should we build this checkout flow as vertical slices or horizontal layers?”
  • “Design a shared interface contract so the frontend and API agents can work at the same time”
  • “Set up file ownership and a branch strategy for four agents working on the reporting module”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Parallel Feature DevelopmentInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 3 original files, the MIT licence and an attribution note.

    parallel-feature-development.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip parallel-feature-development.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip parallel-feature-development.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Give the agent your directory layout or module list so it can propose concrete ownership assignments rather than generic ones.
  • Ask for a designated owner for barrel or index files early, since these are a common source of conflicts.
  • Treat the interface contract as the first deliverable so parallel implementers have something stable to code against.

What's inside

  • references/file-ownership.md
  • references/merge-strategies.md
  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from wshobson/agents under the MIT licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.