agent-design-patterns

Subagent design patterns are proven archetypes—Explorer, Builder, Surgeon, Orchestrator, Specialist, Guardian, and Connector—that guide selecting and coordinating 3-5 agents to match specific project needs within the MCP ecosystem.

To compose subagents for scalable automation, select a 3-5 agent roster matching your project shape, such as combining 2 Specialists for task execution with 1 Guardian for quality enforcement and monitoring.

Use the Builder pattern for creation tasks and the Orchestrator pattern to coordinate multiple subagents. The seven archetypes provide specific guidance on when to apply each based on your project requirements.

Yes, these subagent design patterns enforce pattern-driven roles, collaboration rules, and scalable architectures specifically within the MCP ecosystem, ensuring robust agent coordination for MCP-based projects.

The recommended subagent team size for common project shapes is 3-5 agents. You review the seven available patterns and select a composition that aligns with your specific project requirements.

You need a Guardian agent when your project requires quality enforcement and monitoring. The Guardian is one of seven proven archetypes designed to enforce rules and maintain standards within a subagent architecture.