agent-developing-agents

Developing AI Agents

Comprehensive guidance for creating AI agents following repository conventions.

Core Requirements

• Frontmatter: name, description, tools, model, color, skills
• Name must match filename exactly
• Use Bash tools for .opencode/ folder operations
• Non-empty skills field required

References

AI Agents Convention

Tool Usage Documentation

Agents should document which tools they use and why, helping users understand capabilities and maintainers understand dependencies.

Tool Documentation Pattern

Add "Tools Usage" section (optional but recommended) listing each tool with its purpose:

## Tools Usage

- **Read**: Read files to validate/create/fix
- **Glob**: Find files by pattern in directories
- **Grep**: Extract content patterns (code blocks, commands, etc.)
- **Write**: Create/update files and reports
- **Bash**: Generate UUIDs, timestamps, file operations
- **Edit**: Apply fixes to existing files
- **WebFetch**: Access official documentation URLs
- **WebSearch**: Find authoritative sources, verify claims

When to Document Tools

Recommended for:

• Agents with 4+ tools (helps users understand capabilities)
• Agents where tool selection isn't obvious
• Agents with unusual tool combinations
• Reference documentation for complex agents

Optional for:

• Simple agents with 2-3 obvious tools
• Agents following standard patterns

Tool Documentation Examples

Checker Agents (Read, Glob, Grep, Write, Bash, WebFetch, WebSearch):

## Tools Usage

- **Read**: Read documentation files to validate
- **Glob**: Find markdown files in directories
- **Grep**: Extract code blocks, commands, version numbers
- **Write**: Generate audit reports to generated-reports/
- **Bash**: Generate UUIDs, timestamps for reports
- **WebFetch**: Access official documentation URLs
- **WebSearch**: Find versions, verify tools, fallback for 403s

Fixer Agents (Read, Edit, Bash, Write):

## Tools Usage

- **Read**: Read audit reports and files to fix
- **Edit**: Apply fixes to docs/ files
- **Bash**: Apply fixes to .opencode/ files (sed, heredoc)
- **Write**: Generate fix reports to generated-reports/

Maker Agents (Read, Write, Glob, Grep):

## Tools Usage

- **Read**: Read existing files for context
- **Write**: Create new documentation files
- **Glob**: Find related files for cross-references
- **Grep**: Extract patterns for consistency

Placement

Add "Tools Usage" section:

• After "Core Responsibility" or main description
• Before detailed workflow sections
• Near top for quick reference

When to Use This Agent

Agents should include guidance on when to use them vs other agents, improving discoverability and preventing misuse.

When to Use Pattern

Add "When to Use This Agent" section with two subsections:

## When to Use This Agent

**Use when**:

- [Primary use case 1]
- [Primary use case 2]
- [Primary use case 3]
- [Specific scenario that fits]

**Do NOT use for**:

- [Anti-pattern 1] (use [other-agent] instead)
- [Anti-pattern 2] (use [alternative-tool/approach])
- [Edge case that doesn't fit]
- [Common misuse scenario]

When to Include

Highly Recommended for:

• Agents with overlapping scopes (e.g., multiple checkers)
• Agents that users might confuse (e.g., maker vs editor)
• Agents with specific prerequisites (e.g., needs audit report)
• Specialized agents with narrow focus

Examples by Agent Type:

Checker Agents:

## When to Use This Agent

**Use when**:

- Validating [domain] content before release
- Checking [domain] after updates
- Reviewing community contributions
- Auditing [domain] for compliance

**Do NOT use for**:

- Link checking (use [link-checker] instead)
- File naming/structure (use [rules-checker])
- Creating new content (use [maker-agent])
- Fixing issues (use [fixer-agent] after review)

Fixer Agents:

## When to Use This Agent

**Use when**:

- After running [checker-agent] - You have an audit report
- Issues found and reviewed - You've reviewed checker's findings
- Automated fixing needed - You want validated issues fixed
- Safety is critical - You need re-validation before changes

**Do NOT use for**:

- Initial validation (use [checker-agent])
- Content creation (use [maker-agent])
- Manual fixes (use Edit tool directly)
- When no audit report exists

Maker Agents:

## When to Use This Agent

**Use when**:

- Creating new [domain] content
- Need standardized structure/format
- Following [domain] conventions
- Building content from templates

**Do NOT use for**:

- Validating existing content (use [checker-agent])
- Fixing issues (use [fixer-agent])
- Bulk updates (use Edit tool for simple changes)
- Content outside [domain] scope

Placement

Add "When to Use This Agent" section:

• After agent description or core responsibility
• Before detailed workflow/process sections
• Early in file for quick reference

Benefits

✅ Improves agent discoverability ✅ Prevents misuse and confusion ✅ Clarifies agent boundaries ✅ Guides users to appropriate alternatives ✅ Reduces trial-and-error

Updated References

AI Agents Convention - Complete specification Agent Documenting References Skill Agent Selecting Models Skill