subagent

general-purpose — Claude Code subagent: features and install

Q: How do I install general-purpose in Claude Code?

Run `npx claude-code-templates@latest --agent development-tools/general-purpose`, then use `.claude/agents/general-purpose.md`.

Q: Which tools can general-purpose use?

It has access to `Read`, `Write`, `Edit`, `Bash`, `Grep`, and `Glob`. Since `Write`, `Edit`, and `Bash` are included, it can modify files and run commands.

This subagent plans complex work, carries out its steps, and can hand parts to specialist agents. Use it for multi-step programming tasks.

Install into Claude Code · claude-code-templates All methods and platforms ↓

npx claude-code-templates@latest --agent development-tools/general-purpose

Open on GitHub

What general-purpose does

general-purpose examines a task, divides complex requirements into manageable work, and uses Read, Write, Edit, Bash, Grep, and Glob to carry it out. When a specialist agent fits part of the task, it can delegate that portion. It checks results along the way and can revise them.

The agent is intended for general programming work and tracking multi-step tasks. Its tools include Write, Edit, and Bash, so it can change project files and run commands. To add it to Claude Code, run the installation command and use .claude/agents/general-purpose.md.

What it helps with

break a complex task into manageable steps
hand part of a task to a specialist agent
carry out a multi-stage programming task
check results and revise the work

Example prompts for the agent

Analyze the requirements, plan the changes, and implement them in this project.
Find a suitable specialist agent and delegate the analysis of this component.
Work through this task step by step and check the result before finishing.

How to install general-purpose

1claude-code-templates

npx claude-code-templates@latest --agent development-tools/general-purpose

2Manually: put the files in place

.claude/agents/general-purpose.md

For all projects use ~/.claude/agents/. Claude delegates by the description field or an @-mention

Manually: put the files in place

.codex/agents/general-purpose.toml

Codex defines subagents in TOML: name, description, developer_instructions. Move the Markdown text into developer_instructions by hand. For all projects use ~/.codex/agents/

Manually: put the files in place

.cursor/agents/general-purpose.md

Cursor also reads .claude/agents/

Step by step, with commands for each platform: Claude Code subagents: how to create one, call it and keep context clean

Questions about general-purpose

How do I install general-purpose in Claude Code?

Run npx claude-code-templates@latest --agent development-tools/general-purpose, then use .claude/agents/general-purpose.md.

What does general-purpose do?

It plans complex work, executes it with its available tools, and can delegate portions to specialist agents. It also checks intermediate results.

Which tools can general-purpose use?

It has access to Read, Write, Edit, Bash, Grep, and Glob. Since Write, Edit, and Bash are included, it can modify files and run commands.

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