Parallel Task Runner

Coordinate plan files by launching multiple parallel subagents for unblocked tasks.

How to use it

Claude Code
  1. Run the line below. It pulls the whole folder into ~/.claude/skills/parallel-task, including the files SKILL.md points to.
  2. Describe your job in plain words. Claude Code follows the skill from there.
Claude Code — installs the whole folder, not just SKILL.md
npx degit jdrhyne/agent-skills/skills/parallel-task#main ~/.claude/skills/parallel-task

For one project only, change the path to .claude/skills/parallel-task. This skill also uses plan.md, user-profile-plan.md — copying SKILL.md alone won't be enough. See the folder on GitHub.

Claude (web or desktop app)
  1. On this page open ⋯ → Download .md.
  2. Save it as SKILL.md in a folder, zip the folder, then Customize → Skills → + → Create skill → Upload a skill.
  3. Pick the file and Save. Claude shows the name and description and runs a security scan.
  4. Check the skill is switched on.
  5. Start a new chat and describe your job in plain words. The AI follows the skill from there.
ChatGPT or another app
  1. ChatGPT: make a Project and paste it into Instructions.
  2. Neither? Paste it at the top of a new chat — it works for that chat.
Not working?
  • Check which app you pasted it into — the steps above name the right one.
  • Some skills need the paid tier of Claude or ChatGPT.
Step-by-step guide with screenshots · Ask in the forum

Paste into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor.

Source of Parallel Task Runner

Show the full text159 lines
namedescriptioncredits
parallel-taskCoordinate plan files by launching multiple parallel subagents for unblocked tasks. Triggers on explicit "/parallel-task" commands.| Original skill by [@am-will](https://github.com/am-will)

Parallel Task Runner

Use Orchestration Mode. Parse plan files and delegate tasks to parallel subagents.

Safety Boundaries

  • Do not launch subagents for tasks that share write scope until the dependency is resolved.
  • Do not continue past blockers silently; surface the blocked task and stop that branch of work.
  • Do not mark tasks complete until validation from the plan has actually been checked.
  • Do not run this skill unless the user explicitly invoked /parallel-task or clearly asked for parallel agent work.

Process

Step 1: Parse Request

Extract from user request:

  1. Plan file: The markdown plan to read
  2. Sprint/Phase (optional): Which section to run

If sprint not provided, ask user which to run.

Step 2: Read & Parse Plan
  1. Find sprint/phase section (e.g., ## Sprint 1:)
  2. Extract task subsections (e.g., ### Task 1.1:)
  3. For each task, extract:
    • Task ID and name
    • Full content (description, location, acceptance criteria, validation)
  4. Build task list
Step 3: Launch Subagents

For each task, launch subagent with:

  • description: "Implement task [ID]: [name]"
  • prompt: Use template below

If there are multiple unblocked tasks, launch multiple subagents in parallel.

Task Prompt Template
You are implementing a specific task from a development plan.

## Context
- Plan: [filename] - [sprint/phase]
- Goals: [relevant overview from plan]
- Dependencies: [prerequisites for this task]
- Related tasks: [tasks in same sprint]
- Constraints: [risks from plan]

## Your Task
**Task [ID]: [Name]**

Location: [File paths]
Description: [Full description]

Acceptance Criteria:
[List from plan]

Validation:
[Tests or verification from plan]

## Instructions
1. Examine and explore the plan, all relevant files & dependencies. Ensure ambiguities are cleared up.
2. Implement changes for all acceptance criteria
3. Keep work **atomic and committable**
4. For each file: read first, edit carefully, preserve formatting
5. Run validation if feasible
6. Return summary of:
   - Files modified/created
   - Changes made
   - How criteria are satisfied
   - Validation performed or deferred

## Important
- Be careful with paths
- Stop and describe blockers if encountered
- Focus on this specific task
Step 4: Monitor & Log

After subagents complete:

  1. Collect results
  2. ALWAYS mark completed tasks and update with:
    • Concise work log
    • Files modified/created
    • Errors or gotchas encountered
Step 5: Repeat

Now, pause and read the whole plan again to see what new tasks are unblocked.

Start back at step 3. Continue launching agents on unblocked tasks in parallel.

Repeat this loop until the plan is done.

Do not stop until the plan is fully completed or you encounter a blocker.

Step 6: Validate

After completing all tasks, validate the plan's success by checking the final state against the original plan. Perform available tests and ensure success. If there are any issues, address them before marking the plan as complete.

After validation, provide a summary of:

  • Files modified/created
  • Changes made
  • How criteria are satisfied
  • Validation performed or deferred

Error Handling

  • Sprint not found: List available sprints/phases
  • Parse failure: Show what was tried, ask for clarification

Example Usage

/parallel-task plan.md
/parallel-task ./plans/auth-plan.md sprint 2
/parallel-task user-profile-plan.md phase 1

Run Summary Template

# Sprint/Phase Run Summary

## Tasks Assigned: [N]

### Completed
- Task [ID]: [Name] - [Brief summary]

### Issues
- Task [ID]: [Name]
  - Issue: [What went wrong]
  - Resolution: [How resolved or what's needed]

### Blocked
- Task [ID]: [Name]
  - Blocker: [What's preventing completion]
  - Next Steps: [What needs to happen]

## Overall Status
[Completion summary]

## Files Modified
[List of changed files]

## Next Steps
[Recommendations]
1---
2name: parallel-task
3description: Coordinate plan files by launching multiple parallel subagents for unblocked tasks. Triggers on explicit "/parallel-task" commands.
4credits: |
5 Original skill by [@am-will](https://github.com/am-will)
6---
7 
8# Parallel Task Runner
9 
10Use Orchestration Mode. Parse plan files and delegate tasks to parallel subagents.
11 
12## Safety Boundaries
13 
14- Do not launch subagents for tasks that share write scope until the dependency is resolved.
15- Do not continue past blockers silently; surface the blocked task and stop that branch of work.
16- Do not mark tasks complete until validation from the plan has actually been checked.
17- Do not run this skill unless the user explicitly invoked `/parallel-task` or clearly asked for parallel agent work.
18 
19## Process
20 
21### Step 1: Parse Request
22 
23Extract from user request:
241. **Plan file**: The markdown plan to read
252. **Sprint/Phase** (optional): Which section to run
26 
27If sprint not provided, ask user which to run.
28 
29### Step 2: Read & Parse Plan
30 
311. Find sprint/phase section (e.g., `## Sprint 1:`)
322. Extract task subsections (e.g., `### Task 1.1:`)
333. For each task, extract:
34 - Task ID and name
35 - Full content (description, location, acceptance criteria, validation)
364. Build task list
37 
38### Step 3: Launch Subagents
39 
40For each task, launch subagent with:
41- **description**: "Implement task [ID]: [name]"
42- **prompt**: Use template below
43 
44If there are multiple unblocked tasks, launch multiple subagents in parallel.
45 
46### Task Prompt Template
47 
48```
49You are implementing a specific task from a development plan.
50 
51## Context
52- Plan: [filename] - [sprint/phase]
53- Goals: [relevant overview from plan]
54- Dependencies: [prerequisites for this task]
55- Related tasks: [tasks in same sprint]
56- Constraints: [risks from plan]
57 
58## Your Task
59**Task [ID]: [Name]**
60 
61Location: [File paths]
62Description: [Full description]
63 
64Acceptance Criteria:
65[List from plan]
66 
67Validation:
68[Tests or verification from plan]
69 
70## Instructions
711. Examine and explore the plan, all relevant files & dependencies. Ensure ambiguities are cleared up.
722. Implement changes for all acceptance criteria
733. Keep work **atomic and committable**
744. For each file: read first, edit carefully, preserve formatting
755. Run validation if feasible
766. Return summary of:
77 - Files modified/created
78 - Changes made
79 - How criteria are satisfied
80 - Validation performed or deferred
81 
82## Important
83- Be careful with paths
84- Stop and describe blockers if encountered
85- Focus on this specific task
86```
87 
88### Step 4: Monitor & Log
89 
90After subagents complete:
911. Collect results
922. **ALWAYS mark completed tasks** and update with:
93 - Concise work log
94 - Files modified/created
95 - Errors or gotchas encountered
96 
97### Step 5: Repeat
98 
99Now, pause and read the whole plan again to see what new tasks are unblocked.
100 
101Start back at step 3. Continue launching agents on unblocked tasks in parallel.
102 
103Repeat this loop until the plan is done.
104 
105Do not stop until the plan is fully completed or you encounter a blocker.
106 
107## Step 6: Validate
108 
109After completing all tasks, validate the plan's success by checking the final state against the original plan. Perform available tests and ensure success. If there are any issues, address them before marking the plan as complete.
110 
111After validation, provide a summary of:
112- Files modified/created
113- Changes made
114- How criteria are satisfied
115- Validation performed or deferred
116 
117## Error Handling
118 
119- Sprint not found: List available sprints/phases
120- Parse failure: Show what was tried, ask for clarification
121 
122## Example Usage
123 
124```
125/parallel-task plan.md
126/parallel-task ./plans/auth-plan.md sprint 2
127/parallel-task user-profile-plan.md phase 1
128```
129 
130## Run Summary Template
131 
132```markdown
133# Sprint/Phase Run Summary
134 
135## Tasks Assigned: [N]
136 
137### Completed
138- Task [ID]: [Name] - [Brief summary]
139 
140### Issues
141- Task [ID]: [Name]
142 - Issue: [What went wrong]
143 - Resolution: [How resolved or what's needed]
144 
145### Blocked
146- Task [ID]: [Name]
147 - Blocker: [What's preventing completion]
148 - Next Steps: [What needs to happen]
149 
150## Overall Status
151[Completion summary]
152 
153## Files Modified
154[List of changed files]
155 
156## Next Steps
157[Recommendations]
158```
159 

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