MCPInstall

deep-agents-orchestration

INVOKE THIS SKILL when using subagents, task planning, or human approval in Deep Agents. Covers SubAgentMiddleware, TodoList for planning, and HITL interrupts.

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Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/langchain-ai/skills-benchmarks --skill deep-agents-orchestration
  1. 01

    Install

    Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.

  2. 02

    Describe the task

    Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads deep-agents-orchestration automatically when relevant.

  3. 03

    Review the result

    The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.

SKILL.md

The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.

<overview> Deep Agents include three orchestration capabilities:
  1. SubAgentMiddleware: Delegate work via task tool to specialized agents
  2. TodoListMiddleware: Plan and track tasks via write_todos tool
  3. HumanInTheLoopMiddleware: Require approval before sensitive operations

All three are automatically included in create_deep_agent(). </overview>


Subagents (Task Delegation)

<when-to-use-subagents>
Use Subagents WhenUse Main Agent When
Task needs specialized toolsGeneral-purpose tools sufficient
Want to isolate complex workSingle-step operation
Need clean context for main agentContext bloat acceptable
</when-to-use-subagents> <how-subagents-work> Main agent has `task` tool -> creates fresh subagent -> subagent executes autonomously -> returns final report.

Default subagent: "general-purpose" - automatically available with same tools/config as main agent. </how-subagents-work>

<ex-custom-subagents> <python> Create a custom "researcher" subagent with specialized tools for academic paper search. ```python from deepagents import create_deep_agent from langchain.tools import tool

@tool def search_papers(query: str) -> str: """Search academic papers.""" return f"Found 10 papers about {query}"

agent = create_deep_agent( subagents=[ { "name": "researcher", "description": "Conduct web research and compile findings", "system_prompt": "Search thoroughly, return concise summary", "tools": [search_papers], } ] )

Main agent delegates: task(agent="researcher", instruction="Research AI trends")

</python>
<typescript>
Create a custom "researcher" subagent with specialized tools for academic paper search.
```typescript
import { createDeepAgent } from "deepagents";
import { tool } from "@langchain/core/tools";
import { z } from "zod";

const searchPapers = tool(
  async ({ query }) => `Found 10 papers about ${query}`,
  { name: "search_papers", description: "Search papers", schema: z.object({ query: z.string() }) }
);

const agent = await createDeepAgent({
  subagents: [
    {
      name: "researcher",
      description: "Conduct web research and compile findings",
      systemPrompt: "Search thoroughly, return concise summary",
      tools: [searchPapers],
    }
  ]
});

// Main agent delegates: task(agent="researcher", instruction="Research AI trends")
</typescript> </ex-custom-subagents> <ex-compiledsubagent> <python> Wrap a prebuilt LangGraph graph as a subagent using CompiledSubAgent. ```python from deepagents import create_deep_agent, CompiledSubAgent from langgraph.graph import StateGraph, MessagesState

builder = StateGraph(MessagesState)

... add nodes/edges ...

graph = builder.compile()

agent = create_deep_agent( subagents=[ CompiledSubAgent( name="my-graph", description="Run the custom LangGraph workflow", runnable=graph, # Must be a compiled graph; state must have "messages" key ) ] )

</python>
</ex-compiledsubagent>

<ex-subagent-with-hitl>
<python>
Configure a subagent with HITL approval for sensitive operations.
```python
from deepagents import create_deep_agent
from langgraph.checkpoint.memory import MemorySaver

agent = create_deep_agent(
    subagents=[
        {
            "name": "code-deployer",
            "description": "Deploy code to production",
            "system_prompt": "You deploy code after tests pass.",
            "tools": [run_tests, deploy_to_prod],
            "interrupt_on": {"deploy_to_prod": True},  # Require approval
        }
    ],
    checkpointer=MemorySaver()  # Required for interrupts
)
</python> </ex-subagent-with-hitl> <fix-subagents-are-stateless> <python> Subagents are stateless - provide complete instructions in a single call. ```python # WRONG: Subagents don't remember previous calls # task(agent='research', instruction='Find data') # task(agent='research', instruction='What did you find?') # Starts fresh!

CORRECT: Complete instructions upfront

task(agent='research', instruction='Find data on AI, save to /research/, return summary')

</python>
<typescript>
Subagents are stateless - provide complete instructions in a single call.
```typescript
// WRONG: Subagents don't remember previous calls
// task research: Find data
// task research: What did you find?  // Starts fresh!

// CORRECT: Complete instructions upfront
// task research: Find data on AI, save to /research/, return summary
</typescript> </fix-subagents-are-stateless> <fix-custom-subagents-dont-inherit-skills> <python> Custom subagents don't inherit skills from the main agent. ```python # WRONG: Custom subagent won't have main agent's skills agent = create_deep_agent( skills=["/main-skills/"], subagents=[{"name": "helper", ...}] # No skills inherited )

CORRECT: Provide skills explicitly (general-purpose subagent DOES inherit)

agent = create_deep_agent( skills=["/main-skills/"], subagents=[{"name": "helper", "skills": ["/helper-skills/"], ...}] )

</python>
</fix-custom-subagents-dont-inherit-skills>

---

## TodoList (Task Planning)

<when-to-use-todolist>

| Use TodoList When | Skip TodoList When |
|------------------|-------------------|
| Complex multi-step tasks | Simple single-action tasks |
| Long-running operations | Quick operations (< 3 steps) |

</when-to-use-todolist>

<todolist-tool>

write_todos(todos: list[dict]) -> None


Each todo item has:
- `content`: Description of the task
- `status`: One of `"pending"`, `"in_progress"`, `"completed"`
</todolist-tool>

<ex-todolist-usage>
<python>
Invoke an agent that automatically creates a todo list for a multi-step task.
```python
from deepagents import create_deep_agent

agent = create_deep_agent()  # TodoListMiddleware included by default

result = agent.invoke({
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Create a REST API: design models, implement CRUD, add auth, write tests"}]
}, config={"configurable": {"thread_id": "session-1"}})

# Agent's planning via write_todos:
# [
#   {"content": "Design data models", "status": "in_progress"},
#   {"content": "Implement CRUD endpoints", "status": "pending"},
#   {"content": "Add authentication", "status": "pending"},
#   {"content": "Write tests", "status": "pending"}
# ]
</python> <typescript> Invoke an agent that automatically creates a todo list for a multi-step task. ```typescript import { createDeepAgent } from "deepagents";

const agent = await createDeepAgent(); // TodoListMiddleware included

const result = await agent.invoke({ messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Create a REST API: design models, implement CRUD, add auth, write tests" }] }, { configurable: { thread_id: "session-1" } });

</typescript>
</ex-todolist-usage>

<ex-access-todo-state>
<python>
Access the todo list from the agent's final state after invocation.
```python
result = agent.invoke({...}, config={"configurable": {"thread_id": "session-1"}})

# Access todo list from final state
todos = result.get("todos", [])
for todo in todos:
    print(f"[{todo['status']}] {todo['content']}")
</python> </ex-access-todo-state> <fix-todolist-requires-thread-id> <python> Todo list state requires a thread_id for persistence across invocations. ```python # WRONG: Fresh state each time without thread_id agent.invoke({"messages": [...]})

CORRECT: Use thread_id

config = {"configurable": {"thread_id": "user-session"}} agent.invoke({"messages": [...]}, config=config) # Todos preserved

</python>
</fix-todolist-requires-thread-id>

---

## Human-in-the-Loop (Approval Workflows)

<when-to-use-hitl>

| Use HITL When | Skip HITL When |
|--------------|---------------|
| High-stakes operations (DB writes, deployments) | Read-only operations |
| Compliance requires human oversight | Fully automated workflows |

</when-to-use-hitl>

<ex-hitl-setup>
<python>
Configure which tools require human approval before execution.
```python
from deepagents import create_deep_agent
from langgraph.checkpoint.memory import MemorySaver

agent = create_deep_agent(
    interrupt_on={
        "write_file": True,  # All decisions allowed
        "execute_sql": {"allowed_decisions": ["approve", "reject"]},
        "read_file": False,  # No interrupts
    },
    checkpointer=MemorySaver()  # REQUIRED for interrupts
)
</python> <typescript> Configure which tools require human approval before execution. ```typescript import { createDeepAgent } from "deepagents"; import { MemorySaver } from "@langchain/langgraph";

const agent = await createDeepAgent({ interruptOn: { write_file: true, execute_sql: { allowedDecisions: ["approve", "reject"] }, read_file: false, }, checkpointer: new MemorySaver() // REQUIRED });

</typescript>
</ex-hitl-setup>

<ex-approval-workflow>
<python>
Complete workflow: trigger an interrupt, check state, approve action, and resume execution.
```python
from deepagents import create_deep_agent
from langgraph.checkpoint.memory import MemorySaver
from langgraph.types import Command

agent = create_deep_agent(
    interrupt_on={"write_file": True},
    checkpointer=MemorySaver()
)

config = {"configurable": {"thread_id": "session-1"}}

# Step 1: Agent proposes write_file - execution pauses
result = agent.invoke({
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Write config to /prod.yaml"}]
}, config=config)

# Step 2: Check for interrupts
state = agent.get_state(config)
if state.next:
    print(f"Pending action")

# Step 3: Approve and resume
result = agent.invoke(Command(resume={"decisions": [{"type": "approve"}]}), config=config)
</python> <typescript> Complete workflow: trigger an interrupt, check state, approve action, and resume execution. ```typescript import { createDeepAgent } from "deepagents"; import { MemorySaver, Command } from "@langchain/langgraph";

const agent = await createDeepAgent({ interruptOn: { write_file: true }, checkpointer: new MemorySaver() });

const config = { configurable: { thread_id: "session-1" } };

// Step 1: Agent proposes write_file - execution pauses let result = await agent.invoke({ messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Write config to /prod.yaml" }] }, config);

// Step 2: Check for interrupts const state = await agent.getState(config); if (state.next) { console.log("Pending action"); }

// Step 3: Approve and resume result = await agent.invoke( new Command({ resume: { decisions: [{ type: "approve" }] } }), config );

</typescript>
</ex-approval-workflow>

<ex-reject-with-feedback>
<python>
Reject a pending action with feedback, prompting the agent to try a different approach.
```python
result = agent.invoke(
    Command(resume={"decisions": [{"type": "reject", "message": "Run tests first"}]}),
    config=config,
)
</python> <typescript> Reject a pending action with feedback, prompting the agent to try a different approach. ```typescript const result = await agent.invoke( new Command({ resume: { decisions: [{ type: "reject", message: "Run tests first" }] } }), config, ); ``` </typescript> </ex-reject-with-feedback> <ex-edit-before-execution> <python> Edit the proposed action arguments before allowing execution. ```python result = agent.invoke( Command(resume={"decisions": [{ "type": "edit", "edited_action": { "name": "execute_sql", "args": {"query": "DELETE FROM users WHERE last_login < '2020-01-01' LIMIT 100"}, }, }]}), config=config, ) ``` </python> </ex-edit-before-execution> <boundaries> ### What Agents CAN Configure
  • Subagent names, tools, models, system prompts
  • Which tools require approval
  • Allowed decision types per tool
  • TodoList content and structure

What Agents CANNOT Configure

  • Tool names (task, write_todos)
  • HITL protocol (approve/edit/reject structure)
  • Skip checkpointer requirement for interrupts
  • Make subagents stateful (they're ephemeral) </boundaries>
<fix-checkpointer-required> <python> Checkpointer is required when using interrupt_on for HITL workflows. ```python # WRONG agent = create_deep_agent(interrupt_on={"write_file": True})

CORRECT

agent = create_deep_agent(interrupt_on={"write_file": True}, checkpointer=MemorySaver())

</python>
<typescript>
Checkpointer is required when using interruptOn for HITL workflows.
```typescript
// WRONG
const agent = await createDeepAgent({ interruptOn: { write_file: true } });

// CORRECT
const agent = await createDeepAgent({ interruptOn: { write_file: true }, checkpointer: new MemorySaver() });
</typescript> </fix-checkpointer-required> <fix-thread-id-required-for-resumption> <python> A consistent thread_id is required to resume interrupted workflows. ```python # WRONG: Can't resume without thread_id agent.invoke({"messages": [...]})

CORRECT

config = {"configurable": {"thread_id": "session-1"}} agent.invoke({...}, config=config)

Resume with Command using same config

agent.invoke(Command(resume={"decisions": [{"type": "approve"}]}), config=config)

</python>
<typescript>
A consistent thread_id is required to resume interrupted workflows.
```typescript
// WRONG: Can't resume without thread_id
await agent.invoke({ messages: [...] });

// CORRECT
const config = { configurable: { thread_id: "session-1" } };
await agent.invoke({ messages: [...] }, config);
// Resume with Command using same config
await agent.invoke(new Command({ resume: { decisions: [{ type: "approve" }] } }), config);
</typescript> </fix-thread-id-required-for-resumption> <fix-interrupt-checks-between-invocations> <python> Interrupts happen BETWEEN invoke() calls, not mid-execution. ```python result = agent.invoke({...}, config=config) # Step 1: triggers interrupt if "__interrupt__" in result: # Step 2: check for interrupt result = agent.invoke( # Step 3: resume Command(resume={"decisions": [{"type": "approve"}]}), config=config, ) ``` </python> </fix-interrupt-checks-between-invocations>

FAQ

What does the deep-agents-orchestration skill do?

INVOKE THIS SKILL when using subagents, task planning, or human approval in Deep Agents. Covers SubAgentMiddleware, TodoList for planning, and HITL interrupts.

How do I install deep-agents-orchestration?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/langchain-ai/skills-benchmarks --skill deep-agents-orchestration in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/deep-agents-orchestration/ (personal) or .claude/skills/deep-agents-orchestration/ (project).

Which AI agents can use deep-agents-orchestration?

Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.

Is deep-agents-orchestration safe to install?

No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.

Who maintains deep-agents-orchestration?

It is published by langchain-ai in langchain-ai/skills-benchmarks, and it is an official skill from the maker of the technology it covers. It has 56 recorded installs.

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