Multi-Claude Workflows Skill

Trigger

Use when you need parallel progress, independent verification, or separation of concerns between different aspects of a task.

The Insight

From Anthropic's Claude Code best practices: "Run separate Claude instances in parallel—one writing code, another reviewing. Use git worktrees to enable simultaneous independent tasks."

Workflow Patterns

Pattern 1: Writer + Reviewer

Run two Claude instances with different roles:

Terminal 1 - Writer:

cd ~/project
claude
# "Implement the new caching layer"

Terminal 2 - Reviewer:

cd ~/project
claude
# "Review the changes being made to src/cache/.
#  Look for bugs, edge cases, and improvements."

Benefits:

• Fresh eyes catch issues writer misses
• Reviewer isn't biased by implementation decisions
• Parallel thinking on same problem

Pattern 2: Git Worktrees for Parallel Tasks

Create multiple working directories for the same repo:

# Create worktrees for parallel work
git worktree add ../project-feature-a feature-a
git worktree add ../project-feature-b feature-b
git worktree add ../project-bugfix bugfix-123

Now run separate Claude instances:

Terminal 1:

cd ../project-feature-a
claude
# "Implement feature A"

Terminal 2:

cd ../project-feature-b
claude
# "Implement feature B"

Terminal 3:

cd ../project-bugfix
claude
# "Fix bug #123"

Benefits:

• No git conflicts between parallel work
• Each Claude has clean working state
• Merge when each is complete

Pattern 3: Specialist Agents

Different Claude instances for different expertise:

Terminal 1 - Backend:

claude
# "Implement the API endpoints for user management"

Terminal 2 - Frontend:

claude
# "Implement the React components for user management UI"

Terminal 3 - Tests:

claude
# "Write integration tests for the user management feature"

Pattern 4: Research + Implementation

One instance explores, another implements:

Terminal 1 - Research:

claude
# "Research how authentication is handled in this codebase.
#  Document the patterns, key files, and flows."

Terminal 2 - Implementation (after research):

claude
# "Using the auth patterns documented in RESEARCH.md,
#  implement OAuth2 login for the mobile app"

Setup Guide

Using Git Worktrees

# List existing worktrees
git worktree list

# Add a new worktree
git worktree add <path> <branch>

# Remove a worktree when done
git worktree remove <path>

# Prune stale worktree info
git worktree prune

Terminal Management

Use terminal multiplexer (tmux/screen) or IDE terminals:

# tmux example
tmux new-session -s claude-writer
# Ctrl-b c to create new window
# Ctrl-b n/p to switch windows
# Ctrl-b d to detach

Coordinating Between Instances

Create a shared document for coordination:

# COORDINATION.md

## Instance Assignments
- Terminal 1: API implementation
- Terminal 2: Frontend components
- Terminal 3: Test coverage

## Shared Decisions
- Using REST not GraphQL
- Auth tokens in headers
- Error format: { error: string, code: number }

## Interface Contracts
- POST /api/users returns { id, email, createdAt }
- User component expects props: { user: User, onUpdate: fn }

## Blockers
- [ ] Need DB schema before API work
- [ ] Need API spec before frontend work

When to Use Multi-Claude

Scenario	Pattern
Large feature with distinct parts	Specialist agents
Need independent code review	Writer + Reviewer
Multiple unrelated tasks	Git worktrees
Complex research + implementation	Research + Implementation
Time-sensitive parallel work	Multiple worktrees

Anti-Patterns

Don't:

• Have instances edit the same files simultaneously
• Forget to merge/integrate parallel work
• Let instances make conflicting architectural decisions
• Skip coordination document for complex parallel work

Do:

• Define clear boundaries between instances
• Use worktrees to avoid file conflicts
• Coordinate on shared interfaces/contracts
• Merge and test integration regularly