parallel-exploration
Use when researching unfamiliar code, multiple modules involved, or external libraries referenced
When & Why to Use This Skill
The Parallel Exploration skill for Claude optimizes developer workflows by executing multiple search and research tasks simultaneously. It eliminates sequential waiting times by deploying specialized agents—Tracer for internal codebase analysis, Rocket for external documentation, and Oracle for architectural insights—allowing for rapid comprehension of unfamiliar codebases and efficient library integration.
Use Cases
- Onboarding to complex codebases: Use Tracer agents to map out dependencies and cross-layer patterns across unfamiliar modules in parallel.
- Third-party library integration: Launch Rocket agents to find official API documentation and GitHub implementation examples while continuing with local development.
- Architectural research: Deploy the Oracle agent to evaluate high-level design decisions while background tasks gather specific implementation details.
- Rapid debugging: Search for error patterns within the local codebase and community-driven solutions on the web at the same time to reduce mean time to resolution (MTTR).
| name | parallel-exploration |
|---|---|
| description | Use when researching unfamiliar code, multiple modules involved, or external libraries referenced |
Parallel Exploration
Fire search agents in parallel. Never wait sequentially when searches are independent.
Tool Selection
| Tool | Cost | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
grep, glob, lsp_*, ast_grep |
FREE | Scope clear, single pattern, known location |
tracer agent |
FREE | Multiple search angles, unfamiliar modules, cross-layer patterns |
rocket agent |
CHEAP | External docs, GitHub examples, OSS reference |
oracle agent |
EXPENSIVE | Architecture decisions, debugging after 2+ failures |
Tracer = Contextual Grep (Internal)
Use for searching YOUR codebase:
| Use Direct Tools | Use Tracer |
|---|---|
| Exact pattern known | Multiple search angles needed |
| Single keyword suffices | Unfamiliar module structure |
| Known file location | Cross-layer pattern discovery |
Rocket = Reference Grep (External)
Use for searching EXTERNAL resources:
- Official API documentation
- Library best practices
- OSS implementation examples
- GitHub examples
Trigger phrases (fire rocket immediately):
- "How do I use [library]?"
- "What's the best practice for [framework feature]?"
- Working with unfamiliar packages
Parallel Execution Pattern
// CORRECT: Fire and continue
background_task(agent="tracer", prompt="Find auth implementations...")
background_task(agent="tracer", prompt="Find error handling patterns...")
background_task(agent="rocket", prompt="Find JWT best practices...")
// Continue working immediately
// WRONG: Sequential blocking
result = task(...) // Never wait synchronously
Result Collection
- Launch parallel agents → receive task_ids
- Continue immediate work
- When results needed:
background_output(task_id="...") - BEFORE final answer:
background_cancel(all=true)
Stop Conditions
STOP searching when:
- Enough context to proceed confidently
- Same information appearing across multiple sources
- 2 iterations yielded no new useful data
- Direct answer found
DO NOT over-explore. Time is precious.