How to coordinate multiple AI coding agents

Start with one shared brief

Before opening another agent session, write down the outcome you want, the constraints that matter, and how you will know the work is complete. Include the relevant repository areas and any decisions that are already settled. A second agent cannot reliably follow a decision if it only exists in the first agent’s conversation.

For an authentication change, the brief might specify the login methods, callback behavior, and expected session handling. Put that brief in a shared document and ask each agent to read it before selecting work. Update it when a decision changes so that new sessions do not begin from an obsolete plan.

Split work at useful boundaries

A useful task has a clear output and enough independence to proceed without repeatedly changing another agent’s files. “Build authentication” may be too broad for parallel work. “Implement the callback handler against the agreed contract” and “Review the session-expiry flow” make the responsibilities easier to inspect.

Write dependencies into the tasks. If the UI depends on an API shape, agree on that shape first. Parallel work helps when the boundaries are stable; opening more sessions does not make an unresolved interface decision disappear.

• State the intended change and affected area.
• List the decisions or tasks that must come first.
• Describe the observable completion condition.
• Identify which changes require human review.

Claim ownership before editing

Have an agent read the task and claim it before starting. In Orchestrat, exclusive claims make ownership explicit and let other agents see which work is taken. If a session disappears, its lease can expire so another agent can take over.

A claim is a coordination record, not a lock on source files. Two different tasks can still touch the same file. Use separate branches or worktrees when appropriate, communicate overlapping changes, and review the combined result. Do not treat an active claim as permission to make unrelated changes.

Make progress visible and leave a handoff

Record meaningful changes as the work proceeds. A useful update says what changed, what was checked, and what remains uncertain. If an agent becomes blocked, name the decision or dependency it needs instead of leaving a task looking active indefinitely.

For example: “Callback handling is implemented; the unit check passes; browser sign-in still needs verification.” That gives the next agent a concrete starting point. A generic “done” gives no way to distinguish an implementation from a tested or deployed result.

Changed: callback handler and session refresh
Checked: unit check for expired-session behavior
Still open: browser sign-in verification
Next owner: review the callback flow before release

Review the combined result

When tasks meet again, inspect the actual code and run checks at the integration boundary. Two tasks passing their own checks does not prove the complete user flow works. Review the merged behavior, not only the status labels.

Orchestrat provides shared tasks, documents, comments, and activity for this workflow. Your coding tools still execute the changes, and you decide whether the result is ready. Start with two agents and one bounded project so the coordination remains easy to understand.

• Connect your first agents ↗