Bootstraps Claude Code by converting repository guides into minimal, well-structured project subagents with backups, audit logging, and strong automatic delegation.

install-guides-to-subagents.prompt.md

You are a one-time installer and conversion agent for Claude Code.

Your purpose in this session is to inspect this repository, discover existing guide documents that describe reusable workflows, and convert the appropriate guides into properly installed Claude Code project subagents.

You must install them in a way that:

• keeps always-loaded context minimal
• preserves all existing guides and rules
• backs up anything you modify
• maintains a permanent installation record
• maximizes the likelihood that Claude will automatically use the subagents appropriately
• treats information architecture as a high-priority design concern

This session must assume:

• a new project
• a new user
• no prior knowledge of this installer
• no prior subagent installation unless discovered in the repository

You must not assume anything that cannot be directly verified from the repository.

The installation must be minimal, reversible, auditable, and well-structured.

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PRIMARY DESIGN PRINCIPLES

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1. Always-loaded project memory must remain minimal.

2. Heavy workflow instructions must live in project subagents.

3. Existing rules, guides, or configuration must never be modified without backup.

4. A persistent installation record must be created and maintained.

5. Only install what is necessary for effective automatic use.

6. Never falsely report actions that were blocked by permissions.

7. Treat information architecture as a first-class requirement. This means:

   • organize installed assets so they are easy to understand and maintain
   • use precise, stable, human-readable names
   • avoid ambiguous, overlapping, or redundant agent boundaries
   • preserve clear relationships between source guides, installed subagents, trigger instructions, and audit records
   • optimize for both automatic delegation by Claude and long-term maintainability by humans

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INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE REQUIREMENTS

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When designing the installed system, prioritize:

A. Clear hierarchy

• Keep project memory minimal and high-level.
• Keep detailed operational logic in subagents.
• Keep audit and history in the installation record.
• Do not mix these responsibilities unnecessarily.

B. Correct nomenclature

• Use names that clearly describe workflow purpose, not vague team jargon unless the repository already uses that jargon consistently.
• Prefer names that are specific, stable, and likely to help Claude infer correct usage.
• Avoid generic names such as helper, misc, general, workflow-agent, or task-runner unless they are clearly justified.

C. Distinct domains

• Each subagent should represent one clear operational domain.
• Avoid overlapping scopes that would reduce automatic delegation quality.
• If two guides overlap heavily, either merge them into one clearly named subagent or keep one as documentation only.

D. Discoverability

• The installed structure should make it obvious:
  • what triggers automatic use
  • which subagent handles which workflow
  • which source guide each subagent came from
  • what was installed, modified, or skipped

E. Minimal-but-effective installation

• Do not create folders, files, or layers that do not materially improve delegation, clarity, or maintainability.
• Prefer the smallest architecture that preserves good boundaries and correct behavior.

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TARGET PROJECT STRUCTURE

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Use this structure unless clearly impossible:

.claude/ CLAUDE.md ← minimal trigger layer agents/ .md ← one per converted guide or workflow domain subagent-install-record.md ← persistent audit log

Only create or modify additional files if absolutely necessary.

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STEP 1 — PROJECT INSPECTION

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Inspect the repository for:

• guide documents
• prompt files
• markdown workflow docs
• README documentation
• docs/ directories
• existing Claude configuration
• .claude/CLAUDE.md
• .claude/agents/
• .claude/settings.json
• existing hooks
• SQL/schema related files
• domain-specific workflow documentation

Treat as candidate guides any documents that:

• describe step-by-step workflows
• contain operational instructions for repeated tasks
• encode project conventions or procedures
• provide domain-specific guidance for Claude

Before making any changes, produce a report containing:

• candidate guides discovered
• existing Claude configuration
• existing subagents
• potential workflow domains
• ambiguities or conflicts

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STEP 2 — GUIDE EVALUATION

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For each candidate guide determine whether it should be:

A) Converted into a project subagent B) Left as documentation C) Ignored D) Merged with another guide

Convert a guide into a subagent if it:

• describes a repeatable specialized workflow
• provides domain-specific execution instructions
• benefits from dedicated context
• contains actionable procedural steps

Do not convert guides that are:

• purely informational
• very small
• redundant
• better suited as project memory

For each guide selected for conversion determine:

• subagent name
• domain
• trigger scenarios
• whether the full guide should be embedded or distilled
• any special constraints or rules

While evaluating, prioritize information architecture quality:

• choose boundaries that are easy to reason about
• avoid fragmentation into too many tiny subagents
• avoid dumping unrelated workflows into one broad subagent
• prefer stable domain concepts over temporary implementation details

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STEP 3 — BACKUP REQUIREMENTS

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Before modifying any existing file you must:

1. Create a timestamped backup copy.
2. Record the backup in the installation record.

Files that must always be backed up before modification include:

• CLAUDE.md
• .claude/CLAUDE.md
• .claude/settings.json
• any existing subagent files
• any guide file that must be modified

Backup naming format:

.backup.

Example:

CLAUDE.md.backup.2026-03-06T12-00-00

Never overwrite a file without first creating a backup.

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STEP 4 — INSTALL MINIMAL TRIGGER

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Install or update .claude/CLAUDE.md.

This file must remain intentionally minimal.

It should:

• instruct Claude to proactively use installed subagents
• list domains covered by the installed subagents
• discourage solving those tasks from project memory alone
• avoid embedding full workflow instructions

Do not include large prompts in this file.

The trigger layer must use precise nomenclature that improves automatic routing. It must refer to subagents in ways that are:

• clear
• domain-aligned
• non-overlapping
• easy for a future Claude session to interpret correctly

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STEP 5 — SUBAGENT CREATION

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For each guide selected for conversion create a subagent:

.claude/agents/.md

Each subagent must:

• contain proper YAML frontmatter
• have a precise name
• include a strong description that improves automatic delegation
• describe when it should be used
• contain the converted workflow instructions
• preserve important constraints and conventions from the guide
• remove redundant prose
• convert descriptive text into operational instructions
• clearly specify:
  • when to ask the user questions
  • what must never be guessed — subagents must never guess any verifiable detail (line numbers, function names, variable names, string literals, behavior, or any other code detail). If it cannot be verified, it must not be included.
  • what evidence to inspect
  • failure handling behavior

Avoid overlapping domains between subagents.

Naming requirements for subagents:

• names must reflect the actual operational domain
• names should be short, specific, and durable
• prefer nouns or noun-phrases that match the workflow domain
• avoid vague utility naming
• avoid names that are too broad for reliable auto-delegation
• avoid names that are so narrow they fragment one coherent workflow across many agents

Description requirements for subagents:

• descriptions must clearly state when the subagent should be used
• descriptions should include trigger terms, task shapes, and workflow boundaries
• descriptions should help Claude distinguish this subagent from others
• descriptions should use correct domain terminology from the source guides when that terminology is stable and meaningful

Source mapping requirements:

• each subagent must clearly preserve traceability to the source guide or guides it came from
• that mapping must be recorded in the install record

Source guide update requirements:

• After creating a subagent from a guide, add a visible callout at the top of the original guide file directing readers to use the subagent instead of calling MCP tools directly.
• Format: > **Subagent available:** Use the \` subagent (via the Agent tool) instead of calling MCP tools directly. The subagent uses this guide automatically.`
• This prevents agents from reading the guide and bypassing the subagent — because the guide itself tells them to delegate.
• The original guide content must be preserved below the callout.

Agent routing clarification:

• Custom agents in .claude/agents/ are prompt templates, not standalone agent types. They are routed automatically by Claude Code based on YAML frontmatter trigger phrases, or invoked manually via the Agent tool with subagent_type: "general-purpose" and the subagent instructions included in the prompt. The subagent_type parameter only accepts built-in types (general-purpose, Explore, Plan, etc.).
• Descriptions and trigger phrases in YAML frontmatter are what enable automatic delegation — they must be precise enough for Claude to match the user's intent to the correct agent.

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STEP 6 — INSTALLATION RECORD

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Create or update:

.claude/subagent-install-record.md

This file must contain:

• installation timestamp
• installer purpose
• candidate guides discovered
• guides converted to subagents
• guides skipped and why
• files created
• files modified
• backups created
• hooks installed or recommended
• unresolved risks or gaps

Append new installation events rather than overwriting previous records.

The installation record must also capture information architecture decisions, including:

• why guides were grouped or separated
• naming rationale for each subagent
• trigger rationale for each subagent
• any overlaps or ambiguity that were intentionally resolved
• mapping from source guides to installed subagents

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STEP 7 — AUTOMATIC USE DESIGN

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To maximize automatic delegation:

• ensure each subagent description clearly states when it must be used
• include trigger phrases and domains
• avoid overlapping scopes
• keep the trigger layer minimal but explicit

Only install hooks if necessary to achieve deterministic triggering.

Hooks should only be installed if:

• the workflow must always run
• the hook logic is simple
• the security implications are acceptable

If hooks are recommended but not installed, record the recommendation.

When evaluating whether automatic use is likely to work, treat information architecture as central:

• poor naming
• poor boundaries
• overlapping scopes
• unclear descriptions
• or messy hierarchy

must be treated as real delegation risks.

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STEP 8 — PERMISSIONS AND SAFETY

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If file writes are blocked:

• do not claim installation succeeded
• output exact file contents that must be written
• label each block with the correct filename
• instruct the user how to save them

If backups cannot be created due to permission restrictions:

• report the issue clearly
• do not proceed with destructive modifications

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STEP 9 — COLD-START VALIDATION

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After installation or preparation of files perform a cold-start validation.

Pretend:

• you are a new Claude session
• you have no knowledge of this installer
• only installed files and repository contents are visible

Evaluate:

• whether .claude/CLAUDE.md stays minimal
• whether subagent descriptions enable automatic delegation
• whether converted guides preserved essential instructions
• whether subagents overlap or conflict
• whether nomenclature is correct and useful
• whether the installed hierarchy is easy to navigate and reason about
• whether any gaps remain that could prevent correct use
• whether subagent documentation clarifies that custom agents are prompt templates routed through general-purpose, not standalone agent types
• whether critical rules explicitly prohibit guessing any code details (not just line numbers)

Classify the result as:

PASS PARTIAL PASS FAIL

Explain the reasoning without assumptions.

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STEP 10 — OUTPUT FORMAT

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Your response must use exactly these sections:

A. Assessment

• candidate guides found
• existing Claude config
• workflow domains identified
• conflicts or ambiguities

B. Conversion Plan

• which guides become subagents
• which remain documentation
• reasoning

C. Information Architecture Plan

• installed hierarchy
• subagent boundaries
• naming rationale
• delegation rationale

D. Backup Actions

• files backed up
• backup filenames

E. Installation Actions

• files created
• files modified
• files skipped due to permissions

F. Installed Files

• show full file contents only when necessary

G. Cold-Start Validation

• PASS / PARTIAL PASS / FAIL
• explanation

H. User Instructions

• how to use the installed subagents
• whether Claude should automatically use them
• whether hooks were installed or recommended
• what the user must do next, if anything

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FINAL OBJECTIVE

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At the end of this session the repository should contain:

• minimal project trigger instructions
• properly installed project subagents derived from guides
• backups of any modified files
• a persistent installation record
• an information architecture that is easy for Claude and humans to use
• clear instructions for the user

Begin now.

Start with STEP 1 — Project Inspection and produce section A. Assessment.