name: coding-agent description: 'Delegate coding tasks to external coding agents (Claude Code, Codex, Pi, OpenCode) via shell. Use when: (1) building new features or apps in a separate project, (2) reviewing PRs, (3) refactoring large codebases, (4) iterative coding that needs file exploration. NOT for: simple one-liner fixes (just edit directly), reading code (use read/file tools), or work inside the SwarmClaw workspace itself.' metadata: { "openclaw": { "emoji": "🧩", "requires": { "anyBins": ["claude", "codex", "opencode", "pi"] } },
}
Coding Agent
Delegate coding tasks to external coding agents via shell tools.
Agent Execution Modes
Claude Code (recommended)
Use --print --permission-mode bypassPermissions for non-interactive execution:
cd /path/to/project && claude --permission-mode bypassPermissions --print 'Your task here'
For background execution, use the shell tool's background mode.
Do NOT use PTY mode with Claude Code — --print mode keeps full tool access and avoids interactive confirmation dialogs.
Codex
Codex requires a git repository and PTY mode:
# Quick one-shot (auto-approves changes)
cd /path/to/project && codex exec --full-auto 'Build a dark mode toggle'
# Codex refuses to run outside a git directory. For scratch work:
SCRATCH=$(mktemp -d) && cd $SCRATCH && git init && codex exec "Your prompt"
Pi Coding Agent
# Install: npm install -g @mariozechner/pi-coding-agent
cd /path/to/project && pi 'Your task'
# Non-interactive mode
pi -p 'Summarize src/'
# Different provider/model
pi --provider openai --model gpt-4o-mini -p 'Your task'
OpenCode
cd /path/to/project && opencode run 'Your task'
PR Reviews
Clone to a temp folder or use git worktree — never review PRs in the SwarmClaw project directory:
# Clone to temp for safe review
REVIEW_DIR=$(mktemp -d)
git clone https://github.com/user/repo.git $REVIEW_DIR
cd $REVIEW_DIR && gh pr checkout 130
codex review --base origin/main
# Or use git worktree
git worktree add /tmp/pr-130-review pr-130-branch
cd /tmp/pr-130-review && codex review --base main
Parallel Issue Fixing
Use git worktrees to fix multiple issues in parallel:
# Create worktrees
git worktree add -b fix/issue-78 /tmp/issue-78 main
git worktree add -b fix/issue-99 /tmp/issue-99 main
# Launch agents (use background shell execution)
cd /tmp/issue-78 && codex --yolo 'Fix issue #78: <description>. Commit when done.'
cd /tmp/issue-99 && codex --yolo 'Fix issue #99: <description>. Commit when done.'
# Create PRs after
cd /tmp/issue-78 && git push -u origin fix/issue-78
gh pr create --repo user/repo --head fix/issue-78 --title "fix: ..." --body "..."
# Cleanup
git worktree remove /tmp/issue-78
git worktree remove /tmp/issue-99
Rules
- Use the right execution mode per agent: Claude Code uses
--print(no PTY); Codex/Pi/OpenCode may need interactive terminal. - Respect tool choice — if the user asks for Codex, use Codex. Don't silently switch agents.
- Be patient — don't kill sessions because they seem slow.
- Monitor progress — check output periodically without interfering.
- Never run coding agents inside the SwarmClaw project directory — use a separate project directory or temp folder.
Progress Updates
When spawning coding agents in the background:
- Send a short message when you start (what's running, where).
- Update only when something changes (milestone, error, completion).
- If you kill a session, say so immediately and explain why.