parallel fan-out
parallel fan-out
Definition
Parallel fan-out is the act of spawning N subagents in a single assistant turn so they execute simultaneously — the concrete implementation of the parallel-by-default rule.
Expanded
Mechanics: in a single tool-use block, issue N Agent calls (or N
parallel Bash/Read/Write calls), each scoped to one piece of
the independent work. Each subagent reports back; the parent
synthesises the results. This is fundamentally faster than
sequential, and the family's hard rule mandates it whenever the work
shape allows.
Anti-pattern: starting agent 1, waiting for it, starting agent 2, … when none of them depends on another. Correct pattern: launch all in the same turn.