client-compatibility

Context

Squad runs on multiple Copilot surfaces (CLI, VS Code, JetBrains, GitHub.com). The coordinator must detect its platform and adapt spawning behavior accordingly. Different tools are available on different platforms, requiring conditional logic for agent spawning, SQL usage, and response timing.

Patterns

Platform Detection

Before spawning agents, determine the platform by checking available tools:

1. CLI mode — task tool is available → full spawning control. Use task with agent_type, mode, model, description, prompt parameters. Collect results via read_agent.

2. VS Code mode — runSubagent or agent tool is available → conditional behavior. Use runSubagent with the task prompt. Drop agent_type, mode, and model parameters. Multiple subagents in one turn run concurrently (equivalent to background mode). Results return automatically — no read_agent needed.

3. Fallback mode — neither task nor runSubagent/agent available → work inline. Do not apologize or explain the limitation. Execute the task directly.

If both task and runSubagent are available, prefer task (richer parameter surface).

VS Code Spawn Adaptations