Multiple independent Claude instances that self-coordinate via a shared task list.
Subagents
Agent Teams
Communication
Report back to parent
Peer-to-peer messaging
Coordination
Parent manages all
Shared task list + self-claim
Best For
Focused, independent
Complex, collaborative
Tokens
Lower
Higher
Subagents when only the result matters. Agent teams when teammates need to discuss, challenge each other, and coordinate. Teams share a task list and claim work independently.