[BUG] Plan agent has incorrect description (duplicates Explore agent)
Preflight Checklist
- [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
- [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
- [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code
What's Wrong?
## Description
The Plan agent description is identical to the Explore agent description in the Task tool's agent
type definitions.
## Current behavior
Both agents show:
Fast agent specialized for exploring codebases. Use this when you need to quickly find files by
patterns (eg. "src/components/**/*.tsx"), search code for keywords (eg. "API endpoints"), or answer
questions about the codebase (eg. "how do API endpoints work?"). When calling this agent, specify
the desired thoroughness level: "quick" for basic searches, "medium" for moderate exploration, or
"very thorough" for comprehensive analysis across multiple locations and naming conventions.
## Expected behavior
Plan agent should have its own description explaining its purpose and when to use it. Based on the
naming convention and agent organization, likely involves planning implementations or task
breakdowns.
## Impact
Users cannot distinguish between Plan and Explore agents. LLM cannot make informed decisions about
which agent to invoke since the descriptions are identical.
## Location
Task tool description, subagent_type parameter documentation
What Should Happen?
Plan agent should have a description that reflects its planning/design purpose, something like:
Specialized agent for planning implementation approaches and breaking down complex tasks into
executable steps. Use this when you need to design system architecture, evaluate implementation
alternatives, create task breakdowns, or plan feature development before coding. The agent analyzes
requirements, proposes approaches with tradeoffs, and structures work into concrete steps.
Or based on the ExitPlanMode tool reference to "plan mode":
Planning agent that breaks down implementation tasks into structured steps before execution. Use
when you need to design an implementation approach, evaluate architectural alternatives, or create a
detailed plan for complex features. Returns a structured plan with steps, dependencies, and
tradeoffs for user approval.
The key distinction from Explore:
- Explore: Discovers and understands existing codebase structure
- Plan: Designs and structures future implementation work
Error Messages/Logs
Steps to Reproduce
- Start Claude Code CLI session
- Ask Claude to list all available agent descriptions:
Show me the description of all agents in your context.
- Observe the output for Plan and Explore agents
- Compare the descriptions - they are identical
Actual output:
Explore
Fast agent specialized for exploring codebases. Use this when you need to quickly find files by
patterns (eg. "src/components/**/*.tsx"), search code for keywords (eg. "API endpoints"), or answer
questions about the codebase (eg. "how do API endpoints work?"). When calling this agent, specify
the desired thoroughness level: "quick" for basic searches, "medium" for moderate exploration, or
"very thorough" for comprehensive analysis across multiple locations and naming conventions.
Plan
Fast agent specialized for exploring codebases. Use this when you need to quickly find files by
patterns (eg. "src/components/**/*.tsx"), search code for keywords (eg. "API endpoints"), or answer
questions about the codebase (eg. "how do API endpoints work?"). When calling this agent, specify
the desired thoroughness level: "quick" for basic searches, "medium" for moderate exploration, or
"very thorough" for comprehensive analysis across multiple locations and naming conventions.
Alternative reproduction:
- Examine the Task tool definition in Claude Code's system prompt configuration
- Locate the
subagent_typeparameter's available agent types - Find the Plan agent description
- Verify it duplicates Explore agent description
Source location: Task tool description, line containing Plan agent definition in the available
agent types list.
Claude Model
Sonnet (default)
Is this a regression?
I don't know
Last Working Version
_No response_
Claude Code Version
2.0.30
Platform
Anthropic API
Operating System
Other Linux
Terminal/Shell
Xterm
Additional Information
_No response_
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