release: v3.23.4 - Agent Anti-Patterns & Scope-Focused Refactoring

Major conceptual refactoring based on Dex Horty's principle:
"Subagents are not for anthropomorphizing roles, they are for controlling context"

### Added (1 new section)
- Agent Anti-Patterns section (§9.17, line 3662)
  - Wrong vs Right table (anthropomorphizing vs context control)
  - When to use agents (context isolation, parallel processing, scope limitation)
  - When NOT to use agents (fake teams, roleplaying, mimicking org structure)

### Changed (18 files, 200+ lines)
- Section rename: "Split-Role Sub-Agents" → "Scope-Focused Agents"
- Agent definitions: "Specialized role" → "Context isolation tool"
- 8 custom agent examples refactored (guide + examples/agents/)
- 10+ prompt examples with explicit scope boundaries
- 4 workflow files updated (agent-teams, TDD, iterative refinement)
- Terminology replacements:
  * "Specialized agents" → "Scope-focused agents"
  * "Expert personas" → "Context boundaries"
  * "Multi-domain expertise" → "Multi-scope analysis"

### Fixed
- Methodologies: Clarification note for BMAD role-based naming

Breaking change: Conceptual shift from role-based to scope-based agent usage.
All examples now demonstrate context isolation instead of persona simulation.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
This commit is contained in:
Florian BRUNIAUX 2026-02-09 10:29:59 +01:00
parent 94b9ad4f89
commit 191ff42741
15 changed files with 146 additions and 82 deletions

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@ -8,6 +8,48 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/).
### Added
<!-- New entries go here -->
## [3.23.4] - 2026-02-09
### Added
- **Agent Anti-Patterns Section** (§9.17): Critical guidance on proper agent usage
- Citation from Dex Horty: "Subagents are not for anthropomorphizing roles, they are for controlling context"
- Wrong vs Right table: Anthropomorphizing (Frontend Agent) vs Context Control (scope-focused agents)
- When to use agents (good reasons): Context isolation, parallel processing, scope limitation
- When NOT to use agents (bad reasons): Fake teams, roleplaying, mimicking human org structure
- Section location: guide/ultimate-guide.md line 3662
### Changed
- **Agent Terminology Refactoring** (Breaking conceptual change): Systematic replacement of role-based language with scope-focused terminology
- **Section renames**: "Split-Role Sub-Agents" → "Scope-Focused Agents" (line 3709)
- **Agent definitions**: "Specialized role" → "Context isolation tool" (Skills vs Agents table, line 5490)
- **Custom agent examples** (3 refactored):
- code-reviewer: "You are a senior code reviewer" → "Perform comprehensive code reviews with isolated context"
- debugger: "You are a systematic debugger" → "Perform systematic debugging with isolated context"
- backend-architect: "You are a senior backend architect" → "Analyze backend architecture with isolated context"
- **Prompt examples** (8+ refactored): All agent prompts now specify scope boundaries with explicit context
- Before: "Security Agent: Check for vulnerabilities"
- After: "Security Scope: Check for vulnerabilities (context: auth, input validation code)"
- **Production examples**: Pat Cullen's Multi-Agent Code Review, Fountain case study (line 5335, 16623)
- **Workflow files**: agent-teams-quick-start.md, agent-teams.md, tdd-with-claude.md, iterative-refinement.md
- **Terminology replacements**:
- "Specialized agents" → "Scope-focused agents"
- "Expert personas" → "Context boundaries"
- "Multi-domain expertise" → "Multi-scope analysis"
- "Diversify expertise" → "Diversify analysis angles"
- **Example agents** (5 files in examples/agents/): All refactored to use functional language instead of role-based personas
### Fixed
- **Methodologies**: Added clarification note to BMAD description about role-based naming (guide/methodologies.md line 49)
## [3.23.3] - 2026-02-09
### Added
- **Opus 4.6 Integration**: Comprehensive documentation update for Claude Opus 4.6 features (Feb 2026)
- **Adaptive Thinking**: Replaced budget-based thinking with dynamic depth calibration
- Effort parameter: `low|medium|high|max` (API only, default: high)

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@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ See [CONTRIBUTING.md](./CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines.
---
*Version 3.23.2 | February 2026 | Crafted with Claude*
*Version 3.23.4 | February 2026 | Crafted with Claude*
<!-- SEO Keywords -->
<!-- claude code, claude code tutorial, anthropic cli, ai coding assistant, claude code mcp,

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@ -1 +1 @@
3.23.2
3.23.4

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@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ tools: Read, Grep, Glob
# Code Review Agent
You are a senior code reviewer focused on code quality, security, and maintainability.
Perform comprehensive code reviews with isolated context, focusing on code quality, security, and maintainability.
**Scope**: Code review analysis only. Provide findings with severity classifications without implementing fixes.
## Review Checklist

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@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ tools: Bash, Read, Grep, Glob
# DevOps/SRE Agent
You are an SRE specialist focused on infrastructure diagnosis, incident response, and reliability engineering.
Perform infrastructure diagnosis and incident response with isolated context using the FIRE framework.
**Scope**: Infrastructure troubleshooting, reliability analysis, and incident response. Focus on systematic diagnosis without assuming production access.
## FIRE Framework

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@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ tools: Read, Write, Edit, MultiEdit, Grep, Glob
# Refactoring Specialist Agent
You are a clean code advocate focused on improving code quality through systematic refactoring.
Perform systematic code refactoring with isolated context, focusing on SOLID principles and clean code practices.
**Scope**: Code quality improvement through refactoring. Apply proven patterns while preserving functionality.
## Refactoring Principles

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@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ tools: Read, Grep, Glob
# Security Auditor Agent
You are a security specialist focused on identifying vulnerabilities and ensuring secure coding practices.
Perform security audits with isolated context, focusing on vulnerability detection and secure coding practices.
**Scope**: Security analysis only (OWASP Top 10, auth/authz, data protection). Report findings without implementing fixes.
## OWASP Top 10 Checklist

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@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ tools: Read, Write, Edit, Grep, Glob, Bash
# Test Writer Agent
You are a testing specialist focused on creating comprehensive, meaningful tests.
Generate comprehensive, meaningful tests with isolated context following TDD/BDD principles.
**Scope**: Test creation only. Focus on behavior verification, edge cases, and clear test structure.
## Testing Philosophy

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@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
**Written with**: Claude (Anthropic)
**Version**: 3.23.2 | **Last Updated**: February 2026
**Version**: 3.23.4 | **Last Updated**: February 2026
---
@ -520,4 +520,4 @@ where.exe claude; claude doctor; claude mcp list
**Author**: Florian BRUNIAUX | [@Méthode Aristote](https://methode-aristote.fr) | Written with Claude
*Last updated: February 2026 | Version 3.23.2*
*Last updated: February 2026 | Version 3.23.4*

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@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Organized in a 6-tier pyramid from strategic orchestration down to optimization
| **BMAD** | Multi-agent governance with constitution as guardrail | Enterprise 10+ teams, long-term projects | ⭐⭐ Niche but powerful |
| **GSD** | Meta-prompting 6-phase workflow with fresh contexts per task | Solo devs, Claude Code CLI | ⭐⭐ Similar to patterns in guide |
**BMAD (Breakthrough Method for Agile AI-Driven Development)** inverts the traditional paradigm: documentation becomes the source of truth, not code. Uses specialized agents (Analyst, PM, Architect, Developer, QA) orchestrated with strict governance.
**BMAD (Breakthrough Method for Agile AI-Driven Development)** inverts the traditional paradigm: documentation becomes the source of truth, not code. Uses specialized agents (Analyst, PM, Architect, Developer, QA) orchestrated with strict governance. *Note: BMAD's role-based agent naming reflects their methodology; see §9.17 Agent Anti-Patterns for scope-focused alternatives.*
- **Key concept**: Constitution.md as strategic guardrail
- **When to use**: Complex enterprise projects needing governance

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@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
**Last updated**: January 2026
**Version**: 3.23.2
**Version**: 3.23.4
---
@ -4241,7 +4241,7 @@ The `.claude/` folder is your project's Claude Code directory for memory, settin
| Personal preferences | `CLAUDE.md` | ❌ Gitignore |
| Personal permissions | `settings.local.json` | ❌ Gitignore |
### 3.23.2 Version Control & Backup
### 3.23.4 Version Control & Backup
**Problem**: Without version control, losing your Claude Code configuration means hours of manual reconfiguration across agents, skills, hooks, and MCP servers.
@ -5083,21 +5083,23 @@ skills:
# Code Reviewer
## Role Definition
## Scope Definition
You are a senior code reviewer with expertise in:
Perform comprehensive code reviews with isolated context, focusing on:
- Code quality and maintainability
- Security best practices (OWASP Top 10)
- Performance optimization
- Test coverage analysis
Scope: Code review analysis only. Provide findings without implementing fixes.
## Activation Triggers
Use this agent when:
- Completing a feature before PR
- Reviewing someone else's code
- Auditing security-sensitive code
- Analyzing performance bottlenecks
- Completing a feature before PR (need fresh eyes on code)
- Reviewing someone else's code (isolated review context)
- Auditing security-sensitive code (security-focused scope)
- Analyzing performance bottlenecks (performance-focused scope)
## Methodology
@ -5138,12 +5140,14 @@ tools: Read, Bash, Grep, Glob
# Debugger
## Role Definition
## Scope Definition
You are a systematic debugger who:
- Investigates root causes, not symptoms
- Uses evidence-based debugging
- Aims to verify rather than assume (but always review output—LLMs can make mistakes)
Perform systematic debugging with isolated context:
- Investigate root causes, not symptoms
- Use evidence-based debugging approach
- Verify rather than assume (always review output—LLMs can make mistakes)
Scope: Debugging analysis only. Focus on root cause identification without context pollution from previous debugging attempts.
## Methodology
@ -5180,21 +5184,23 @@ skills:
# Backend Architect
## Role Definition
## Scope Definition
You are a senior backend architect specializing in:
Analyze backend architecture with isolated context, focusing on:
- API design (REST, GraphQL, tRPC)
- Database modeling and optimization
- System scalability
- Clean architecture patterns
Scope: Backend architecture analysis only. Focus on design decisions without frontend or DevOps considerations.
## Activation Triggers
Use this agent when:
- Designing new API endpoints
- Optimizing database queries
- Planning system architecture
- Refactoring backend code
- Designing new API endpoints (need architecture-focused analysis)
- Optimizing database queries (database scope isolation)
- Planning system architecture (system design scope)
- Refactoring backend code (backend-only scope)
## Methodology
@ -5250,7 +5256,7 @@ description: |
### The 7-Parallel-Task Method
Launch 7 specialized sub-agents in parallel for complete features:
Launch 7 scope-focused sub-agents in parallel for complete features:
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
@ -5312,33 +5318,37 @@ Launch all agents in parallel.
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```
**Code Review Prompt**:
**Code Review Prompt** (scope-focused):
```
Analyze this PR with the following perspectives:
1. Senior Engineer: Architecture and patterns
2. Security Expert: Vulnerabilities and risks
3. Performance Engineer: Bottlenecks and optimizations
4. Junior Dev: Readability and documentation
5. QA Engineer: Testability and edge cases
Analyze this PR with isolated scopes:
1. Architecture Scope: Design patterns, SOLID principles, modularity
2. Security Scope: Vulnerabilities, injection risks, auth/authz flaws
3. Performance Scope: Database queries, algorithmic complexity, caching
4. Maintainability Scope: Code clarity, documentation, naming conventions
5. Testing Scope: Test coverage, edge cases, testability
Context: src/**, tests/**, only files changed in PR
```
**UX Review Prompt**:
**UX Review Prompt** (scope-focused):
```
Evaluate this interface with perspectives:
1. Designer: Visual consistency and design system
2. New User: Discoverability ease
3. Power User: Efficiency and shortcuts
4. Accessibility Expert: WCAG compliance
5. Mobile User: Responsive and touch
Evaluate this interface with isolated scopes:
1. Visual Design Scope: Consistency with design system, spacing, typography
2. Usability Scope: Discoverability, user flow, cognitive load
3. Efficiency Scope: Keyboard shortcuts, power user features, quick actions
4. Accessibility Scope: WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, screen reader, keyboard nav
5. Responsive Scope: Mobile breakpoints, touch targets, viewport handling
Context: src/components/**, styles/**, only UI-related files
```
**Production Example: Multi-Agent Code Review** (Pat Cullen, Jan 2026):
Specialized agent roles for comprehensive PR review:
Scope-focused agents for comprehensive PR review:
1. **Consistency Agent**: Duplicate logic, pattern violations, DRY compliance
2. **SOLID Agent**: SRP violations, nested conditionals (>3 levels), cyclomatic complexity >10
3. **Defensive Code Auditor**: Silent catches, swallowed exceptions, hidden fallbacks
1. **Consistency Scope**: Duplicate logic, pattern violations, DRY compliance (context: full PR diff)
2. **SOLID Scope**: SRP violations, nested conditionals (>3 levels), cyclomatic complexity >10 (context: changed classes/functions)
3. **Defensive Code Scope**: Silent catches, swallowed exceptions, hidden fallbacks (context: error handling code)
**Key patterns** (beyond generic Split Role):
@ -5483,7 +5493,7 @@ Skills are knowledge packages that agents can inherit.
| Concept | Purpose | Invocation |
|---------|---------|------------|
| **Agent** | Specialized role | Task tool delegation |
| **Agent** | Context isolation tool | Task tool delegation |
| **Skill** | Knowledge module | Inherited by agents |
| **Command** | Process workflow | Slash command |
@ -5491,14 +5501,14 @@ Skills are knowledge packages that agents can inherit.
| Aspect | Commands | Skills | Agents |
|--------|----------|--------|--------|
| **What it is** | Prompt template | Knowledge module | Specialized worker |
| **What it is** | Prompt template | Knowledge module | Context isolation tool |
| **Location** | `.claude/commands/` | `.claude/skills/` | `.claude/agents/` |
| **Invocation** | `/command-name` | Inherited via `@skill` | Task tool delegation |
| **Execution** | In main conversation | Loaded into context | Separate subprocess |
| **Context** | Shares main context | Adds to agent context | Isolated context |
| **Best for** | Repeatable workflows | Reusable knowledge | Complex multi-step tasks |
| **Best for** | Repeatable workflows | Reusable knowledge | Scope-limited analysis |
| **Token cost** | Low (template only) | Medium (knowledge loaded) | High (full agent) |
| **Examples** | `/commit`, `/pr`, `/ship` | TDD, security-guardian | code-reviewer, architect |
| **Examples** | `/commit`, `/pr`, `/ship` | TDD, security-guardian | security-audit, perf-audit |
#### Decision Tree: Which to Use?
@ -5523,8 +5533,8 @@ Is this a repeatable workflow with steps?
| Need | Solution | Example |
|------|----------|---------|
| Run tests before commit | Command | `/commit` with test step |
| Security review expertise | Skill + Agent | security-guardian skill → security-reviewer agent |
| Parallel code review | Multiple agents | Launch 3 reviewer agents in parallel |
| Security review knowledge | Skill + Agent | security-guardian skill → security-audit agent |
| Parallel code review | Multiple scope-focused agents | Launch 3 review agents with isolated scopes |
| Quick git workflow | Command | `/pr`, `/ship` |
| Architecture knowledge | Skill | architecture-patterns skill |
| Complex debugging | Agent | debugging-specialist agent |
@ -16610,7 +16620,7 @@ Navigation: Shift+Up/Down or tmux to switch between agents
### Use Cases That Work Well
**✅ Excellent fit** (read-heavy, clear boundaries):
1. **Multi-layer code review**: Security agent + API agent + Frontend agent (Fountain: 50% faster)
1. **Multi-layer code review**: Security scope + API scope + Frontend scope (Fountain: 50% faster)
2. **Parallel hypothesis testing**: Debug by testing 3 theories simultaneously
3. **Large-scale refactoring**: 47+ files across layers with clear interfaces
4. **Full codebase analysis**: Architecture review, pattern detection
@ -16625,15 +16635,15 @@ Navigation: Shift+Up/Down or tmux to switch between agents
```markdown
Prompt:
"Review this PR comprehensively using agent teams:
- Security agent: Check for vulnerabilities, auth issues, data exposure
- API agent: Review endpoint design, validation, error handling
- Frontend agent: Check UI patterns, accessibility, performance
"Review this PR comprehensively using agent teams with scope-focused analysis:
- Security Scope: Check for vulnerabilities, auth issues, data exposure (context: auth, validation code)
- API Design Scope: Review endpoint design, validation, error handling (context: API routes, controllers)
- Frontend Scope: Check UI patterns, accessibility, performance (context: components, styles)
PR: https://github.com/company/repo/pull/123"
Result:
Team lead spawns 3 agents → Each analyzes their domain in parallel →
Team lead spawns 3 scope-focused agents → Each analyzes their scope in parallel →
Team lead synthesizes findings → Comprehensive review in 1/3 the time
```
@ -18813,4 +18823,4 @@ We'll evaluate and add it to this section if it meets quality criteria.
**Contributions**: Issues and PRs welcome.
**Last updated**: January 2026 | **Version**: 3.23.2
**Last updated**: January 2026 | **Version**: 3.23.4

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@ -295,12 +295,12 @@ claude --session infra-setup
**Organization**: Fountain (frontline workforce management platform)
**Challenge**: Comprehensive codebase review across multiple concerns (security, API design, frontend)
**Solution**: Deployed hierarchical multi-agent orchestration with specialized sub-agents
**Solution**: Deployed hierarchical multi-agent orchestration with scope-focused sub-agents
**Agent assignment**:
- **Agent 1 (Security)**: Scan for vulnerabilities, auth issues, data exposure
- **Agent 2 (API)**: Review endpoint design, request/response validation, error handling
- **Agent 3 (Frontend)**: Check UI patterns, accessibility, performance
**Agent scopes** (Fountain's approach):
- **Scope 1 (Security)**: Scan for vulnerabilities, auth issues, data exposure
- **Scope 2 (API)**: Review endpoint design, request/response validation, error handling
- **Scope 3 (Frontend)**: Check UI patterns, accessibility, performance
**Results**:
- ✅ **50% faster** candidate screening
@ -314,10 +314,10 @@ claude --session infra-setup
**Example prompt** (team lead):
```
Review this PR comprehensively:
- Security agent: Check for vulnerabilities and auth issues
- API agent: Review endpoint design and error handling
- Frontend agent: Check UI patterns and accessibility
Review this PR comprehensively with scope-focused analysis:
- Security Scope: Check for vulnerabilities and auth issues (context: auth code, input validation)
- API Design Scope: Review endpoint design and error handling (context: API routes, controllers)
- Frontend Scope: Check UI patterns and accessibility (context: components, styles)
PR: https://github.com/company/repo/pull/123
```

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@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ Specialized iterative pattern for code review where Claude reviews → fixes →
```
Review this PR with auto-correction:
1. Multi-agent review (3 specialized agents)
1. Multi-agent review (3 scope-focused agents)
2. Fix all 🔴 Must Fix issues
3. Re-review to verify fixes didn't introduce new issues
4. Fix all 🟡 Should Fix issues

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@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ post_edit:
### With Sub-Agents
Delegate test writing to specialized agent:
Delegate test writing to scope-focused agent:
```
Use the test-writer agent to create comprehensive tests for

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@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
# Source: guide/ultimate-guide.md
# Purpose: Condensed index for LLMs to quickly answer user questions about Claude Code
version: "3.23.2"
version: "3.23.4"
updated: "2026-02-09"
# ════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ deep_dive:
third_party_toad: "https://github.com/batrachianai/toad"
third_party_conductor: "https://docs.conductor.build"
# Configuration Management & Backup (Added 2026-02-02)
config_management_guide: "guide/ultimate-guide.md:4085" # Section 3.23.2
config_management_guide: "guide/ultimate-guide.md:4085" # Section 3.23.4
config_hierarchy: "guide/ultimate-guide.md:4095" # Global → Project → Local precedence
config_git_strategy_project: "guide/ultimate-guide.md:4110" # What to commit in .claude/
config_git_strategy_global: "guide/ultimate-guide.md:4133" # Version control ~/.claude/
@ -618,8 +618,10 @@ deep_dive:
# Advanced Plan Mode Patterns
rev_the_engine: 2323
mechanic_stacking: 2371
# Sub-Agent Patterns
split_role_sub_agents: 3546
# Sub-Agent Patterns (Refactored 2026-02-09)
agent_anti_patterns: 3662 # Critical: Roles vs Context Control (Dex Horty principle)
scope_focused_agents: 3709 # Formerly "Split-Role Sub-Agents", refactored for context isolation
teammatetool_experimental: 3606 # Multi-agent orchestration parent section
# Task Management Diagnostic
task_lists_diagnostic: 3398
# Mental Model
@ -1125,7 +1127,7 @@ ecosystem:
- "Cross-links modified → Update all 4 repos"
history:
- date: "2026-01-20"
event: "Code Landing sync v3.23.2, 66 templates, cross-links"
event: "Code Landing sync v3.23.4, 66 templates, cross-links"
commit: "5b5ce62"
- date: "2026-01-20"
event: "Cowork Landing fix (paths, README, UI badges)"
@ -1137,7 +1139,7 @@ ecosystem:
onboarding_matrix_meta:
version: "2.0.0"
last_updated: "2026-02-05"
aligned_with_guide: "3.23.2"
aligned_with_guide: "3.23.4"
changelog:
- version: "2.0.0"
date: "2026-02-05"
@ -1165,7 +1167,7 @@ onboarding_matrix:
core: [rules, sandbox_native_guide, commands]
time_budget: "5 min"
topics_max: 3
note: "SECURITY FIRST - sandbox before commands (v3.23.2 critical fix)"
note: "SECURITY FIRST - sandbox before commands (v3.23.4 critical fix)"
beginner_15min:
core: [rules, sandbox_native_guide, workflow, essential_commands]
@ -1250,7 +1252,7 @@ onboarding_matrix:
- default: agent_validation_checklist
time_budget: "60 min"
topics_max: 6
note: "Dual-instance pattern for quality workflows (v3.23.2)"
note: "Dual-instance pattern for quality workflows (v3.23.4)"
learn_security:
intermediate_30min:
@ -1261,7 +1263,7 @@ onboarding_matrix:
- default: permission_modes
time_budget: "30 min"
topics_max: 4
note: "NEW goal (v3.23.2) - Security-focused learning path"
note: "NEW goal (v3.23.4) - Security-focused learning path"
power_60min:
core: [sandbox_native_guide, mcp_secrets_management, security_hardening]
@ -1286,7 +1288,7 @@ onboarding_matrix:
core: [rules, sandbox_native_guide, workflow, essential_commands, context_management, plan_mode]
time_budget: "60 min"
topics_max: 6
note: "Security foundation + core workflow (v3.23.2 sandbox added)"
note: "Security foundation + core workflow (v3.23.4 sandbox added)"
intermediate_120min:
core: [plan_mode, agents, skills, config_hierarchy, git_mcp_guide, hooks, mcp_servers]