Delegate enables launching and managing asynchronous task processes, allowing you to run Kiro chat sessions with specific agents in parallel to your main conversation.
The delegate feature allows you to:
kiro-cli settings chat.enableDelegate true
Or use the experiment command:
/experiment # Select "Delegate" from the list
Use natural language to ask Kiro to launch a background task:
> Can you create a background task to analyze the performance of our API endpoints?
Kiro will:
Tasks with agents:
Tasks without agents:
Once delegated, tasks work independently. You can:
> Can you create a background task to analyze the performance of our API endpoints? I'll create a background task to analyze your API performance. Agent: performance-analyzer Tools: fs_read, execute_bash, use_aws Resources: api-docs, performance-metrics Approve this agent? (y/n): y ✓ Task created: api-performance-analysis Task ID: task-abc123 Status: Running You can continue working while the analysis runs in the background. > Great! Now help me with the frontend code... # Continue main conversation > Check the status of my API analysis task Let me check on that task... Task: api-performance-analysis (task-abc123) Status: Complete Duration: 2m 34s Results: - Analyzed 15 API endpoints - Found 3 performance bottlenecks - Generated optimization recommendations Would you like me to show you the detailed results?
> Run our test suite in the background while I work on the new feature I'll start the test suite in a background task. ✓ Task created: test-suite-run Task ID: task-def456 Status: Running # Continue working on feature > How's the test suite doing? Let me check... Task: test-suite-run (task-def456) Status: Running (45% complete) Progress: 127/283 tests passed Still running. I'll let you know when it's complete.
> Generate API documentation in the background I'll create a task to generate your API documentation. ✓ Task created: api-docs-generation Task ID: task-ghi789 Status: Running # Work on other things > Show me the results from the documentation task Task: api-docs-generation (task-ghi789) Status: Complete Generated documentation for: - 23 API endpoints - 15 data models - 8 authentication methods Documentation saved to: docs/api/
> Create a background task to [description]
Kiro analyzes the request and determines:
If an agent is required, you'll see:
Agent: task-agent-name Description: What this agent does Tools: List of tools it can use Resources: Files it can access Approve this agent? (y/n):
Task runs in the background while you continue your main conversation.
Check status anytime:
> Check on [task name] > What's the status of my background task? > Show me task progress
When complete, you can:
> Show me the results from [task name] > What did the background task find?
Delete tasks when done:
> Delete the [task name] task > Clean up completed tasks
Always review agent details before approval:
Tasks without agents run with elevated permissions:
Verify delegate is enabled:
kiro-cli settings chat.enableDelegate
Check for errors: Look for error messages in chat
Try simpler task: Test with a basic task first
Verify task ID: Ensure you're using correct task name/ID
Check if task completed: Completed tasks may be cleaned up
List all tasks: Ask Kiro to show all active tasks
Review agent details carefully: Ensure you understand permissions
Check agent exists: Verify agent is properly configured
Try without agent: Some tasks can run without specific agents
Create specialized agents for common background tasks:
{ "name": "test-runner", "description": "Runs test suites in background", "tools": ["execute_bash", "fs_read"], "allowedTools": ["execute_bash"], "toolsSettings": { "execute_bash": { "allowedCommands": ["npm test", "pytest", "cargo test"] } } }
Analysis Tasks:
> Analyze code quality in the background > Run security scan as a background task > Generate performance report in background
Build Tasks:
> Build the project in the background > Compile and run tests as a background task > Generate production bundle in background
Monitoring Tasks:
> Monitor log files in the background > Watch for file changes as a background task > Track system metrics in background
Delegate