cavecrew
Decision guide for delegating to caveman-style subagents. Tells the main thread WHEN to spawn `cavecrew-investigator` (locate code), `cavecrew-builder` (1-2 file edit), or `cavecrew-reviewer` (diff review) instead of doing the work inline or using vanilla `Explore`. Subagent output is caveman-compressed so the tool-result injected back into main context is ~60% smaller — main context lasts longer across long sessions. "save context", "compressed agent output".
npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman --skill cavecrew --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
Cavecrew = three subagent presets that emit caveman output. Same job as Anthropic defaults (`Explore`, edit-style agents, reviewer); difference is the tool-result they return is compressed, so main context shrinks per delegation. ## When to use cavecrew vs alternatives | Task | Use | |---|---| | "Where is X defined / what calls Y / list uses of Z" | `cavecrew-investigator` | | Same but you also want suggestions/architecture commentary | `Explore` (vanilla) | | Surgical edit, ≤2 files, scope obvious | `cavecrew-builder` | | New feature / 3+ files / cross-cutting refactor | Main thread or `feature-dev:code-architect` | | Review diff, branch, or file for bugs | `cavecrew-reviewer` | | Deep code review with rationale + alternatives | `Code Reviewer` (vanilla) | | One-line answer you already know | Main thread, no subagent | Rule of thumb: **if you'd want the subagent's output in 1/3 the tokens, pick cavecrew. If you'd want prose, pick vanilla.** ## Why this exists (the real win) Subagent tool results get injected into main context verbatim. A vanilla `Explore` that returns 2k tokens of prose costs 2k tokens of main-context budget every time. The same finding from `cavecrew-investigator
- When to use cavecrew vs alternatives
- Why this exists (the real win)
- Output contracts
- Chaining patterns
- What NOT to do
- Auto-clarity (inherited)
What does the cavecrew skill do?
Decision guide for delegating to caveman-style subagents. Tells the main thread WHEN to spawn `cavecrew-investigator` (locate code), `cavecrew-builder` (1-2 file edit), or `cavecrew-reviewer` (diff review) instead of doing the work inline or using vanilla `Explore`. Subagent output is caveman-compressed so the tool-result injected back into main context is ~60% smaller — main context lasts longer across long sessions. "save context", "compressed agent output".
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add JuliusBrussee/caveman --skill cavecrew --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From JuliusBrussee/caveman, a repository with 95,714 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.