> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.blackbox.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Orchestration

> Learn how to use Orchestration in the BLACKBOX AI VS Code Agent to run multiple sub-agents in parallel for efficient development of large features.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/blackboxai-3b9e98f8/ukCmSkZ5dXIUj2IM/images/vscode-agent/vscode_agent_orch_agent_create.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ukCmSkZ5dXIUj2IM&q=85&s=81501c30e8a8c2cf64a7064e6553278d" alt="VSCode Orchestration" width="3208" height="2156" data-path="images/vscode-agent/vscode_agent_orch_agent_create.png" />

## Overview

Orchestration is a powerful feature of the BLACKBOX AI VS Code Agent that enables you to run multiple sub-agents simultaneously. This allows for parallel processing of different parts of a larger feature or bug fix, significantly speeding up development workflows. By leveraging the Blackbox CLI, sub-agents operate in their own terminal instances, each handling specific tasks while the BLACKBOX AI VS Code Agent coordinates the overall process.

## How It Works

The Orchestration feature utilizes the Blackbox CLI to spawn multiple sub-agents, each running in a dedicated terminal. The BLACKBOX AI VS Code Agent:

1. Analyzes the overall task and breaks it down into sub-tasks. Users can also specify how they wish for the tasks to be separated.
2. Provides each sub-agent with the necessary context, instructions, and resources.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/blackboxai-3b9e98f8/ukCmSkZ5dXIUj2IM/images/vscode-agent/vscode_agent_orch_task_assign.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ukCmSkZ5dXIUj2IM&q=85&s=466fc4d5ac6ffa9223c770798f0e51be" alt="VSCode Orchestration" width="3120" height="2124" data-path="images/vscode-agent/vscode_agent_orch_task_assign.png" />

3. Monitors progress and consolidates results from all sub-agents.

4. Ensures seamless integration of changes across the project.

This approach allows for concurrent execution of tasks that would otherwise be sequential, reducing development time for complex features.

<Note>
  Orchestration requires Blackbox CLI to be installed and configured on your system. Refer to the [Blackbox CLI Getting Started](/features/blackbox-cli/getting-started) guide for detailed installation and setup instructions.
</Note>

## Getting Started

To use Orchestration in your VS Code Agent:

1. Ensure you have the BLACKBOX AI VS Code extension installed and configured (see [BLACKBOX AI VS Code Agent](/features/vscode-agent/getting-started)).

2. Verify that Blackbox CLI is set up on your system (see [Blackbox CLI](/features/blackbox-cli/getting-started)).

3. When planning to use the orchestration feature , specify that you'd like to use multiple subagents to speed up the task.
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/blackboxai-3b9e98f8/ukCmSkZ5dXIUj2IM/images/vscode-agent/vscode_agent_orch_planning.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ukCmSkZ5dXIUj2IM&q=85&s=8332d47c2e823a0cf2f835b5f38f668b" alt="VSCode Orchestration" width="3158" height="2130" data-path="images/vscode-agent/vscode_agent_orch_planning.png" />

4. The agent will automatically break down the task and spawn sub-agents as needed.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/blackboxai-3b9e98f8/ukCmSkZ5dXIUj2IM/images/vscode-agent/vscode_agent_orch_agent_create.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ukCmSkZ5dXIUj2IM&q=85&s=81501c30e8a8c2cf64a7064e6553278d" alt="VSCode Orchestration" width="3208" height="2156" data-path="images/vscode-agent/vscode_agent_orch_agent_create.png" />

The BLACKBOX AI VS Code extension will create each subagent and will manage their tasks.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/blackboxai-3b9e98f8/ukCmSkZ5dXIUj2IM/images/vscode-agent/vscode_agent_orch_terminals.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ukCmSkZ5dXIUj2IM&q=85&s=2b8b008948a0a44674986dc2b21a3bd6" alt="VSCode Orchestration" width="1624" height="474" data-path="images/vscode-agent/vscode_agent_orch_terminals.png" />

## Benefits

* **Parallel Processing**: Work on multiple components simultaneously, cutting down overall development time.
* **Efficient Resource Use**: Optimize time and effort on critical tasks by distributing workload across sub-agents.
* **Testing Multiple Approaches**: Experiment with different implementations for bug fixes or features without sequential bottlenecks.
* **Scalability**: Handle large-scale changes that involve multiple files, modules, or services.
* **Cost-Effective**: Save money by reducing the time spent on manual coordination and testing.

## Use Cases

##### Large Feature Implementation

When developing a comprehensive e-commerce platform update involving frontend UI changes, backend API modifications, and database schema updates, Orchestration allows sub-agents to handle each component in parallel:

* Sub-agent 1: Updates React components for the new checkout flow.
* Sub-agent 2: Modifies Node.js API endpoints for payment processing.
* Sub-agent 3: Alters database schemas and migration scripts.

The BLACKBOX AI VS Code Agent then integrates all changes and runs comprehensive tests.

##### Bug Fix Optimization

For a complex authentication bug affecting multiple services, Orchestration enables testing multiple fix strategies simultaneously:

* Sub-agent A: Implements a token refresh mechanism.
* Sub-agent B: Updates session management logic.
* Sub-agent C: Modifies error handling in API responses.

The BLACKBOX AI VS Code Agent evaluates the results and selects the most effective solution.

##### Refactoring Large Codebases

When modernizing a legacy application with thousands of lines of code, Orchestration can parallelize refactoring tasks:

* Sub-agent 1: Converts class-based components to functional components in React.
* Sub-agent 2: Updates API calls to use modern async/await patterns.
* Sub-agent 3: Implements new TypeScript interfaces and types.

This ensures consistent refactoring across the entire codebase in short time.

## Related Documentation

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="VS Code Agent Introduction" icon="code" href="/features/vscode-agent/introduction">
    Overview of the BLACKBOX AI VS Code extension
  </Card>

  <Card title="Blackbox CLI Introduction" icon="terminal" href="/features/blackbox-cli/introduction">
    Learn about the command-line interface used for sub-agents
  </Card>

  <Card title="VS Code Agent Key Features" icon="star" href="/features/vscode-agent/key-features">
    Explore all capabilities of the VS Code Agent
  </Card>

  <Card title="Best Practices" icon="lightbulb" href="/features/vscode-agent/best-practices">
    Tips for effective use of Orchestration and other features
  </Card>
</CardGroup>