---
name: Using Generic Agents
slug: using-generic-agents
category: AI Engineering
description: Using Generic Agents helps you choose between Haiku, Sonnet, and Opus for a task. Use it when deciding which generic agent fits the level of instruction, judgment, or sustained focus required.
github: "https://github.com/ed3dai/ed3d-plugins/tree/main/plugins/ed3d-basic-agents/skills/using-generic-agents"
language: Python
stars: 248
forks: 32
install: "npx degit https://github.com/ed3dai/ed3d-plugins/tree/main/plugins/ed3d-basic-agents/skills/using-generic-agents ~/.claude/skills/using-generic-agents"
installs_to: ~/.claude/skills/using-generic-agents
source_path: plugins/ed3d-basic-agents/skills/using-generic-agents/SKILL.md
collection_size: 25
category_size: 2631
collection_url: "https://dirskills.com/collections/ed3dai/ed3d-plugins"
added: 2026-09-02T05:21:05.108Z
last_synced: 2026-09-02T05:21:05.108Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/using-generic-agents"
---

# Using Generic Agents

Using Generic Agents helps you choose between Haiku, Sonnet, and Opus for a task. Use it when deciding which generic agent fits the level of instruction, judgment, or sustained focus required.

**Install:**

```bash
npx degit https://github.com/ed3dai/ed3d-plugins/tree/main/plugins/ed3d-basic-agents/skills/using-generic-agents ~/.claude/skills/using-generic-agents
```

## README

**CRITICAL:** Your operator's direction supercedes these directions. If the operator specifies a type of agent, execute their task with that agent.

## Model Characteristics

**Haiku:** Excellent at following specific, detailed instructions. Poor at making its own decisions. Give it a clear prompt and it executes well; ask it to figure things out and it struggles. Be detailed.

**Sonnet:** Capable of making decisions but gets off-track easily. Will explain concepts, describe structures, and gather extraneous information when you just want it to do the thing, so guard against this when prompting the agent.

**Opus:** Stays on-track through complex tasks. Better judgment, fewer loops. Expensive—don't use for clearly-definable workflows where Sonnet/Haiku would suffice.

## When to Use Each

Use `haiku-general-purpose` for:
- Well-defined tasks with detailed prompts
- High-volume parallel workflows (cost matters)
- Simple execution where speed > quality

Use `sonnet-general-purpose` for:
- Multi-file reasoning and debugging
- Tasks requiring some judgment
- Daily coding work (80-90% of tasks)

Use `opus-general-purpose` for:
- Tasks requiring sustained focus and judgment
- When Sonnet keeps wandering or looping
- Complex analysis where staying on-track matters
- High-stakes decisions needing nuance