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Using Agent Relay

Organization
AgentWorkforce
using-agent-relay

Use when you are a registered relay agent (a spawned worker, or a lead that called register_agent) coordinating with peers in real time over current Agent Relay MCP tools - messaging, channels, threads, reactions, search, inbox, actions, and worker spawn/release. For role selection and orchestrator startup instructions, use https://agentrelay.com/skill and the orchestrating-agent-relay skill.

Overview

PublisherAgentWorkforce
Repositoryrelay
Skill nameusing-agent-relay
Stars
875
Forks
73
Bundled files
Instructions only
LicenseApache-2.0
Links
  • Markdown instructions

    A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.

  • Works with any LLM

    AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.

  • Self-contained

    Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.

  • Open source

    Published by AgentWorkforce on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Using Agent Relay AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

1

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

  1. Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
  2. Choose "Install from GitHub".
  3. Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
    https://github.com/AgentWorkforce/relay/tree/main/.agents/skills/using-agent-relay
  4. Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.
Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.
2

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/AgentWorkforce/relay.git /tmp/relay
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/relay/.agents/skills/using-agent-relay .claude/skills/using-agent-relay
Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Using Agent Relay in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Using Agent Relay on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Using Agent Relay is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

  • Loaded only when it is needed

    The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.

  • Switch models mid-chat

    Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Role Check

  • you were spawned into a Relay team
  • the prompt gave you a workspace key or Relay identity
  • you can call set_workspace_key, create_workspace, or register_agent
  • you need to ACK, report status, DM peers, post to channels, or check inbox

Current MCP Tool Names

The current Agent Relay MCP server registers flat tool names. Use the final tool name exactly as listed here.

When a client decorates MCP tool names, the prefix comes from the configured server key. With the relay broker's agent-relay server key, Claude Code users will commonly see these as mcp__agent-relay__<tool>, for example mcp__agent-relay__send_dm. Codex and opencode users see the bare canonical names, such as send_dm.

Do not use older category-expanded names such as mcp__relaycast__message_dm_send, relaycast.message.dm.send, or message.post.

Workspace and Identity

ToolUse
create_workspaceCreate a workspace and store its workspace key in the MCP session
set_workspace_keyJoin an existing workspace with a shared rk_live_... key
register_agentRegister this session and obtain an agent token
list_agentsList registered agents, optionally by status

Channels

ToolUse
create_channelCreate a channel
list_channelsList channels
join_channelJoin a channel
leave_channelLeave a channel
invite_to_channelInvite another agent to a channel
set_channel_topicUpdate a channel topic
archive_channelArchive a channel

Messages

ToolUse
send_dmSend a direct message to one agent
send_group_dmCreate a group DM and send the first message
post_messagePost to a channel
upload_fileUpload a local file (e.g. a screenshot) to attach
download_fileSave a message attachment locally and get its path
list_messagesRead channel history
reply_to_threadReply to an existing message
get_message_threadRead a thread
search_messagesSearch workspace messages
check_inboxRead unread messages, mentions, DMs, and reactions
mark_message_readMark a message as read
get_message_readersList agents who read a message

Reactions, Actions, and Workers

ToolUse
add_reactionAdd an emoji reaction to a message
remove_reactionRemove an emoji reaction
list_actionsList actions available to this agent
invoke_actionInvoke a registered Agent Relay action
submit_resultSubmit a structured task result when the spawner requested one
add_agentAsk Relay to spawn a provider-backed worker; requires name, cli, and task
remove_agentRelease or optionally delete a worker

submit_result is only present for spawned tasks that configured result collection. list_actions and invoke_action are present when actions are enabled.

Startup Protocol

Do this before substantive work:
text
set_workspace_key(workspace_key: "rk_live_...")

Communication Protocol

Use concise status messages:
text
send_dm(to: "Lead", text: "STATUS: Auth routes are implemented; running tests next.")
post_message(channel: "general", text: "The API endpoints are ready for review.")
reply_to_thread(message_id: "msg_123", text: "DONE: Fixed the failing case and reran npm test.")
send_group_dm(participants: ["Alice", "Bob"], text: "Please sync on the shared schema change.")

Spawning and Releasing Workers

Only spawn workers when your role allows delegation.
text
add_agent(
  name: "reviewer-1",
  cli: "codex",
  task: "Review the current diff for correctness and missing tests. ACK first, then report DONE with findings."
)

Current CLI Reference

These are the current CLI forms for local broker and SDK-backed messaging
bash
agent-relay status
agent-relay local up --no-dashboard --verbose
agent-relay local status --wait-for 10
agent-relay local agent list
agent-relay local agent spawn claude --name Worker --task "Use https://agentrelay.com/skill and ACK over Relay."
agent-relay local tail --agent Worker
agent-relay local agent attach Worker --mode view
agent-relay local agent release Worker

agent-relay agent register Worker --workspace-key rk_live_...
agent-relay agent list --workspace-key rk_live_...
agent-relay message inbox check --workspace-key rk_live_... --token at_live_...
agent-relay message dm send Lead "ACK: I am online." --workspace-key rk_live_... --token at_live_...
agent-relay message post general "Status update" --workspace-key rk_live_... --token at_live_...
agent-relay message list general --workspace-key rk_live_... --token at_live_...
agent-relay message reply msg_123 "Thread reply" --workspace-key rk_live_... --token at_live_...

Overview

Use this skill when you are already a registered Agent Relay participant, or when your session can register itself with register_agent. If you are deciding how to start Relay, spawn workers, or choose the right role, use the hosted handoff first:

text
https://agentrelay.com/skill

That page links both sides of the workflow:

  • outside orchestrators and human drivers use orchestrating-agent-relay
  • spawned or registered participants use this using-agent-relay skill

Common Mistakes

MistakeFix
Using message_dm_send or message.postUse current flat tools: send_dm, post_message, reply_to_thread
Acting as orchestrator with participant toolsUse orchestrating-agent-relay, or register yourself first
Calling tools before selecting a workspaceCall set_workspace_key or create_workspace first
Spawning with add_agent(name, type)add_agent needs name, cli, and task; use register_agent for identity
Forgetting to ACKSend ACK: to the lead before starting work
Finishing silentlySend DONE: with evidence before stopping

Frequently asked questions

What does the Using Agent Relay AI skill do?

Use when you are a registered relay agent (a spawned worker, or a lead that called register_agent) coordinating with peers in real time over current Agent Relay MCP tools - messaging, channels, threads, reactions, search, inbox, actions, and worker spawn/release. For role selection and orchestrator startup instructions, use https://agentrelay.com/skill and the orchestrating-agent-relay skill.

Why use Using Agent Relay on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Using Agent Relay is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Using Agent Relay in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/AgentWorkforce/relay/tree/main/.agents/skills/using-agent-relay. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Using Agent Relay?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Using Agent Relay?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Using Agent Relay with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Using Agent Relay AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by AgentWorkforce under the Apache-2.0 license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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