Description
iterative-retrieval is an agent skill from the ECC collection by affaan-m, listed on skills.sh. It describes a pattern for solving the context problem in multi-agent work: a subagent is started with limited context and does not know which files, patterns or terms the project uses until it begins work. Instead of guessing the context up front, the pattern lets the retrieval be refined step by step, with each pass narrowing down what the agent needs. The skill applies when subagents need codebase context that cannot be predicted in advance, when a multi-agent workflow refines context progressively, when tasks fail with context too large or missing context errors, when designing retrieval-augmented pipelines for code exploration, and when token use in agent orchestration needs to come down. The pattern is a way of structuring what a subagent asks for, not a tool. A skill is a SKILL.md file of instructions that an AI agent loads when a task calls for it. It is free and open source, and the skills.sh listing shows all three security audits passing.…
Highlights
- Progressive context refinement
- Solves subagent missing-context failures
- Cuts token use in orchestration
- Retrieval pattern for code exploration
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iterative-retrieval FAQ
What does the iterative-retrieval skill do?
It describes a way for subagents to fetch codebase context in passes, refining what they need as they work, rather than starting with a guess.
What problem is it solving?
Subagents are spawned with limited context and do not know which files or terms matter until they start, the context problem.
Is it a tool I install?
No, it is a pattern in a skill file. The agent applies it when orchestrating subagents.
How do I install it?
Run: npx skills add https://github.com/affaan-m/ecc --skill iterative-retrieval
Is it free?
Yes. It is free and open source.
Are there security findings?
The skills.sh listing shows Gen Agent Trust Hub, Socket and Snyk all passing.
What are the best iterative-retrieval alternatives?
Popular alternatives to iterative-retrieval include blueprint, claude-devfleet and council. See all iterative-retrieval alternatives