How I work
with agents.

Josh Tucker · Designli

Why I’m giving
this talk.

I used to plan the next step,
then do every step myself.
Now I explain the job
and keep it moving.
  1. It changed how I workI explain the job. The agent does the steps.
  2. It’s easier than it looksTalk to it, give it tools, let it run.
  3. You can start this weekWith the tools we already use: Basecamp, Slack and GitHub.

Talk to your
computer.

Explain the job out loud.
Keep talking as you refine it.

Typing~40 words a minute

Talking~150 words a minute

VoxstreamWispr Flow

Give it the
whole job.

“Read the feedback. Check GitHub and Slack. Show me what’s missing and coordinate the follow-up.”
  1. BasecampRead the customer’s feedback
  2. GitHubCheck what’s already being addressed
  3. SlackFind the team’s context
  4. HTML reportShow what is covered and what is missing
  5. Email + CalendarCoordinate the follow-up

Basecamp CLIGitHub CLISlackEmail

Is everybody
with me?

It’s a new world.
Attention spans adapted.
So did this presentation.

Use auto
mode.

Stop approving every step by hand.
Set guardrails once. Let it run.

Approving every stepApprovals

  1. Read the Basecamp threadAllow? Yes
  2. Search GitHub issuesAllow? Yes
  3. Check the Slack threadAllow? Yes
  4. Write the reportAllow? Yes
  5. Run the checksAllow? Yes
Done

Auto modeNo approvals

  1. Read the Basecamp thread
  2. Search GitHub issues
  3. Check the Slack thread
  4. Write the report
  5. Run the checks
Done

Claude CodeCodex

Run multiple
agents at once.

Keep independent jobs moving.
Herdr or T3 Code shows
which agent needs you.

You: prompt, approveAgent working

One agent at a time

✓

Done

Several agents at once

Feedback triageRelease notes✓✓
Bug fix✓
Weekly update✓
Prototype v2✓

Done

HerdrT3 CodeClaude CodeCodex

Let the agent
keep watch.

“Watch this thread. Tell me when someone answers, then prepare the next step.”

Example thread monitor

  1. 09:00
    No new replies
  2. 09:15
    A teammate answers
  3. 09:16
    The agent prepares the follow-up

One thread, a recurring check,
and a clear next action.

SlackCalendar

Delight your
customers.

“Show me another version.
Let’s try it while we’re talking.”
First Mobile Agent navigation comparison.
First version
Revised Mobile Agent comparison with compact ribbon navigation.
Next version

Josh’s Mobile Agent example

Agent browserdshare

Use CLI tools.
Learn the combos.

Each tool is one button.
A = punch. B = kick.
Learn more, then combo them.

Move list

  • APunchSlackreads the thread
  • BKickBasecampmakes the to-do
  • CUppercutGitHubopens the issue

Learn more: combo

A▸B▸CFeedback Blitz!

One ask does all three.

Master it: super combo

A▸B▸C▸D▸EShip it!

Five tools. The whole job. One ask.

CLI = the typing version of an app. Your agent does the typing.

SlackBasecamp CLIGitHub CLI

Workflow Fighter: play inside the presentation

Tools I use.

Your turn

Share your
combos.

Over the next week, post in #general

  • 1A tool or workflow that saves you time.
  • 2Something it helped you make more impressive, or do in a new way.
Message #general