Claude Code regularly sends each background agent’s transcript to its model
Source
gist.github.com
Author
NikZaal
Date
Why it matters
If the claim holds, background agents carry hidden recurring tokenThe chunk of text a model reads and writes in — roughly three-quarters of a word — and the unit AI usage is billed in.Full definition → cost from status summaries. The gist explains the mechanism and an unofficial preload to disable it, which affects cost control for multi-agentUsing several AI agents on one problem — splitting work in parallel, checking each other, or filling different roles like planner and reviewer.Full definition → sessions.
Terms in this piece · Glossary
headless agent — An agent running with no one watching — in CI, on a schedule, or triggered by an event — with its output reviewed after the fact.
token — The chunk of text a model reads and writes in — roughly three-quarters of a word — and the unit AI usage is billed in.
multi-agent — Using several AI agents on one problem — splitting work in parallel, checking each other, or filling different roles like planner and reviewer.
