Scoped Task Delegation: Giving AI the Right Level of Autonomy

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Scenario

Context: You're using an AI coding agent (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf) that can run commands and modify files

Goal: Learn to scope AI tasks appropriately - not too broad, not too narrow

Anti-pattern: Either micromanaging every step OR giving carte blanche to restructure your codebase

Tools: Claude CodeCursorGitHub Copilot WorkspaceWindsurf

Conversation

The Delegation Spectrum

Too narrow: You type more than the AI saves you
Too broad: AI makes decisions you should make

👤 You ✗ Bad example

Refactor the entire codebase to use TypeScript and modern best practices.

Too broad - 'entire codebase' and 'best practices' are vague. The AI might make sweeping changes that break things or conflict with your team's preferences.

🤖 AI

I'll start converting files to TypeScript. Let me begin with the src/ directory...

[Proceeds to modify 50+ files, adding types based on inference, restructuring imports, changing patterns]

Without clear scope, the AI may make changes you don't want, using patterns you don't agree with, in areas you didn't mean to change yet.

Well-Scoped Delegation

👤 You

Convert src/utils/validators.js to TypeScript.

Scope:

Only this file and its test file validators.test.js
Keep the existing function signatures
Add explicit types for all parameters and return values
Use strict mode (no any types)

Do not:

Change function implementations
Add new dependencies
Modify files that import from validators.js

When done:

Run npm run typecheck and fix any errors
Run the existing tests to verify behavior unchanged

Clear file scope, explicit constraints, and a verification step. The AI knows exactly what to do and what NOT to do.

🤖 AI

I'll convert validators.js to TypeScript with strict typing. Here's my plan:

Rename validators.js -> validators.ts
Add parameter and return types to all functions
Rename validators.test.js -> validators.test.ts
Run typecheck and tests

Let me start...

// validators.ts
export function validateEmail(email: string): boolean {
  const emailRegex = /^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/;
  return emailRegex.test(email);
}

export function validateAge(age: number): { valid: boolean; error?: string } {
  if (typeof age !== 'number' || isNaN(age)) {
    return { valid: false, error: 'Age must be a number' };
  }
  if (age < 0 || age > 150) {
    return { valid: false, error: 'Age must be between 0 and 150' };
  }
  return { valid: true };
}

Typecheck passes. Tests pass (4/4).

Should I proceed with the next file, or would you like to review these changes first?

The AI follows the scope, runs the verification steps, and asks before proceeding - proper agentic behavior.

Scoping Framework

👤 You

Give me a template for scoping AI tasks effectively.

Building a reusable framework for task delegation.

🤖 AI

Task Scoping Template:

## Task: [One-line description]

### Scope
- **Files to modify:** [explicit list or pattern]
- **Files to read (context):** [for understanding, not changing]
- **Files off-limits:** [explicitly exclude sensitive areas]

### Constraints
- [Pattern/style to follow]
- [Dependencies: can add? which ones?]
- [Breaking changes: allowed?]

### Do NOT
- [Specific anti-patterns to avoid]
- [Changes that need human decision]

### Verification
- [ ] Run [specific command] - should pass
- [ ] [Specific behavior to test]

### Checkpoint
- [When to pause and check in]

Example Scopes by Risk Level:

Risk	Scope Example
Low	"Add tests for this function"
Medium	"Refactor this file using pattern X"
High	"Change the database schema"
Too High	"Improve the architecture"

Rule of Thumb: If you can't describe the expected outcome specifically, the task is too broad.

The template ensures consistent, well-scoped delegation.

Key Takeaways

Explicit file scope prevents unwanted changes spreading
List what NOT to do as well as what to do
Include verification commands the AI should run
Ask for checkpoints on multi-step tasks
If you can't describe the outcome specifically, narrow the scope

Try It Yourself

Prompt Template

## Task: [One-line description]

### Scope
- **Files to modify:** [list]
- **Files to read (context):** [list]

### Constraints
- [Style/pattern to follow]
- [Dependency rules]

### Do NOT
- [Things to avoid]

### Verification
- Run [command] - should [expected result]

### Checkpoint
- Pause after [milestone] for review

Variations to Try

For refactoring: 'Keep existing tests passing, add tests for edge cases you find'
For multi-file: 'Process files one at a time, run tests between each'
For risky changes: 'Create a new branch, show me the diff before committing'

Sources

Tempered AI — Forged Through Practice, Not Hype

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Scoped Task Delegation: Giving AI the Right Level of Autonomy

Scenario

Conversation

The Delegation Spectrum

Well-Scoped Delegation

Scoping Framework

Key Takeaways

Try It Yourself

Prompt Template

Variations to Try

Related Content

Sources