send-message

Sends a free-form message to a specific agent on the NATS network using the subject `claude.agents..message`. Sets the reply subject to `claude.agents..message` so responses are delivered back through the same subscription — no ephemeral inboxes, no missed replies.

<quick_start> Arguments format: <agent-id> <message text>

Examples:

• claude-abc12345 The Paperless-ngx API uses token auth on POST /api/documents/post_document/
• claude-abc12345 Can you check the gatus status page and report back? </quick_start>

Each Claude Code agent on the NATS network has a unique ID (e.g. `claude-fc195d56`) shown in the MCP server instructions at startup. Messages are routed to the subject `claude.agents..message`. Your own agent ID is used as the reply-to subject so responses return directly to you without ephemeral inboxes.

<argument_parsing> Expected format: <agent-id> <message text>

Parse:

• agent — first token
• text — all remaining tokens as the message body

If agent is missing, use get_agents to list known agents and ask the user to specify one. If text is missing, ask the user what to say. </argument_parsing>

<messaging_principles>

• Be succinct: include only what the recipient needs to act.
• Include enough context so the recipient can work independently.
• End the exchange once the goal is achieved — do not keep messaging for acknowledgements or pleasantries. </messaging_principles>

Your agent ID is shown in the MCP server instructions (e.g. `claude-fc195d56`).

Use publish with your own message subject as the reply target:

publish(
  subject: "claude.agents.<recipient-agent-id>.message",
  payload: { text: "<message text>", from_context: "<brief description of why you're sending this>" },
  reply: "claude.agents.<your-agent-id>.message"
)

Tell the user the message was sent and that any response will arrive as an inbound agent_message channel notification.

<receiving_messages> When an inbound agent_message channel notification arrives:

<channel source="nats" event_type="agent_message" from="<agent-id>" ...>
<message text>
</channel>

Read the message, decide if action is required. To reply, use this skill again targeting the sender's agent ID. Do not reply merely to acknowledge — only respond if you have something substantive to contribute. </receiving_messages>

<success_criteria>

• Message published without error
• User informed the message was sent and that responses will arrive as channel notifications
• Exchange ends once the goal is achieved — no unnecessary follow-ups </success_criteria>