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[Bug]: Subagents listed in opencode.json are incorrectly treated as primary agents (ignoring mode: subagent from agent files) #22130
Description
Description
When any subagent is added to opencode.json (even just to override the model for cost/performance reasons), OpenCode treats it as a primary agent.
The mode: subagent setting defined in the original agent .md files is completely ignored.
This causes all configured subagents to appear in the footer/Tab agent selector (making it unusable when using plugins like Compound Engineering that register many agents).
Plugins
No response
OpenCode version
1.3.17 (and all versions since v1.3.4)
Steps to reproduce
- Use any subagent (e.g. from Compound Engineering) that has
mode: subagentin its.mddefinition. - Add an entry for that agent in
opencode.jsonto override its model:{ "agents": { "subagent-name": { "model": "faster-cheaper-model" } } }
Restart OpenCode or reload the session.
Press Tab in the footer or look at the agent selector.
Expected behavior
The subagent should remain a subagent (hidden from the footer/Tab selector) because its canonical definition in the .md file specifies mode: subagent. Config overrides should only affect model/settings, not the agent mode.
Actual behavior
All agents present in opencode.json are forcibly treated as primary agents. The footer/Tab selector now shows many entries instead of only the true primary agents.
Workaround (confirmed working)
Remove the agent entry from opencode.json, or
Explicitly add "mode": "subagent" inside the config entry.
Screenshot and/or share link
No response
Operating System
Windows 11
Terminal
Windows Terminal
Activity
[-]Bug: Subagents listed in `opencode.json` are incorrectly treated as primary agents (ignoring `mode: subagent` from agent files)[/-][+][Bug]: Subagents listed in `opencode.json` are incorrectly treated as primary agents (ignoring `mode: subagent` from agent files)[/+]github-actions commentedon Apr 12, 2026
This issue might be a duplicate of existing issues. Please check:
mode: subagentsetting being ignored when an agent is also listed inopencode.json, which is a related but more specific angle.If the underlying bug (config overrides dropping the
modefrom the.mddefinition) is distinct from #21364, please clarify in this issue so maintainers can track them separately.AMythicDev commentedon Apr 12, 2026
I also encountered this on OC 1.4.1. If I set the
modein the.mdtoprimaryand don't explicitly configure it inopencode.json, it is still listed as both a primary and a subagent. Effectively, the option seems to be getting ignored.OpenCode version
v1.4.1
Operating System
Arch Linux
Terminal
WezTerm
PassionPI commentedon Apr 15, 2026
me too, also ignore the
modelthat i wrote in~/.config/opencode/agents/xx.mdgithub-actions commentedon Jul 4, 2026
To stay organized issues are automatically closed after 60 days of no activity. If the issue is still relevant please open a new one.