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Different models excel at different tasks. GPT handles reasoning and tool use well. Claude writes better prose. Specialized models exist for code, math, and domain-specific work. Handoffs let agents route subtasks to the right model. If you’ve already built an MCP + tools workflow, handoffs let you keep a fast “coordinator” model most of the time and route to stronger models only when needed.

When to Use Handoffs

Handoffs shine when a task has distinct phases requiring different capabilities:
  • Research -> Writing: GPT gathers information, Claude writes the final piece
  • Analysis -> Code: A reasoning model plans the approach, a code model implements it
  • Triage -> Specialist: A general model routes to domain-specific models
For simple tasks where one model handles everything, stick to a single model.

Model Strengths

A rough guide to model selection:

Next steps

  • Add multimodality: Images & Vision — Add image generation/vision to your workflow
  • See workflows: Use Cases — Multi-capability patterns
Connect these docs programmatically to Claude, VSCode, and more via MCP for real-time answers.
Last modified on June 30, 2026