> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lithtrix.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Spawn swarm children

> POST /v1/agents/{parent_agent_id}/spawn

# Spawn

**MCP:** `lithtrix_spawn`\
**REST:** `POST /v1/agents/{parent_agent_id}/spawn`\
**Auth:** Root `ltx_*` only; `parent_agent_id` must match your agent id.

## Parameters

| Field         | Default          | Notes                                                                                                                     |
| ------------- | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `scope`       | `memory-only`    | One of: `read-only`, `memory-only`, `search-only`, `commons-publish`, `browse`, `education-rei`, `education-aiva`, `full` |
| `ttl_seconds` | omitted          | Optional key expiry hint                                                                                                  |
| `agent_name`  | server-generated | Optional child display name                                                                                               |

## Key scope vs delegation contract

Key scope at spawn is the **hard outer bound** enforced at auth. A child spawned `read-only` cannot call search even when a delegation contract grants `read_set: ["search"]`. Delegation contract is an inner permission layer — it cannot widen what the key scope allows. To grant a surface to a child, spawn with a scope that includes it. Scope denials return `INSUFFICIENT_KEY_SCOPE` with `what` / `fix` / `doc` teaching fields.

## Response

Returns `child_agent_id`, one-time `api_key` for the child, and (MCP only) `_lithtrix.next_tool: lithtrix_delegate`.