How do multiple agents work on the same files without conflicts?
Part of Shared context for agents: how teams and agents work on the same data
Multiple agents conflict on the same files because each one works on its own copy and writes back without knowing what the others changed. The fix is a shared data layer where every agent reads and writes the same source of truth, so there is no private copy to collide. This is a coordination problem, not a model problem.
What causes the conflicts?
Conflicts happen when two agents act on overlapping data before either change is reconciled. Each agent assumes its copy is current, makes an edit, and writes it back, silently overwriting the other. Without a shared source of truth, nobody can tell which version is correct.
Why do git worktrees per agent only go so far?
Giving each agent its own git worktree is a common workaround: isolate agents on non-overlapping branches so they cannot collide. It helps for code, but it only postpones the merge, and it does not extend to documents, datasets, or live shared state. The conflict reappears at integration time.
How does a shared data layer prevent overwrites?
In a shared data layer, there is one canonical copy of each file, and agents read and write through it rather than cloning it. Changes are tracked against that single source, so a later read always reflects the latest state and no agent can blindly overwrite another. With adlass, files live in shared Spaces over MCP, and per-Space permissions decide who can write what.
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Frequently asked questions
- Are git worktrees enough for multiple coding agents?
- They isolate agents during work but still need a merge, and they only cover code. For documents, datasets, and live state you need a shared source of truth, not just separate branches.
- Can two agents safely edit the same document at once?
- Yes, if they edit through one shared copy with clear write rules, rather than each holding a private copy. That is what a shared data layer provides.
Work with your agents on the same data
adlass is the shared data layer where you, your team, and their agents work over the same documents and datasets.