DeepSeek Releases Super-agent Prototype to Rival Anthropic

DeepSeek has released a prototype coding agent called Super-agent as it seeks to challenge Anthropic's Claude Code. The open-source offering can proactively monitor developer group chats for feedback on coding issues and suggest solutions without being summoned, according to the DeepSeek Harness team. The company said the tool aims to take as little human attention as possible and give as much value as possible.

What Super-agent does

DeepSeek said the new agent can watch developer group chats and suggest fixes without being asked. It aims to reduce human attention while delivering value, according to a user manual on GitHub.

Harness team and background

Earlier in 2026, DeepSeek created the Harness team to focus on helping build AI agents that can take on coding services offered by leading US labs including Anthropic. The term harness refers to software scaffolding around a large language model, enabling AI agents to manage more complex tasks.

Funding and competition

The launch comes amid a rivalry between Chinese firms and US developers to build more advanced and affordable AI tools. DeepSeek has raised about 100 billion yuan ahead of its initial public offering to compete with Anthropic and OpenAI.

Sources: The Straits Times · Techmeme