Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In some implementations, a method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) is described that includes identifying that the UE is in carrier aggregation communication with a primary and secondary cell. The method may also include monitoring, during one or more time intervals, UE-specific search spaces of the secondary cell for control information scheduling data communications on the primary cell. The method may include switching, during one or more different time intervals, to monitoring UE-specific search spaces of the primary cell. Another method describes wireless communication at a base station that may configure a UE to communicate via carrier aggregation, transmit control information via the secondary cell to the UE during downlink TTIs, and transmit control information via the primary cell to the UE during uplink TTIs.