Plan
Use this skill to produce a full, step-by-step implementation plan aimed at a capable engineer who lacks project/tooling/domain context and needs explicit guidance.
Workflow
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Inspect the repo
- •Scan the working directory for architecture, conventions, docs, and relevant code paths.
- •Identify the canonical spec/doc location in
docs/and whether a spec already exists.
- •
Clarify scope (if needed)
- •Ask only the minimum questions needed to lock scope; prefer 1-3 concise questions.
- •If the user already provided a prompt or requirements, proceed without delay.
- •
Write the plan into
docs/- •If a spec already exists in
docs/, append/merge the plan into that spec file. - •If no spec exists, create a single spec+plan document in
docs/and use that going forward. - •Assume the reader is new to the codebase and tools.
- •If a spec already exists in
- •
Beads handoff
- •If a bead already exists, update its design field with the plan path.
- •If no bead exists and the work is multi-session or large, recommend creating a bead and ask whether to use a single bead or an epic with milestone beads.
- •Recommend running the
beads-createskill once the plan is finalized to translate it into Beads epics/issues. - •For sequential projects, prefer a single bead unless explicit checkpoints or handoffs are needed; if using milestones, add linear dependencies.
- •Keep bead count low: one bead per major milestone, not per tiny task.
- •In your response, provide a short bead mapping (titles + dependencies) when applicable.
Plan requirements
- •Provide bite-sized tasks with clear ordering and rationale.
- •For each task, specify:
- •Files to touch (or where to add new files)
- •Code changes to make
- •Tests to write/run (favor TDD and test design guidance)
- •Docs to consult or update
- •How to verify (commands, expected outcomes)
- •Emphasize DRY, YAGNI, and frequent commits.
- •Use plain language; avoid jargon unless defined.
- •Provide testing guidance for engineers who are weak at test design.
- •Add a brief Beads handoff summary in your response when the work merits beads.
- •Always keep the plan in the existing spec under
docs/, or create a single spec+plan document indocs/if none exists.
Output structure (recommended)
- •Title + short context summary (as a new section in the spec file)
- •Assumptions and constraints
- •Implementation tasks (numbered)
- •Testing strategy and checkpoints
- •Rollout/risks (if applicable)
- •Beads handoff (if applicable)
- •Appendix: commands or references
Style rules
- •Be exhaustive but focused; avoid speculative extras.
- •Prefer concrete paths and commands over vague guidance.
- •Keep each task small enough to complete in 1-3 hours.