Plan Iteration Checkpoint

Purpose

This skill provides a structured checkpoint protocol for agents (like Ralph) executing multi-phase implementation plans. It ensures each iteration cycle:

•Assesses current progress against the plan
•Determines next steps forward
•Documents current intention for continuity

When to Use

•At the start of each iteration cycle in a multi-phase plan
•When resuming work on a long-running implementation
•Before session close to capture state
•When the iteration-summary hook triggers

Protocol

Phase 1: Progress Assessment

Read the plan file and compare against actual state:

bash

# Locate the plan (check common locations)
PLAN_FILE="${PLAN_FILE:-thoughts/shared/plans/CTL_TUI_ARCHITECTURE_PLAN.md}"

# If plan path provided as arg, use it
[ -n "$1" ] && PLAN_FILE="$1"

For each phase in the plan:

• Check completion markers
• Verify artifacts exist (files created, tests passing)
• Note blockers or deviations

Output format:

code

## Progress Assessment

### Completed Phases
- [x] Phase 1: Foundation - DONE (files: src/core/domain/*.ts)
- [x] Phase 2: Ink Rendering - DONE (tests: passing)

### Current Phase
- [ ] Phase 3: Agent Output Mode - IN PROGRESS
  - Created: src/render/agent/schemas.ts
  - Remaining: serializer.ts, streaming.ts

### Blocked/Deferred
- Phase 7: OpenTUI - BLOCKED (dependency: TanStack Router setup)

Phase 2: Next Steps Determination

Based on progress, identify the immediate next action:

code

## Next Steps

### Immediate (This Iteration)
1. Complete `src/render/agent/serializer.ts`
2. Wire `--agent` flag to AgentOutputService
3. Add unit tests for CtlAgentOutput schema

### Dependencies
- Requires: CtlAgentOutput schema (DONE)
- Enables: Phase 4 (Project Discovery)

### Decision Points
- [ ] Choose streaming format: NDJSON vs SSE

Phase 3: Intention Documentation

Write a clear statement of intent for continuity:

code

## Current Intention

**Goal**: Complete Agent Output Mode (Phase 3)

**Approach**: Implement the serializer using Effect.Match for
discriminated union handling, output CtlAgentOutput JSON to stdout
when --agent flag detected.

**Success Criteria**:
- `ctl health --agent` outputs valid CtlAgentOutput JSON
- Schema validates with Effect.Schema.decodeUnknown
- Streaming updates emit progressive chunks

**Time Box**: 1 iteration cycle (~30 min focused work)

Output Location

Write checkpoint to .agents/val/journal/YYYY-MM-DD-iteration-N.md:

bash

JOURNAL_DIR="$CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR/.agents/val/journal"
DATE=$(date +%Y-%m-%d)
ITERATION=$(ls "$JOURNAL_DIR/$DATE-iteration-"*.md 2>/dev/null | wc -l)
ITERATION=$((ITERATION + 1))
CHECKPOINT_FILE="$JOURNAL_DIR/$DATE-iteration-$ITERATION.md"

Full Checkpoint Template

markdown

# Iteration Checkpoint: {DATE} #{N}

## Plan Reference
- **Plan**: {PLAN_FILE}
- **Target Phase**: {CURRENT_PHASE}

## Progress Assessment

### Completed
{LIST_COMPLETED_ITEMS}

### In Progress
{LIST_IN_PROGRESS_ITEMS}

### Blocked
{LIST_BLOCKED_ITEMS}

## Next Steps

### Immediate
{ORDERED_NEXT_ACTIONS}

### Decision Points
{PENDING_DECISIONS}

## Current Intention

**Goal**: {SINGLE_SENTENCE_GOAL}

**Approach**: {HOW_TO_ACHIEVE}

**Success Criteria**:
{MEASURABLE_CRITERIA}

---
*Checkpoint written: {TIMESTAMP}*

Integration with Hooks

The iteration-summary hook (SessionEnd) will:

•Invoke this skill to generate final checkpoint
•Write summary to journal
•Update beads if applicable

Usage in Ralph One-Liner

bash

claude --print "invoke /plan-iteration-checkpoint with plan at $PLAN_FILE, then continue implementing the next phase until iteration budget exhausted"

Related Skills

•/implement_plan - Execute plans from thoughts/shared/plans
•/create_handoff - Create handoff documents for session transfer
•/beads-session-workflow - Beads issue tracking integration