Feature Planner
Goal: Break down a feature description into phases and actionable tasks with dependencies and estimates; optionally create GitHub issues.
Description
Breaks down feature requests into actionable tasks with dependencies, estimates, and GitHub issue creation.
Usage
- •"Break down the [feature] into tasks"
- •"Create a plan for [feature]"
- •"What tasks are needed for [feature]"
- •"Plan the implementation of [feature]"
When to Use
Use this skill when you need to:
- •Transform a high-level feature request into concrete tasks
- •Identify dependencies between tasks
- •Estimate complexity and effort
- •Create a structured implementation plan
- •Generate GitHub issues for tracking
When run by pipeline you receive only the feature description (no prior spec); still produce phases and tasks from that single description.
Pipeline Contract (sdlc-full.lobster)
Inputs (from pipeline or user; current sdlc-full passes only description):
- •
description(string): The feature description. The pipeline does not pass a prior spec from another step; use this as the sole feature input. - •
create_github_issues(boolean, optional): If true andghis available, create GitHub issues. Wrapper passes--create-issueswhen requested.
Output: Produce the full markdown plan (see Output Format below). When invoked by pipeline, also output a JSON object with keys: breakdown (array of { title, phase, depends_on, estimate }) and github_issues (array of issue URLs, or [] if none created or gh unavailable). This allows a future wrapper or pipeline to parse the result.
Implementation
Execute in order. Do not run the Lobster tool or any pipeline. Use read_file to inspect workspace when relevant (e.g. existing services, package structure). Use bash only when creating issues (gh CLI).
Step 1: Analyze Feature Request
- •Parse the feature from the user message or the single description provided; do not expect a prior spec from another step.
- •Identify affected components: scan workspace with list_dir/read_file for
src/,services/,packages/, or similar; infer frontend/backend/database from structure. - •Determine scope and boundaries; list assumptions and constraints in one short paragraph.
Step 2: Break Into Phases
- •Phase 1: Planning – Specs, design docs, API contracts (estimate hours).
- •Phase 2: Implementation – Core functionality, integrations (estimate hours).
- •Phase 3: Testing – Unit tests, integration tests, E2E tests (estimate hours).
- •Phase 4: Deployment – Config changes, migrations, rollout (estimate hours).
Step 3: Generate Task List
For each phase:
- •Create specific, actionable tasks (each < 4 hour chunks).
- •For each task: title, phase, depends_on (list of task titles or "none"), estimate (S/M/L or hours).
- •Add one-line acceptance criteria per task where helpful.
- •If pipeline expects structured output: build a list
breakdownof objects{ title, phase, depends_on, estimate }and a listgithub_issuesof URLs (or empty array).
Step 4: Create GitHub Issues (Optional)
- •Only if
create_github_issuesis true and user/pipeline requested it. Check forghwithwhich ghor rungh auth status; if not available, skip and setgithub_issues = []and say so in one line (e.g. "GitHub issues skipped: gh not available or not authenticated"). - •For each task (or top-level tasks only to avoid clutter): run
gh issue create --title "..." --body "..." --label "feature"(add labels like backend/frontend from task phase/component). - •Collect issue URLs from command output and set
github_issuesto that list. When by pipeline, after the markdown plan output a JSON block withbreakdownandgithub_issues.
Output Format
# Feature: [Feature Name] ## Overview [Brief description of what this feature accomplishes] ## Affected Components - Component 1 (changes required) - Component 2 (new functionality) ## Implementation Plan ### Phase 1: Planning (Estimated: X hours) - [ ] Task 1: Write API spec for endpoint (depends on: none) - [ ] Task 2: Design database schema (depends on: Task 1) - [ ] Task 3: Create feature spec document (depends on: Task 1, Task 2) ### Phase 2: Implementation (Estimated: Y hours) - [ ] Task 4: Implement backend endpoint (depends on: Task 3) - [ ] Task 5: Add frontend UI components (depends on: Task 3) - [ ] Task 6: Integrate with existing auth flow (depends on: Task 4) ### Phase 3: Testing (Estimated: Z hours) - [ ] Task 7: Write unit tests (depends on: Task 4, Task 5) - [ ] Task 8: Add integration tests (depends on: Task 6) - [ ] Task 9: Manual E2E testing (depends on: Task 7, Task 8) ### Phase 4: Deployment (Estimated: A hours) - [ ] Task 10: Create database migration (depends on: Task 9) - [ ] Task 11: Update deployment config (depends on: Task 9) - [ ] Task 12: Deploy to staging (depends on: Task 10, Task 11) - [ ] Task 13: Deploy to production (depends on: Task 12) ## GitHub Issues [Links to created issues if applicable] ## Risks & Considerations - Risk 1: [Description and mitigation] - Risk 2: [Description and mitigation] ## Total Estimated Time: X hours
Example Usage
User: "Break down the authentication refactor into tasks"
Feature Planner: [Analyzes current auth system, identifies components]
Output:
# Feature: Authentication Refactor ## Overview Migrate from session-based auth to JWT tokens for better scalability and mobile support. ## Affected Components - auth_service (major changes) - api_gateway (middleware update) - frontend (token storage) - database (new refresh_tokens table) ## Implementation Plan ### Phase 1: Planning (Estimated: 8 hours) - [ ] Design JWT token structure and claims - [ ] Plan refresh token rotation strategy - [ ] Document new auth flow diagrams - [ ] Review security implications ### Phase 2: Implementation (Estimated: 16 hours) - [ ] Add JWT library to auth_service - [ ] Implement token generation/validation - [ ] Create refresh token endpoint - [ ] Update API Gateway middleware - [ ] Migrate frontend to use tokens - [ ] Create database migration for refresh_tokens [... continued ...]
Notes
- •Always ask clarifying questions if feature scope is unclear
- •Default to breaking tasks into < 4 hour chunks
- •Flag tasks that might need external dependencies or approvals
- •Consider backwards compatibility when planning changes