Writing Plans
Intent
Create a detailed, test-driven implementation plan that is easy to execute, review, and recover after interruptions.
When to Use
- •After a design/spec has been approved.
- •Before any multi-step implementation or refactor.
- •When work will be executed by multiple agents or sessions.
Precondition Failure Signal
- •Work starts without a plan in
docs/plans/. - •Tasks are too large to complete in 2-5 minutes.
- •Plan lacks exact file paths, commands, or verification steps.
Postcondition Success Signal
- •Plan exists in
docs/plans/YYYY-MM-DD-<name>.mdusingskills/writing-plans/templates/plan_template.md. - •Tasks are atomic and follow RED -> GREEN -> REFACTOR -> COMMIT.
- •Each task includes exact file paths and verification commands.
- •Tasks are only marked Done after verification steps are executed and evidence is recorded.
- •The user approves the plan before execution begins.
- •Required review evidence is recorded before marking the plan Delivered.
- •Plan is only marked Delivered with explicit user permission.
Process
- •Source Review: Read the design and identify impacted components.
- •Structure: Use
skills/writing-plans/templates/plan_template.md. - •Decompose: Split into 2-5 minute tasks.
- •Specify: For each task, include:
- •Exact file paths (create/modify/test).
- •RED/GREEN/REFACTOR steps.
- •Commands to run and expected outcomes.
- •Evidence capture requirements for verification output.
- •Commit guidance.
- •Verification: Ensure plan tasks include explicit verification steps.
- •Approval: Present plan and wait for user approval.
- •Review: Request review from relevant review personas for plan quality and boundary alignment, and record their collated feedback, agreed next steps, and any follow-up plan link in the plan document.
- •Deliver Gate: Ask for explicit user permission before marking the plan Delivered.
- •Handover: Offer execution via
executing-plansorsubagent-driven-development(if tasks are independent).
Example Test / Validation
- •Plan includes at least 3 tasks, each with exact file paths and test commands.
Common Red Flags / Guardrail Violations
- •Tasks labelled "Implement X" without steps or commands.
- •Missing verification steps or expected outputs.
- •Plans that skip RED-GREEN-REFACTOR.
- •Proceeding to execution without approval.
- •Marking a plan Delivered before required review evidence is recorded.
- •Capturing review feedback outside the plan without summarizing it there.
- •Marking Delivered without explicit user permission.
Recommended Review Personas
- •Tech Lead - validates architecture alignment and scope.
- •Software Engineer - validates task granularity and feasibility.
- •Lead Developer - validates plan quality and sequencing.
- •Architect - validates boundaries, colocation, and reuse decisions.
Skill Priority
P2 - Consistency & Governance
Conflict Resolution Rules
- •Execution skills must not start until the plan is approved.
- •If requirements change, return to planning.
Conceptual Dependencies
- •test-driven-development
- •brainstorming
Classification
Governance
Core
Notes
Plans are the recovery point for interruptions. Make them explicit and complete.