# Build Guard

> Use when implementing features, refactors, or multi-file changes. Orchestrated plan-then-execute with subagent dispatch and regression checkpoints.

- Skill: `cukas/build-guard` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cukas/build-guard`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cukas/build-guard/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: cukas (https://skillmd.com/u/cukas)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cukas/build-guard

---


# Build-Guard

Plan in isolation, implement with guardrails. Fully autonomous after approval.

## Phase 1 — PLAN (read-only)

1. **Enter plan mode** — call `EnterPlanMode`. No code changes until Phase 2
2. **Explore** — use Read, Grep, Glob to understand every file related to the task, plus their direct callers and dependents
3. **Write a numbered plan:**
   - Each file to change and what changes are needed
   - Dependencies between changes (order matters)
   - Potential regression risks per change
   - Estimated complexity: **small** (1-2 files), **medium** (3-5 files), **large** (6+ files)
4. **Present the plan** for user approval

```dot
digraph plan_decision {
    "Plan approved" [shape=diamond];
    "Small (1-2 files)" [shape=diamond];
    "Exit plan mode, implement inline" [shape=box];
    "Exit plan mode, dispatch subagents" [shape=box];
    "Context heavy?" [shape=diamond];
    "Handoff plan, clear context, resume" [shape=box];

    "Plan approved" -> "Small (1-2 files)";
    "Small (1-2 files)" -> "Exit plan mode, implement inline" [label="yes"];
    "Small (1-2 files)" -> "Context heavy?" [label="no"];
    "Context heavy?" -> "Handoff plan, clear context, resume" [label="yes"];
    "Context heavy?" -> "Exit plan mode, dispatch subagents" [label="no"];
}
```

**If context is heavy after planning** (exploration consumed significant context): run `/handoff` to save the plan, then the user can clear context and resume with full budget for implementation. If remembrall is not installed, save the plan to `docs/plans/` as a file instead.

## Phase 2 — IMPLEMENT

5. **Exit plan mode** — call `ExitPlanMode`

**Small plans (1-2 files):** implement directly, one file at a time.

**Medium/large plans:** dispatch subagents.
- One subagent per file or logical chunk (files that must change together)
- Each subagent receives: the plan, its specific task, and relevant file context
- Use `Agent` tool with a clear prompt describing exactly what to change and why

6. **After each file/subagent completes:**
   - Review the changes (read the modified files)
   - Run the project's type checker — fix errors before moving on
7. **After every 3 completed files**, or sooner if a change touches a shared interface:
   - Run the full test suite
   - If any test breaks: **stop immediately**, analyze root cause, explain before continuing
   - If the approach is fundamentally wrong: revise the plan, inform the user
8. **After all changes:** run the full test suite and type checker one final time

## Phase 3 — VERIFY

9. **Invoke `review-gate`** — execute the review-gate skill now. Do not declare done until review-gate has completed and all findings are resolved

## Rules

- Never skip the plan phase
- Never batch multiple file changes between verification steps
- If no test suite exists: state this, verify manually by reading affected code paths
- If no type checker exists: skip type checking, proceed with tests
- If patrol plugin is active: comply with its warnings. Read files before editing
- If remembrall nudges about context: run `/handoff` before continuing
- Never declare done without completing review-gate — non-negotiable