Controlflow Planning

ControlFlow Planning

Overview

Create a durable, execution-ready Codex plan. Keep the contract local: the saved artifact defines scope, risks, files, phases, validation, review route, and handoff without depending on VS Code agent mode.

Local Contract

• Read the repository before phase decomposition; keep verified facts separate from assumptions.
• Use references/plan-template.md as the plan contract, not a loose outline.
• Apply references/llm-behavior-guidelines.md for generic assumption, simplicity, scope, and verification discipline.
• Keep Codex portable: ask the user directly when a requirement changes scope, or record a bounded assumption when it does not.

Workflow

1. Create a saved plan when the user asks for one or when work is SMALL, MEDIUM, or LARGE; skip it only for truly TRIVIAL work.
2. Save to plans/<task-slug>-plan.md unless the user names another path.
3. Clarify only when the answer changes file scope, user-visible behavior, architecture, or destructive-risk handling.
4. Map likely files, tests, commands, dependencies, and change boundaries before phase decomposition.
5. Read references/complexity-tiers.md and references/semantic-risk-taxonomy.md; assign one tier and fill all seven risk categories.
6. Write the artifact using references/plan-template.md.
7. For non-trivial Codex plans (SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE), include the five fixed lifecycle sections in this exact order and with these exact headings: ## Progress, ## Discoveries, ## Decision Log, ## Outcomes, ## Idempotence & Recovery. These headings are required by ../../scripts/validate-strict-artifacts.ps1 and must match the template and fixtures exactly.
8. Use ABSTAIN or REPLAN_REQUIRED when confidence is below 0.9 or evidence is insufficient.
9. Add research or spike phases before implementation when a HIGH-impact risk is unresolved.
10. Keep phases incremental, testable, and explicit about files, dependencies, quality gates, and failure expectations.
11. Route non-trivial plans through strict review: SMALL -> controlflow-plan-audit; MEDIUM/LARGE -> add controlflow-assumption-verifier; unresolved HIGH risk -> include controlflow-assumption-verifier regardless of size.
12. Check references/controlflow-portability.md before handoff.

Spec Capture Handoff

When requirements, acceptance criteria, boundaries, or verification gates are not explicit, use controlflow-spec first. Carry its spec_path, scope, acceptance criteria, constraints, success metrics, and open risks into the plan. If spec capture is unnecessary, state why the request is already clear enough.

Planning-Specific Failure Checks

• Do not plan from chat memory when a spec is required; cite the spec artifact or create one.
• Do not skip semantic risk review because the tier feels low; fill every category.
• Do not decompose phases before reading the repository and mapping likely files/tests.
• Do not mark READY_FOR_EXECUTION without a strict review route and artifact destination.
• Generic anti-rationalization rules live in references/llm-behavior-guidelines.md.

Mandatory Output Contract

• Prefer structured text over raw JSON.
• Default plan file path: plans/<task-slug>-plan.md.
• Use the ControlFlow-style header and section order from references/plan-template.md.
• Write Agent: Planner in the artifact so the document matches the original conceptual role even though the implementation is a Codex skill.
• Record assumptions separately from verified facts.
• For READY_FOR_EXECUTION plans, include a clear handoff section that points execution to orchestration.

References

• references/plan-template.md
• references/complexity-tiers.md
• references/semantic-risk-taxonomy.md
• references/controlflow-portability.md
• references/planner-output-contract.md
• references/llm-behavior-guidelines.md