# Pdca Framework > Guides developers through a human-supervised PDCA framework for AI code generation. Applies analysis, TDD, validation, and retrospection. Activates for sessions requiring systematic quality control. - Skill: `kenjudy/pdca-framework` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 18 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add kenjudy/pdca-framework` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/kenjudy/pdca-framework/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: kenjudy (https://skillmd.com/u/kenjudy) - Updated: 2026-09-09 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/kenjudy/pdca-framework --- # PDCA Framework for AI-Assisted Code Generation A disciplined approach to AI-assisted code generation that employs agile practices organized in the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. This framework occurs within individual code generation sessions as a nested loop, with full cycles taking 1-3 hours. ## Core Philosophy This framework addresses the sustainability crisis in AI code generation where research shows: - 10x increase in duplicated code blocks (GitClear 2024) - 7.2% decrease in delivery stability per 25% AI adoption increase (Google DORA 2024) - 19% slower development with AI tools vs. without (METR research) The solution keeps humans actively engaged, empowered, and accountable while using structured prompts to regulate agent behavior toward transparency and discipline. ## Working Agreements Commitments you hold yourself accountable to when interacting with coding agents. See `references/working-agreements.md` for complete list and examples. **Core principles:** - Enforce strict TDD: one failing test at a time, no exceptions - Respect existing architecture: work within established patterns - Intervene immediately on process violations - Explicitly establish methodology, scope, and intervention rights before coding ## Beads Integration (Optional) Beads provides persistent, git-backed memory across PDCA sessions: - **Cross-session continuity**: Resume cycles days/weeks later with full context - **Task dependency tracking**: Link Plan → Do → Check → Act formally - **Searchable retrospectives**: Find past learnings easily **First-time setup**: See `references/beads-setup.md` **Active sessions**: See `references/beads-workflow.md` for per-phase commands All beads commands in the phase addon files are **optional**. The framework works with or without beads installed. ## Ponytail Integration (Optional) [ponytail](https://github.com/DietrichGebert/ponytail) is an AI-agent minimalism framework that climbs a decision ladder (YAGNI → reuse → stdlib → platform feature → dependency → one-liner → minimum-that-works) before writing code. Where its guidance and PDCA's TDD discipline conflict, three precedence rules resolve it — PDCA governs how work is verified, ponytail governs what gets built and how complex it is. **Setup**: See `references/ponytail-setup.md` **Active sessions**: See `references/ponytail-workflow.md` for the precedence rules and mode-to-phase guidance This addon is fully optional. The framework works with or without ponytail installed, and PDCA never sets or reads ponytail's mode on its behalf. ## Superpowers Integration (Optional) [superpowers](https://github.com/obra/superpowers) is a skills library for coding agents (MIT, © Jesse Vincent). Unlike the addons above it is not something PDCA invokes: it installs a session hook, so if it is installed it is always active. PDCA does not intercept it — one precedence rule applies, and it is superpowers' own: user instructions take precedence over skills. PDCA governs when work is verified and finished; superpowers governs how many individual tasks are carried out. **Setup**: See `references/superpowers-setup.md` **Active sessions**: See `references/superpowers-workflow.md` for which skills to welcome, which defer to the phase you are in, and why the list of conflicts is deliberately short This addon is fully optional. The framework works with or without superpowers installed, and PDCA never installs, configures, or suppresses any part of it. ## PDCA Cycle Overview Each step has distinct prompts and human commitments: ### 1. PLAN: Analyze & Plan (7-15 min) - **Analysis**: Examine codebase, define achievable objectives, explore approaches - **Planning**: Create detailed execution plan with numbered steps and checkpoints - See `references/plan-prompts.md` for complete templates - **Beads (Optional)**: See `references/plan-beads-addon.md` for epic tracking ### 2. DO: Code Generation (30 min - 2.5 hrs) - **TDD Implementation**: Red-green-refactor with checklist-based guidance - **Active Oversight**: Follow agent's work, intervene early and often - See `references/do-prompts.md` for implementation checklists - **Anti-patterns**: See `references/testing-anti-patterns.md` for common TDD violations to avoid - **Beads (Optional)**: See `references/do-beads-addon.md` for TDD step tracking ### 3. CHECK: Validate (2-5 min) - **Completeness**: Verify against analysis, plan, and quality standards - **Definition of Done**: Explicit checklist for delivery readiness - See `references/check-prompts.md` for validation templates - **Beads (Optional)**: See `references/check-beads-addon.md` for task graph validation ### 4. ACT: Retrospect (5-10 min) - **Process Review**: Identify what worked and what to improve - **Continuous Improvement**: Update 1-3 small things for next cycle - See `references/act-prompts.md` for retrospective guides - **Beads (Optional)**: See `references/act-beads-addon.md` for storing retrospectives ## When to Use Each Phase **Before opening any phase — goal check (30 sec):** Can you complete this sentence: "After this session, [outcome]." If you cannot state the outcome in one sentence, write it now. A session without a stated goal produces untestable CHECK and ACT phases. **Start with PLAN when:** - Beginning a new feature or significant change - Scope is unclear or could expand - Multiple approaches are possible **Use DO iteratively:** - After completing plan - For each step in the implementation plan - When context drift occurs, restart with updated plan **CHECK after:** - Completing all planned steps - Before committing code - When uncertain if work is complete **ACT at end of session:** - After successful completion - After encountering significant challenges - To refine prompts and practices ## Context Drift Recovery If agent makes sprawling edits, breaks TDD, or ignores working agreements: 1. Stop the thread immediately 2. Describe what you observe 3. Repost the relevant phase prompts 4. Direct agent to proceed with renewed focus ## Prompt Customization All prompts are starting templates. Adapt them to: - Your specific model and version - Your team's practices and conventions - Your codebase architecture - Lessons from retrospectives The PDCA cycle itself provides rapid feedback for incremental prompt evolution. --- ## License & Attribution **License:** [Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) **Attribution:** Process framework developed by [Ken Judy](https://github.com/kenjudy) with Claude Anthropic 4 **Source:** [PDCA Framework Repository](https://github.com/kenjudy/pdca-agentic-coding-framework) **Living Framework:** These prompts and working agreements should be continuously refined based on retrospective learnings from each collaboration session.