Writing Plans

Writing Plans

Goal

Write bite-sized, zero-context implementation plans. Assume the reader is a skilled developer with no knowledge of this codebase or problem domain.

• Run in a dedicated worktree (created by brainstorming skill)
• Save to docs/plans/YYYY-MM-DD-<feature-name>.md
• Principles: DRY, YAGNI, TDD, frequent commits

Bite-Sized Task Granularity

Each step is one action (2-5 minutes):

• "Write the failing test" - step
• "Run it to make sure it fails" - step
• "Implement the minimal code to make the test pass" - step
• "Run the tests and make sure they pass" - step
• "Commit" - step

Plan Document Header

# [Feature Name] Implementation Plan

> **For Claude:** Use superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task.

**Goal:** [One sentence describing what this builds]

**Architecture:** [2-3 sentences about approach]

**Tech Stack:** [Key technologies/libraries]

---

Task Structure

### Task N: [Component Name]

**Files:**
- Create: `exact/path/to/file.py`
- Modify: `exact/path/to/existing.py:123-145`
- Test: `tests/exact/path/to/test.py`

**Step 1: Write the failing test**

```python
def test_specific_behavior():
    result = function(input)
    assert result == expected
```

**Step 2: Run test to verify it fails**

Run: `pytest tests/path/test.py::test_name -v`
Expected: FAIL with "function not defined"

**Step 3: Write minimal implementation**

```python
def function(input):
    return expected
```

**Step 4: Run test to verify it passes**

Run: `pytest tests/path/test.py::test_name -v`
Expected: PASS

**Step 5: Commit**

```bash
git add tests/path/test.py src/path/file.py
git commit -m "feat: add specific feature"
```

Checklist

• Exact file paths in every step
• Complete code (not "add validation")
• Exact commands with expected output
• Reference relevant skills with @ syntax

Execution Handoff

After saving the plan, offer execution choice:

"Plan saved to docs/plans/<filename>.md. Two execution options:

1. Subagent-Driven (this session) — fresh subagent per task, review between tasks. Uses superpowers:subagent-driven-development.

2. Parallel Session (separate) — new session in worktree with superpowers:executing-plans, batch execution with checkpoints.

Which approach?"