Executing Plans
Overview
Load a plan, review critically, execute all tasks, report when complete.
Step 1: Load and Review Plan
- Ensure an isolated workspace (use using-git-worktrees or verify existing one)
- Read the plan file
- Review critically — identify any questions or concerns
- If concerns: Raise them with your human partner before starting
- If no concerns: Create todos for the plan items and proceed
Step 2: Execute Tasks
For each task:
- Mark as in_progress
- Follow each step exactly
- Run verifications as specified
- Mark as completed
Step 3: Complete Development
After all tasks complete and verified:
- Use finishing-a-development-branch skill to verify tests and present options
When to Stop and Ask for Help
STOP immediately when: Hit a blocker, plan has critical gaps, instruction unclear, verification fails repeatedly. Ask for clarification rather than guessing.
Code Example: Task Progress Tracking
- [x] Step 1: Create database schema
- [x] Step 2: Implement API endpoints
- [ ] Step 3: Add input validation
- [ ] Step 4: Write integration tests
Common Pitfalls
| Pitfall | Solution |
|---|---|
| Skipping plan review | Always review critically before executing |
| Following vague steps blindly | Stop and ask for clarification |
| Guessing instead of asking | Ask for help when stuck — never guess |
| Modifying plan without approval | Raise concerns, let partner update the plan |
| Skipping verification steps | Run all specified verifications before marking done |
Verification Checklist
- Plan reviewed critically before starting
- Todos created for all plan items
- Each task completed with verification
- No steps skipped or guessed at
- Blocker handling: asked for help when needed
- finishing-a-development-branch invoked at completion
- Tests pass, changes committed