Manage Planning

Objective

Create hierarchical project plans that agents can execute with fresh context.

Quick Start

Use the create-new-plan workflow to:

1. Determine plan type (Lite vs Standard)
2. Gather project context (vision, constraints, stakeholders)
3. Create plan files (BRIEF.md, ROADMAP.md, phase PLAN.md files)
4. Validate quality (self-contained, atomic tasks, checkpoints)

This workflow provides step-by-step guidance with templates for creating executable plans that subagents can run with fresh context.

Plan Types

Lite Plan

Single PLAN.md with 2-3 tasks for smaller projects.

Use when: Simple feature, quick task, focused work

Standard Plan

Hierarchical structure with BRIEF.md + ROADMAP.md + phased PLAN.md files

Use when: Complex project, multiple phases, team coordination

Directory Structure

.prompts/planning/
├── BRIEF.md        # Project vision, constraints, scope
├── ROADMAP.md      # Architecture, phases, progress tracking
└── phases/
    ├── {number}-{phase-name}/
    │   ├── PLAN.md      # Executable tasks for this phase
    │   └── SUMMARY.md   # Phase summary
    └── ...

Key Methodology

Plans Are Executable Prompts

• NOT documentation for humans
• Prompts that subagents RUN to do work
• Must be self-contained (subagents know nothing)

Context Management (Critical)

Subagents know NOTHING - every plan MUST:

• Explicitly list required files with paths
• Include @ references: @src/database/schema.ts
• Provide the "why" not just the "what"
• Be fully self-contained

Scope Control

• 2-3 tasks per plan maximum
• ~50% context budget for references
• One phase ≈ one agent execution

Checkpoints

Include **[CHECKPOINT]** for:

• Architecture decisions
• Major milestones
• Risk points

Plan Numbering

Auto-increment from existing phases:

find .prompts/planning/phases -type d | wc -l

File Structure

BRIEF.md

• Project vision and goals
• Constraints and scope boundaries
• Success criteria
• Key stakeholders

ROADMAP.md

• Architecture overview
• Phase breakdown
• Dependencies between phases
• Progress tracking

PLAN.md (Phased)

# Execution Context
Files to read before starting

# Tasks
Checkbox list of actions

# Checkpoints
Items with **[CHECKPOINT]** markers

# Success Criteria
Definition of done

Reference Files

• references/plan-format.md - Detailed PLAN.md structure
• templates/brief.md - BRIEF.md template
• templates/roadmap.md - ROADMAP.md template
• templates/phase-prompt.md - Phase PLAN.md template
• references/scope-estimation.md - How to size plans