Structured Plan
A checklist-driven planning workflow that ensures plans are research-validated, broken into atomic tasks, complete, and self-verifying.
Workflow Overview
Phase A: Clarification (if needed)
↓
Phase B: Iterative Refinement (7 steps)
↓
Exit Plan Mode → Implementation
Phase A: Clarification
If the user's prompt is vague or ambiguous, use AskUserQuestion to clarify before proceeding. Ask about:
- Scope boundaries (what's in/out)
- Technology choices (if multiple options exist)
- Acceptance criteria (how to know it's done)
Once intent is clear, proceed to Phase B.
Phase B: Iterative Refinement
After drafting an initial plan, apply this checklist. Edit the plan file after each step (not one-shot).
Step 1: Research Validation
Validate your approach against official documentation.
- Use WebSearch for patterns, best practices, common gotchas
- Use Context7 for framework/library docs
- If not loaded:
mcp-add context7(lean mode) or skip to WebSearch
- If not loaded:
- Add Best Practices References section to plan with links
## Best Practices References
- [Pattern name](url) - key insight
- [Library docs](url) - relevant section
→ Edit plan file
Step 2: Task Breakdown
Break the plan into atomic, committable tasks.
- Create numbered tasks (Task 1, Task 2, ...)
- Each task must have: Files, Verify, Commit
- Use TaskCreate/TaskUpdate tools to track progress during implementation
See references/task-template.md for format.
→ Edit plan file
Step 3: Task Dependencies
Define execution order with a dependency diagram.
- Use
→for sequential dependencies - Use commas for parallel tasks
- Make dependencies explicit, not implicit
Task 1 → Task 2 → Task 3
Task 4, Task 5 (parallel, after Task 3)
→ Edit plan file
Step 4: Shared Infrastructure
Identify code that would be duplicated across tasks and define shared locations.
- Explore existing project structure for conventions (test dirs, types, utils)
- Identify shared code: test mocks, types, helper utilities
- Define locations that match the project's existing patterns
Add a Shared Infrastructure section listing where shared code lives.
→ Edit plan file
Step 5: Completeness Check
Ensure the plan is unambiguous enough for another agent to implement.
- All types are DEFINED, not just referenced
- All function signatures are SHOWN, not just mentioned
- No
...or "rest unchanged" placeholders - No implicit assumptions about existing code
Test: Could someone implement this without asking questions?
→ Edit plan file (fix any gaps)
Step 6: Final Verification Task
Add a final task that spawns 3 parallel verification subagents after implementation.
- Add "Task N: Post-Implementation Verification" to the plan
- Reference the 3 agents: Compliance, Best Practices, Code Simplifier
See references/verification-agents.md for prompts.
### Task N: Post-Implementation Verification
**Files**: None (verification only)
**Verify**: Spawn 3 parallel subagents:
1. Compliance Agent (Explore) - verify implementation matches plan
2. Best Practices Agent (general-purpose) - validate against docs
3. Code Simplifier Agent (code-simplifier) - check for over-engineering
**Commit**: None (verification task)
→ Edit plan file
Step 7: Exit Plan Mode
- Call ExitPlanMode to request user approval
- Address any feedback
- Begin implementation once approved
Quick Reference
| Step | Action | Plan Section Added |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Research | Best Practices References |
| 2 | Task breakdown | Implementation Tasks |
| 3 | Dependencies | Task Dependencies diagram |
| 4 | Shared code | Shared Infrastructure |
| 5 | Completeness | (fixes throughout) |
| 6 | Verification | Final verification task |
| 7 | Exit | (tool call) |
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