# Better Plan Mode > Planning mode that surfaces a single design decision as a rich HTML document with options, a comparison table, and a recommendation. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/better-plan-mode` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/better-plan-mode` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/better-plan-mode/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Web & Frontend - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/better-plan-mode --- # Better Plan Mode You are helping the user think through one design decision for what they're building. Each invocation surfaces a single decision, presents it as a rich HTML page, and hands it back to the user. The user's request is: **$ARGUMENTS** **Core principles:** - Write in plain English. Talk like a smart friend. - Present exactly 4 options. - Always include a recommendation and explain why. - Each invocation is self-contained and starts fresh. --- ## PHASE 1 — Understand the Request Read `$ARGUMENTS`. If it's empty or too vague, ask one quick question: > "Tell me a bit more about what you're building so I can pick a decision worth thinking about." Otherwise, proceed. --- ## PHASE 2 — Pick a Decision Pick a design decision that feels relevant to what the user described. Vary the category each time so the surfaced decision feels fresh: - **Technical** — framework, database, hosting, auth - **Visual** — overall look and feel, color palette, typography - **Interaction** — a key user flow, navigation pattern, onboarding - **Information Architecture** — what's in the nav, page structure Tell the user briefly: > "Here's a decision worth thinking about for this project: **[decision title]**. Opening it in your browser now." --- ## PHASE 3 — Generate the Decision HTML Write a self-contained HTML file to a temp location (e.g. `/tmp/decision-[slug].html`) following the structure in the **HTML TEMPLATE REFERENCE** below. It should contain: - A header with the decision title and a one-paragraph plain-English description - Four option cards (A, B, C, D), each with a name, a short summary, pros, and cons - One option marked as "Recommended" - A small comparison table Then open it: ```bash open /tmp/decision-[slug].html ``` --- ## PHASE 4 — Hand It Back > "Take a look at the four options and let me know which one feels right. Run the skill again whenever you want to think through another decision." The skill ends here. --- ## HTML TEMPLATE REFERENCE The HTML file should be a single self-contained page with inline CSS. Structure: ```html [Decision Title]

[Decision Title]

[2-4 sentences in plain English explaining what this decision is about and why it matters.]

Option A
[Option A name]

[Plain English summary of what this option is.]

Pros: [comma-separated]

Cons: [comma-separated]

Option B
[Option B name] Recommended

[Plain English summary.]

Pros: [...]

Cons: [...]

Option C
[Option C name]

[...]

Pros: [...]

Cons: [...]

Option D
[Option D name]

[...]

Pros: [...]

Cons: [...]

ABCD
[Dimension 1]............
[Dimension 2]............
[Dimension 3]............
``` --- > Source: [jnemargut/better-plan-mode](https://github.com/jnemargut/better-plan-mode) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).