---

name: writing-plans description: Use when design is complete and you need detailed implementation tasks for engineers with zero codebase context - creates comprehensive implementation plans with exact file paths, complete code examples, and verification steps assuming engineer has minimal domain knowledge

Writing Plans

Overview

Write comprehensive implementation plans assuming the engineer has zero context for our codebase and questionable taste. Document everything they need to know: which files to touch for each task, code, testing, docs they might need to check, how to test it. Give them the whole plan as bite-sized tasks. DRY. YAGNI. TDD. Frequent commits.

Assume they are a skilled developer, but know almost nothing about our toolset or problem domain. Assume they don't know good test design very well.

Announce at start: "I'm using the writing-plans skill to create the implementation plan."

Context: This should be run in a dedicated worktree (created by brainstorming skill).

Save plans to: docs/plans/YYYY-MM-DD-<feature-name>.md

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

Every plan MUST start with this header:

Copy# [Feature Name] Implementation Plan

> **For Claude:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: 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

Copy### 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

Copydef 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

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

Copy
## Remember
- Exact file paths always
- Complete code in plan (not "add validation")
- Exact commands with expected output
- Reference relevant skills with @ syntax
- DRY, YAGNI, TDD, frequent commits

## Execution Handoff

After saving the plan:

**"Plan complete and saved to `docs/plans/<filename>.md`.

To execute:
1. Open a new Claude session in the worktree
2. Use executing-plans skill to run the plan in batches
3. After each batch, bring the progress report back here for review"**

## Reviewing Progress Reports

When the user shares a progress report from the execution session:

**REQUIRED:** Use the reviewing-progress skill to dispatch the progress-reviewer agent.

The agent will:
1. Compare progress against the plan
2. Flag concerns and deviations
3. Generate ready-to-use prompts for the execution session

**Response format:**

Progress Assessment

Status: [On Track / Minor Deviations / Needs Correction / Blocked]

Tasks Reviewed: [N of M]

What's Working Well

• [Positive observation]

Concerns

Prompts for Execution Session

[Issue - Type] [Ready-to-paste prompt]

Recommendation

[Continue to next batch / Address issues first / Pause for discussion]

Copy
## PR Documentation

When the implementation is complete and the PR is ready to merge, add a comprehensive GitHub comment documenting:

1. **The Problem** - What issue triggered this work
2. **Root Cause** - Technical explanation of why it happened
3. **Options Considered** - Table of alternatives with pros/cons
4. **Decision** - Which option was chosen and why
5. **What This Solution Does** - Before/after diagrams or explanation
6. **Files Changed** - Summary of modifications

Use `gh pr comment <number> --body "..."` to add the comment.

This creates a permanent record of the investigation and decision-making process for future reference.