writing-plans by obra | skilld [Skip to main content](#main-content) [skilld](https://skilld.dev/) [Skills](https://skilld.dev/skills) [Collections](https://skilld.dev/collections) [Sign in](https://skilld.dev/login) [All skills](https://skilld.dev/skills) [![obra avatar](https://github.com/obra.png?size=96)obra/superpowers repository](https://skilld.dev/gh/obra/superpowers) # /writing-plans [obra](https://skilld.dev/gh/obra)/ [superpowers](https://skilld.dev/gh/obra/superpowers) 232,363 20,639 Use when you have a spec or requirements for a multi-step task, before touching code 81,000/wk Updated 8 hours ago [ Trust](#receipts "View trust signals: audits, signed commits, source provenance") [Documentation](https://skilld.dev/skills/tag/documentation "Docs, changelogs, release notes, READMEs") [ planning](https://skilld.dev/skills/tag/planning) [ implementation](https://skilld.dev/skills/tag/implementation) [ task-breakdown](https://skilld.dev/skills/tag/task-breakdown) [ specification](https://skilld.dev/skills/tag/specification) [ tdd](https://skilld.dev/skills/tag/tdd) [ requirements](https://skilld.dev/skills/tag/requirements) [ workflow](https://skilld.dev/skills/tag/workflow) ## Install skilld skills.sh `npx -y skilld add gh:obra/superpowers -s writing-plans` [GitHub](https://github.com/obra/superpowers) [skills.sh](https://skills.sh/obra/writing-plans) [Raw](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/obra/superpowers/writing-plans) ## Files - [SKILL.md](https://skilld.dev/gh/obra/superpowers/writing-plans) ## Skill content Copy markdown Preview Raw ## 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:** If working in an isolated worktree, it should have been created via the `superpowers:using-git-worktrees` skill at execution time. **Save plans to:** `docs/superpowers/plans/YYYY-MM-DD-.md` - (User preferences for plan location override this default) ### Scope Check If the spec covers multiple independent subsystems, it should have been broken into sub-project specs during brainstorming. If it wasn't, suggest breaking this into separate plans — one per subsystem. Each plan should produce working, testable software on its own. ### File Structure Before defining tasks, map out which files will be created or modified and what each one is responsible for. This is where decomposition decisions get locked in. - Design units with clear boundaries and well-defined interfaces. Each file should have one clear responsibility. - You reason best about code you can hold in context at once, and your edits are more reliable when files are focused. Prefer smaller, focused files over large ones that do too much. - Files that change together should live together. Split by responsibility, not by technical layer. - In existing codebases, follow established patterns. If the codebase uses large files, don't unilaterally restructure - but if a file you're modifying has grown unwieldy, including a split in the plan is reasonable. This structure informs the task decomposition. Each task should produce self-contained changes that make sense independently. ### Task Right-Sizing A task is the smallest unit that carries its own test cycle and is worth a fresh reviewer's gate. When drawing task boundaries: fold setup, configuration, scaffolding, and documentation steps into the task whose deliverable needs them; split only where a reviewer could meaningfully reject one task while approving its neighbor. Each task ends with an independently testable deliverable. ### 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:** ``` # [Feature Name] Implementation Plan > **For agentic workers:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:subagent-driven-development (recommended) or superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task. Steps use checkbox (\`- [ ]\`) syntax for tracking. **Goal:** [One sentence describing what this builds] **Architecture:** [2-3 sentences about approach] **Tech Stack:** [Key technologies/libraries] ## Global Constraints [The spec's project-wide requirements — version floors, dependency limits, naming and copy rules, platform requirements — one line each, with exact values copied verbatim from the spec. Every task's requirements implicitly include this section.] --- ``` ### Task Structure ``` ### 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\` **Interfaces:** - Consumes: [what this task uses from earlier tasks — exact signatures] - Produces: [what later tasks rely on — exact function names, parameter and return types. A task's implementer sees only their own task; this block is how they learn the names and types neighboring tasks use.] - [ ] **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** \`\`\`python def 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** \`\`\`bash git add tests/path/test.py src/path/file.py git commit -m "feat: add specific feature" \`\`\` ``` ### No Placeholders Every step must contain the actual content an engineer needs. These are **plan failures** — never write them: - "TBD", "TODO", "implement later", "fill in details" - "Add appropriate error handling" / "add validation" / "handle edge cases" - "Write tests for the above" (without actual test code) - "Similar to Task N" (repeat the code — the engineer may be reading tasks out of order) - Steps that describe what to do without showing how (code blocks required for code steps) - References to types, functions, or methods not defined in any task ### Remember - Exact file paths always - Complete code in every step — if a step changes code, show the code - Exact commands with expected output - DRY, YAGNI, TDD, frequent commits ### Self-Review After writing the complete plan, look at the spec with fresh eyes and check the plan against it. This is a checklist you run yourself — not a subagent dispatch. **1. Spec coverage:** Skim each section/requirement in the spec. Can you point to a task that implements it? List any gaps. **2. Placeholder scan:** Search your plan for red flags — any of the patterns from the "No Placeholders" section above. Fix them. **3. Type consistency:** Do the types, method signatures, and property names you used in later tasks match what you defined in earlier tasks? A function called `clearLayers()` in Task 3 but `clearFullLayers()` in Task 7 is a bug. If you find issues, fix them inline. No need to re-review — just fix and move on. If you find a spec requirement with no task, add the task. ### Execution Handoff After saving the plan, offer execution choice: **"Plan complete and saved to `docs/superpowers/plans/.md`. Two execution options:** **1. Subagent-Driven (recommended)** - I dispatch a fresh subagent per task, review between tasks, fast iteration **2. Inline Execution** - Execute tasks in this session using executing-plans, batch execution with checkpoints **Which approach?"** **If Subagent-Driven chosen:** - **REQUIRED SUB-SKILL:** Use superpowers:subagent-driven-development - Fresh subagent per task + two-stage review **If Inline Execution chosen:** - **REQUIRED SUB-SKILL:** Use superpowers:executing-plans - Batch execution with checkpoints for review Source: [SKILL.md on GitHub](https://github.com/obra/superpowers/blob/8e1262a3bae92b640d87fa81c51c53b65e490590/skills/writing-plans/SKILL.md) ## What it does Writes comprehensive, bite-sized implementation plans for multi-step coding tasks, with exact file paths, complete code samples, and test-first workflows. Targets teams working from specs or requirements with minimal codebase context, emphasizing clear task decomposition and frequent commits. Generated from this skill's SKILL.md. ## Frequently asked
What is this skill for? This skill guides you through writing detailed, bite-sized implementation plans before coding. It breaks a spec into concrete tasks with actual code examples, file paths, test commands, and commit steps — designed for a developer unfamiliar with your codebase.
When should I use this skill? Use it when you have a complete spec or requirements document and need to plan a multi-step feature before implementation. It's not for exploratory work or refactoring — it's for building new, testable functionality.
Does this skill actually write code? No. It produces a plan document with complete code examples, test expectations, and commands — but execution happens in a separate step using superpowers:subagent-driven-development or superpowers:executing-plans.
Where does the plan get saved? By default, plans save to `docs/superpowers/plans/YYYY-MM-DD-.md`. User preferences for a different location override this.
What if the spec is too big for one plan? If the spec covers multiple independent subsystems, break it into separate plans — one per subsystem. Each plan should produce working, testable software on its own.
Generated from the skill's SKILL.md. Refreshed when the source changes. ## Install skilld skills.sh `npx -y skilld add gh:obra/superpowers -s writing-plans` [GitHub](https://github.com/obra/superpowers) [skills.sh](https://skills.sh/obra/writing-plans) [Raw](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/obra/superpowers/writing-plans) ## Metadata
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84 chars · frontmatter
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## Files - [SKILL.md](https://skilld.dev/gh/obra/superpowers/writing-plans) ## Trust Verified 8 hours ago No third-party audits yet. Active [8e1262a](https://github.com/obra/superpowers/commit/8e1262a3bae92b640d87fa81c51c53b65e490590 "8e1262a3bae92b640d87fa81c51c53b65e490590")· updated last week [SKILL.md ](https://github.com/obra/superpowers/blob/8e1262a3bae92b640d87fa81c51c53b65e490590/skills/writing-plans/SKILL.md) [ History ](https://github.com/obra/superpowers/commits/main/skills/writing-plans/SKILL.md) ## Related skills From obra/superpowers Similar Other by obra [![obra avatar](https://github.com/obra.png?size=48) /using-superpowers obra/superpowers Use when starting any conversation - establishes how to find and use skills, requiring skill invocation before ANY response including clarifying questions](https://skilld.dev/gh/obra/superpowers/using-superpowers) [![obra avatar](https://github.com/obra.png?size=48) /systematic-debugging obra/superpowers Use when encountering any bug, test failure, or unexpected behavior, before proposing fixes](https://skilld.dev/gh/obra/superpowers/systematic-debugging) [![obra avatar](https://github.com/obra.png?size=48) /test-driven-development obra/superpowers Use when implementing any feature or bugfix, before writing implementation code](https://skilld.dev/gh/obra/superpowers/test-driven-development) [![obra avatar](https://github.com/obra.png?size=48) /executing-plans obra/superpowers Use when you have a written implementation plan to execute in a separate session with review checkpoints](https://skilld.dev/gh/obra/superpowers/executing-plans) [![obra avatar](https://github.com/obra.png?size=48) /requesting-code-review obra/superpowers Use when completing tasks, implementing major features, or before merging to verify work meets requirements](https://skilld.dev/gh/obra/superpowers/requesting-code-review) [![obra avatar](https://github.com/obra.png?size=48) /subagent-driven-development obra/superpowers Use when executing implementation plans with independent tasks in the current session](https://skilld.dev/gh/obra/superpowers/subagent-driven-development) [Stats](https://skilld.dev/skills/stats) [Accessibility](https://skilld.dev/accessibility) [GitHub repository (opens in new tab)](https://github.com/harlan-zw/skilld) Built by [Harlan Wilton](https://harlanzw.com)