If there is no spec yet, do NOT use this skill. Use brainstorming or specification skills first.
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: using scopecraft tools
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:
---
insert frontmatter here
---
# [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
### 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**
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**
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**
git add tests/path/test.py src/path/file.py git commit -m "feat: add specific feature"
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, offer execution choice:
"Plan complete and saved to docs/plans/<filename>.md. Two execution options:
1. Subagent-Driven (this session) - I dispatch fresh subagent per task, review between tasks, fast iteration
2. Parallel Session (separate) - Open new session with executing-plans, batch execution with checkpoints
Which approach?"
If Subagent-Driven chosen:
- REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:subagent-driven-development
- Stay in this session
- Fresh subagent per task + code review
If Parallel Session chosen:
- Guide them to open new session in worktree
- REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: New session uses superpowers:executing-plans