---
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:**

```markdown
# [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

```markdown
### 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**

```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"
```
```

## 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, present execution options:

```
Plan complete and saved to `docs/plans/${filename}.md`.

## Recommended Next Step: /cc:parse-plan

Decompose this plan into parallel task files. This enables:
- Up to 2 tasks executing concurrently per batch
- ~40% faster execution for parallelizable plans
- 90% context reduction per task

**Best for:** Plans with 4+ tasks

## Alternative: Execute Without Decomposition

Use sequential execution via subagent-driven-development.
- Best for simple plans (1-3 tasks)
- Simpler flow, no decomposition overhead
- One task at a time

## Important

Decomposition is **REQUIRED** for parallel execution.
Always decompose plans with 4+ tasks to enable parallel-subagent-driven-development.

---

Which approach?
A) Decompose plan (/cc:parse-plan) - Recommended
B) Execute sequentially without decomposition
C) Exit (run manually later)
```

**If user chooses A:**
- Invoke `decomposing-plans` skill
- Proceed with decomposition workflow

**If user chooses B:**
- Invoke `subagent-driven-development` skill
- Execute tasks sequentially from monolithic plan

**If user chooses C:**
- Exit workflow
- User can run `/cc:parse-plan` or execution commands later