Source: Ported from obra/superpowers -- skills/executing-plans

Executing Plans

Overview

Load plan, review critically, execute all tasks, report when complete.

Announce at start: "I'm using the executing-plans skill to implement this plan."

Note: This skill works best on platforms with subagent support (such as Claude Code or Codex). When subagents are available, prefer dispatching a fresh subagent per task for higher quality results.

The Process

Step 1: Load and Review Plan

1. Read plan file
2. Review critically - identify any questions or concerns about the plan
3. If concerns: Raise them with your human partner before starting
4. If no concerns: Create TodoWrite and proceed

Step 2: Execute Tasks

For each task:

1. Mark as in_progress
2. Follow each step exactly (plan has bite-sized steps)
3. Run verifications as specified
4. Mark as completed

Step 3: Complete Development

After all tasks complete and verified:

• Verify all tests pass
• Check if the project's CLAUDE.md needs updating based on changes made (new files, changed conventions, updated dependencies)
• If CLAUDE.md is stale, propose specific updates before finalizing
• Present summary of what was built
• Offer options: merge to main, create PR, or clean up branch (squash commits, update docs)

When to Stop and Ask for Help

STOP executing immediately when:

• Hit a blocker (missing dependency, test fails, instruction unclear)
• Plan has critical gaps preventing starting
• You don't understand an instruction
• Verification fails repeatedly

Ask for clarification rather than guessing.

When to Revisit Earlier Steps

Return to Review (Step 1) when:

• Partner updates the plan based on your feedback
• Fundamental approach needs rethinking

Don't force through blockers - stop and ask.

Remember

• Review plan critically first
• Follow plan steps exactly
• Don't skip verifications
• Reference skills when plan says to
• Stop when blocked, don't guess
• Never start implementation on main/master branch without explicit user consent

Integration

Related skills and practices:

• ai-tooling:writing-plans - Creates the plan this skill executes
• Use a git worktree or dedicated branch to isolate work before starting
• After completion: verify tests pass, then merge, create PR, or clean up branch