Plan Writing

Source: obra/superpowers

Overview

This skill provides a framework for breaking down work into clear, actionable tasks with verification criteria.

Task Breakdown Principles

1. Small, Focused Tasks

Each task should take 2-5 minutes
One clear outcome per task
Independently verifiable

2. Clear Verification

How do you know it's done?
What can you check/test?
What's the expected output?

3. Logical Ordering

Dependencies identified
Parallel work where possible
Critical path highlighted
Phase X: Verification is always LAST

4. Dynamic Naming in Project Root

Plan files are saved as {task-slug}.md in the PROJECT ROOT
Name derived from task (e.g., "add auth" → auth-feature.md)
NEVER inside .claude/, docs/, or temp folders

Planning Principles (NOT Templates!)

🔴 NO fixed templates. Each plan is UNIQUE to the task.

Principle 1: Keep It SHORT

❌ Wrong	✅ Right
50 tasks with sub-sub-tasks	5-10 clear tasks max
Every micro-step listed	Only actionable items
Verbose descriptions	One-line per task

Rule: If plan is longer than 1 page, it's too long. Simplify.

Principle 2: Be SPECIFIC, Not Generic

❌ Wrong	✅ Right
"Set up project"	"Run `npx create-next-app`"
"Add authentication"	"Install next-auth, create `/api/auth/[...nextauth].ts`"
"Style the UI"	"Add Tailwind classes to `Header.tsx`"

Rule: Each task should have a clear, verifiable outcome.

Principle 3: Dynamic Content Based on Project Type

For NEW PROJECT:

What tech stack? (decide first)
What's the MVP? (minimal features)
What's the file structure?

For FEATURE ADDITION:

Which files are affected?
What dependencies needed?
How to verify it works?

For BUG FIX:

What's the root cause?
What file/line to change?
How to test the fix?

Principle 4: Scripts Are Project-Specific

🔴 DO NOT copy-paste script commands. Choose based on project type.

Project Type	Relevant Scripts
Frontend/React	`ux_audit.py`, `accessibility_checker.py`
Backend/API	`api_validator.py`, `security_scan.py`
Mobile	`mobile_audit.py`
Database	`schema_validator.py`
Full-stack	Mix of above based on what you touched

Wrong: Adding all scripts to every plan Right: Only scripts relevant to THIS task

Principle 5: Verification is Simple

❌ Wrong	✅ Right
"Verify the component works correctly"	"Run `npm run dev`, click button, see toast"
"Test the API"	"curl localhost:3000/api/users returns 200"
"Check styles"	"Open browser, verify dark mode toggle works"

Plan Structure (Flexible, Not Fixed!)

# [Task Name]

## Goal
One sentence: What are we building/fixing?

## Tasks
- [ ] Task 1: [Specific action] → Verify: [How to check]
- [ ] Task 2: [Specific action] → Verify: [How to check]
- [ ] Task 3: [Specific action] → Verify: [How to check]

## Done When
- [ ] [Main success criteria]

That's it. No phases, no sub-sections unless truly needed. Keep it minimal. Add complexity only when required.

Notes

[Any important considerations]


---

## Best Practices (Quick Reference)

1. **Start with goal** - What are we building/fixing?
2. **Max 10 tasks** - If more, break into multiple plans
3. **Each task verifiable** - Clear "done" criteria
4. **Project-specific** - No copy-paste templates
5. **Update as you go** - Mark `[x]` when complete

---

## When to Use
- New project from scratch
- Adding a feature
- Fixing a bug (if complex)
- Refactoring multiple files

## Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.

plan-writing