Agent skill
Executing Plans
Execute detailed plans in batches with review checkpoints
Install this agent skill to your Project
npx add-skill https://github.com/obra/superpowers-skills/tree/main/skills/collaboration/executing-plans
SKILL.md
Executing Plans
Overview
Load plan, review critically, execute tasks in batches, report for review between batches.
Core principle: Batch execution with checkpoints for architect review.
Announce at start: "I'm using the Executing Plans skill to implement this plan."
The Process
Step 1: Load and Review Plan
- Read plan file
- Review critically - identify any questions or concerns about the plan
- If concerns: Raise them with your human partner before starting
- If no concerns: Create TodoWrite and proceed
Step 2: Execute Batch
Default: First 3 tasks
For each task:
- Mark as in_progress
- Follow each step exactly (plan has bite-sized steps)
- Run verifications as specified
- Mark as completed
Step 3: Report
When batch complete:
- Show what was implemented
- Show verification output
- Say: "Ready for feedback."
Step 4: Continue
Based on feedback:
- Apply changes if needed
- Execute next batch
- Repeat until complete
Step 5: Complete Development
After all tasks complete and verified:
- Announce: "I'm using the Finishing a Development Branch skill to complete this work."
- Switch to skills/collaboration/finishing-a-development-branch
- Follow that skill to verify tests, present options, execute choice
When to Stop and Ask for Help
STOP executing immediately when:
- Hit a blocker mid-batch (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
- Between batches: just report and wait
- Stop when blocked, don't guess
Recommended Agent Skills
Expand your agent's capabilities with these related and highly-rated skills.
Systematic Debugging
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Defense-in-Depth Validation
Validate at every layer data passes through to make bugs impossible
Verification Before Completion
Run verification commands and confirm output before claiming success
Root Cause Tracing
Systematically trace bugs backward through call stack to find original trigger
Brainstorming Ideas Into Designs
Interactive idea refinement using Socratic method to develop fully-formed designs
Requesting Code Review
Dispatch code-reviewer subagent to review implementation against plan or requirements before proceeding
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