Executing Plans

Overview

Load plan, review critically, execute tasks in batches, report for review between batches.

Core principle: Batch execution with checkpoints for user review.

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

When to Use

Have implementation plan?
    ↓ yes
Want batch execution with checkpoints?
    ↓ yes
Separate session (not subagent-driven)?
    ↓ yes
→ Use executing-plans

vs. Subagent-Driven Development:

• Batch execution (multiple tasks at once)
• User review between batches
• Better for sequential tasks with dependencies
• User stays in loop at checkpoints

The Process

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Executing Plans Flow                          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                   │
│   Step 1: Load and Review Plan                                   │
│   └─→ Read plan, identify questions, raise concerns              │
│                                                                   │
│   Step 2: Execute Batch (default: 3 tasks)                       │
│   └─→ Follow TDD for each task                                   │
│   └─→ Mark as in_progress → completed                            │
│                                                                   │
│   Step 3: Report                                                  │
│   └─→ Show what was implemented                                  │
│   └─→ Show verification output                                   │
│   └─→ "Ready for feedback"                                       │
│                                                                   │
│   Step 4: Continue                                                │
│   └─→ Apply feedback if needed                                   │
│   └─→ Execute next batch                                         │
│                                                                   │
│   Step 5: Complete Development                                    │
│   └─→ Use superspec:finish-branch                                │
│                                                                   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Step 1: Load and Review Plan

1. Read plan file: superspec/changes/[id]/plan.md
2. Review critically - identify any questions or concerns
3. If concerns: Raise them with user before starting
4. If no concerns: Create TodoWrite and proceed

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do I understand all tasks?
• Are there any ambiguous requirements?
• Do I have all the context I need?
• Are there any risks or concerns?

Step 2: Execute Batch

Default: First 3 tasks

For each task:

1. Mark as in_progress in TodoWrite
2. Follow TDD strictly:
   • Write failing test
   • Run test, verify fails
   • Implement minimal code
   • Run test, verify passes
   • Commit with Spec reference
3. Mark as completed
4. Update tasks.md with completion

TDD is mandatory for each task. No exceptions.

Step 3: Report

When batch complete, report:

## Batch 1 Complete (Tasks 1-3)

### Task 1: [Name]
- Implemented: [what]
- Tests: [X/Y pass]
- Commit: [sha]

### Task 2: [Name]
- Implemented: [what]
- Tests: [X/Y pass]
- Commit: [sha]

### Task 3: [Name]
- Implemented: [what]
- Tests: [X/Y pass]
- Commit: [sha]

### Verification

$ npm test All tests pass (X/Y)

Ready for feedback.

Wait for user feedback before continuing.

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 finish-branch skill to complete this work."
• REQUIRED: Use superspec:finish-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
• TDD cycle isn't working (test won't fail/pass as expected)

Ask for clarification rather than guessing.

When to Revisit Earlier Steps

Return to Review (Step 1) when:

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

Don't force through blockers - stop and ask.

Batch Size Guidelines

Adjust based on:

• Task complexity
• User preference
• How closely user wants to monitor

SuperSpec Integration

TDD for Each Task

Every task in the batch must follow TDD:

For each task:
  1. Write test based on Scenario
  2. Run test → MUST FAIL
  3. Implement minimal code
  4. Run test → MUST PASS
  5. Commit with Spec reference

Update Documents

After each batch:

• Update tasks.md with completed tasks
• Update status counts (top section)
• Update Completion Tracking table (bottom section)
• Mark phases complete when done

Completion Tracking table example:

## Completion Tracking

| Phase | Tasks | Completed | Status |
|-------|-------|-----------|--------|
| Phase 1 | 3 | 2 | IN_PROGRESS |
| Phase 2 | 6 | 0 | PENDING |
| **Total** | **9** | **2** | **22%** |

Spec References in Commits

git commit -m "feat([capability]): [description]

Refs: superspec/changes/[id]/specs/[cap]/spec.md
Requirement: [Name]
Scenario: [Name]"

Red Flags

Never:

• Skip TDD for "simple" tasks
• Continue without user feedback at checkpoints
• Ignore blockers and push through
• Skip verification before reporting
• Guess when unsure
• Skip Completion Tracking table updates

Always:

• Review plan critically first
• Follow TDD for every task
• Report at batch completion
• Update Completion Tracking table after each batch
• Wait for feedback
• Stop when blocked

Quick Reference

Integration

Called by:

• Plan header directive
• User choosing "Parallel Session" execution

Pairs with:

• superspec:plan - Creates the plan this executes
• superspec:finish-branch - Completes development
• tdd - Implementation method for each task
• verification-before-completion - Before claiming batch complete

Remember

• Review plan critically first
• Follow plan steps exactly
• Follow TDD for EVERY task
• Don't skip verifications
• Reference skills when plan says to
• Between batches: just report and wait
• Stop when blocked, don't guess