Agent skill
pal-planner
Interactive task planning with revision and branching using PAL MCP. Use for complex project planning, system design, migration strategies, and breaking down large tasks. Triggers on planning requests, task breakdown, or strategy development.
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Forks
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Install this agent skill to your Project
npx add-skill https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry/tree/main/skills/productivity/pal-planner
SKILL.md
PAL Planner - Task Planning
Break down complex tasks through interactive, sequential planning with revision and branching.
When to Use
- Complex project planning
- System design and architecture
- Migration strategies
- Feature implementation planning
- Breaking down large tasks
- Exploring alternative approaches
Quick Start
python
# Start planning
result = mcp__pal__planner(
step="""
Task: Implement user authentication system
Scope:
- Email/password login
- OAuth (Google, GitHub)
- JWT tokens with refresh
- Password reset flow
""",
step_number=1,
total_steps=4,
next_step_required=True
)
# Continue planning
result = mcp__pal__planner(
step="Step 2: Database schema and models",
step_number=2,
total_steps=4,
next_step_required=True,
continuation_id=result["continuation_id"]
)
Required Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
step |
string | Planning content for this step |
step_number |
int | Current step |
total_steps |
int | Estimated total steps |
next_step_required |
bool | More planning needed? |
Optional Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
is_step_revision |
bool | Revising a previous step? |
revises_step_number |
int | Which step being revised |
is_branch_point |
bool | Creating an alternative branch? |
branch_id |
string | Name for this branch |
branch_from_step |
int | Step this branch starts from |
more_steps_needed |
bool | Need more steps than estimated? |
continuation_id |
string | Continue session |
model |
string | Override model |
Branching for Alternatives
Explore different approaches:
python
# Create a branch for alternative approach
mcp__pal__planner(
step="Alternative: Use session-based auth instead of JWT",
step_number=3,
total_steps=5,
next_step_required=True,
is_branch_point=True,
branch_id="session-auth",
branch_from_step=2,
continuation_id=result["continuation_id"]
)
Revising Steps
Update earlier decisions:
python
mcp__pal__planner(
step="Revised: Add rate limiting to auth endpoints",
step_number=2,
total_steps=4,
next_step_required=True,
is_step_revision=True,
revises_step_number=2,
continuation_id=result["continuation_id"]
)
Planning Structure
Step 1: Define Task & Scope
python
step="""
Task: [What needs to be done]
Scope:
- [Requirement 1]
- [Requirement 2]
Constraints:
- [Timeline, resources, etc.]
Success Criteria:
- [How we know it's done]
"""
Subsequent Steps
python
step="""
Phase 2: [Phase Name]
Tasks:
1. [Specific task]
2. [Specific task]
Dependencies:
- Requires: [Previous phase]
- Blocks: [Next phase]
Risks:
- [Potential issues]
"""
Example: Migration Planning
python
# Step 1: Define migration
mcp__pal__planner(
step="""
Task: Migrate from PostgreSQL to MongoDB
Scope:
- User data (500K records)
- Order history (2M records)
- Product catalog (50K records)
Constraints:
- Maximum 4 hours downtime
- Must maintain data integrity
- Rollback capability required
""",
step_number=1,
total_steps=6,
next_step_required=True
)
# Step 2: Data mapping
mcp__pal__planner(
step="""
Phase 2: Schema Mapping
Transformations:
- users table → users collection (denormalize addresses)
- orders table → orders collection (embed line items)
- products table → products collection (embed categories)
Challenges:
- Many-to-many relationships need restructuring
- Foreign keys → document references
""",
step_number=2,
total_steps=6,
next_step_required=True,
continuation_id=result["continuation_id"]
)
Best Practices
- Start with scope - Clear boundaries prevent scope creep
- Identify dependencies - Know what blocks what
- Plan for rollback - Every step should be reversible
- Use branches - Explore alternatives before committing
- Revise freely - Plans should evolve with understanding
- Include risks - Anticipate what could go wrong
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