Executing Plans

Overview

Execute implementation plans by dispatching fresh builder agents per task, with two-stage review after each: spec compliance review first, then code quality review. Can also run as batch execution with human checkpoints.

Core principle: Fresh agent per task + two-stage review (spec then quality) = high quality, fast iteration.

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

When to Use

digraph when_to_use {
    "Have implementation plan?" [shape=diamond];
    "Tasks mostly independent?" [shape=diamond];
    "Stay in this session?" [shape=diamond];
    "Agent-driven execution" [shape=box];
    "Batch execution with checkpoints" [shape=box];
    "Manual execution or brainstorm first" [shape=box];

    "Have implementation plan?" -> "Tasks mostly independent?" [label="yes"];
    "Have implementation plan?" -> "Manual execution or brainstorm first" [label="no"];
    "Tasks mostly independent?" -> "Stay in this session?" [label="yes"];
    "Tasks mostly independent?" -> "Manual execution or brainstorm first" [label="no - tightly coupled"];
    "Stay in this session?" -> "Agent-driven execution" [label="yes"];
    "Stay in this session?" -> "Batch execution with checkpoints" [label="no - parallel session"];
}

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

Agent-Driven Mode (preferred):

For each task, dispatch a fresh builder agent:

digraph process {
    rankdir=TB;

    subgraph cluster_per_task {
        label="Per Task";
        "Dispatch builder agent" [shape=box];
        "Builder asks questions?" [shape=diamond];
        "Answer questions, provide context" [shape=box];
        "Builder implements, tests, commits, self-reviews" [shape=box];
        "Dispatch spec reviewer agent" [shape=box];
        "Spec reviewer confirms code matches spec?" [shape=diamond];
        "Builder fixes spec gaps" [shape=box];
        "Dispatch code quality reviewer agent" [shape=box];
        "Code quality reviewer approves?" [shape=diamond];
        "Builder fixes quality issues" [shape=box];
        "Mark task complete" [shape=box];
    }

    "Read plan, extract all tasks, create TodoWrite" [shape=box];
    "More tasks remain?" [shape=diamond];
    "Dispatch final reviewer for entire implementation" [shape=box];
    "Use shipyard:git-workflow to complete" [shape=box style=filled fillcolor=lightgreen];

    "Read plan, extract all tasks, create TodoWrite" -> "Dispatch builder agent";
    "Dispatch builder agent" -> "Builder asks questions?";
    "Builder asks questions?" -> "Answer questions, provide context" [label="yes"];
    "Answer questions, provide context" -> "Dispatch builder agent";
    "Builder asks questions?" -> "Builder implements, tests, commits, self-reviews" [label="no"];
    "Builder implements, tests, commits, self-reviews" -> "Dispatch spec reviewer agent";
    "Dispatch spec reviewer agent" -> "Spec reviewer confirms code matches spec?";
    "Spec reviewer confirms code matches spec?" -> "Builder fixes spec gaps" [label="no"];
    "Builder fixes spec gaps" -> "Dispatch spec reviewer agent" [label="re-review"];
    "Spec reviewer confirms code matches spec?" -> "Dispatch code quality reviewer agent" [label="yes"];
    "Dispatch code quality reviewer agent" -> "Code quality reviewer approves?";
    "Code quality reviewer approves?" -> "Builder fixes quality issues" [label="no"];
    "Builder fixes quality issues" -> "Dispatch code quality reviewer agent" [label="re-review"];
    "Code quality reviewer approves?" -> "Mark task complete" [label="yes"];
    "Mark task complete" -> "More tasks remain?";
    "More tasks remain?" -> "Dispatch builder agent" [label="yes"];
    "More tasks remain?" -> "Dispatch final reviewer for entire implementation" [label="no"];
    "Dispatch final reviewer for entire implementation" -> "Use shipyard:git-workflow to complete";
}

Batch Mode (separate session):

Default: First 3 tasks per batch.

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

When batch complete:

• Show what was implemented
• Show verification output
• Say: "Ready for feedback."

Based on feedback:

• Apply changes if needed
• Execute next batch
• Repeat until complete

Two-Stage Review Pattern

Stage 1: Spec Compliance Review

• Does the code match the plan's specification?
• Are all requirements met?
• Is there anything extra that wasn't requested?
• Are verification criteria satisfied?

Stage 2: Code Quality Review

• Is the code well-structured?
• Are there any bugs or edge cases missed?
• Is naming clear and consistent?
• Are tests comprehensive?

IMPORTANT: Always complete spec compliance before code quality. Wrong order wastes time reviewing quality of code that doesn't meet spec.

Step 3: Complete Development

After all tasks complete and verified:

• Announce: "I'm using the git-workflow skill to complete this work."
• REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use shipyard:git-workflow
• 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.

Builder Agent Guidelines

Builder agents should:

• Follow TDD naturally (shipyard:shipyard-tdd)
• Ask questions before AND during work if unclear
• Self-review before handing off to reviewers
• Commit after each task

Red Flags

Never:

• Skip reviews (spec compliance OR code quality)
• Proceed with unfixed issues
• Dispatch multiple builder agents in parallel (conflicts)
• Make agent read plan file (provide full text instead)
• Skip scene-setting context (agent needs to understand where task fits)
• Ignore agent questions (answer before letting them proceed)
• Accept "close enough" on spec compliance
• Skip review loops (reviewer found issues = builder fixes = review again)
• Let builder self-review replace actual review (both are needed)
• Start code quality review before spec compliance is approved (wrong order)
• Move to next task while either review has open issues

If builder asks questions:

• Answer clearly and completely
• Provide additional context if needed
• Don't rush them into implementation

If reviewer finds issues:

• Builder (same agent) fixes them
• Reviewer reviews again
• Repeat until approved
• Don't skip the re-review

If agent fails task:

• Dispatch fix agent with specific instructions
• Don't try to fix manually (context pollution)

Integration

Required workflow skills:

• shipyard:shipyard-writing-plans - Creates the plan this skill executes
• shipyard:git-workflow - Complete development after all tasks

Agents should use:

• shipyard:shipyard-tdd - Agents follow TDD for each task

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