Source: Ported from obra/superpowers -- skills/executing-plans

Executing Plans

Overview

Load plan, review critically, execute all tasks, report when complete.

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

Note: This skill works best on platforms with subagent support (such as Claude Code or Codex). When subagents are available, prefer dispatching a fresh subagent per task for higher quality results.

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 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: Complete Development

After all tasks complete and verified:

• Verify all tests pass

• Present summary of what was built

• Offer options: merge to main, create PR, or clean up branch (squash commits, update docs)

When to Stop and Ask for Help

STOP executing immediately when:

• Hit a blocker (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

• Stop when blocked, don't guess

• Never start implementation on main/master branch without explicit user consent

Integration

Related skills and practices:

• ai-tooling:writing-plans - Creates the plan this skill executes

• Use a git worktree or dedicated branch to isolate work before starting

• After completion: verify tests pass, then merge, create PR, or clean up branch