executing-plans

Use when you have a written implementation plan to execute in a separate session with review checkpoints

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Install skill "executing-plans" with this command: npx skills add pcvelz/superpowers/pcvelz-superpowers-executing-plans

CRITICAL CONSTRAINTS

You MUST NOT call EnterPlanMode or ExitPlanMode during this skill. This skill operates in normal mode, executing a plan that already exists on disk. Plan mode is unnecessary and dangerous here — it restricts Write/Edit tools needed for implementation.

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: Tell your human partner that Superpowers works much better with access to subagents. The quality of its work will be significantly higher if run on a platform with subagent support (such as Claude Code or Codex). If subagents are available, use superpowers-extended-cc:subagent-driven-development instead of this skill.

The Process

Step 0: Load Persisted Tasks

  1. Call TaskList to check for existing native tasks
  2. CRITICAL - Locate tasks file: Try <plan-path>.tasks.json, if not found glob for matching .tasks.json
  3. If tasks file exists AND native tasks empty: recreate from JSON using TaskCreate, restore blockedBy with TaskUpdate
  4. If native tasks exist: verify they match plan, resume from first pending/in_progress
  5. If neither: proceed to Step 1b to bootstrap from plan

Update .tasks.json after every task status change.

Step 0.5: Verify Workspace (Worktree Check)

Before calling using-git-worktrees, check if a worktree already exists:

  1. Run git worktree list to see all existing worktrees
  2. If a worktree for the plan's branch already exists: cd into it — do NOT create a new one
  3. If on main/master with no worktree: REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers-extended-cc:using-git-worktrees to create one

Step 1: Load and Review Plan

  1. Read plan file fully
  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: Proceed to task setup

Step 1b: Bootstrap Tasks from Plan (if needed)

If TaskList returned no tasks or tasks don't match plan:

  1. Parse the plan document for ## Task N: or ### Task N: headers
  2. For each task found, use TaskCreate with:
    • subject: The task title from the plan
    • description: Full task content including steps, files, acceptance criteria
    • activeForm: Present tense action (e.g., "Implementing X")
  3. CRITICAL - Dependencies: For EACH task that has blockedBy in the plan or .tasks.json:
    • Call TaskUpdate with taskId and addBlockedBy: [list-of-blocking-task-ids]
    • Do NOT skip this step - dependencies are essential for correct execution order
  4. Call TaskList and verify blockedBy relationships show correctly (e.g., "blocked by #1, #2")

Step 2: Execute Tasks

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
  5. Sync .tasks.json: Read the tasks file, update the task's "status" to "completed" (or "in_progress" in step 1), set "lastUpdated" to current ISO timestamp, write back. This keeps the persistence file in sync with native tasks for cross-session resume.

Step 3: Complete Development

After all tasks complete and verified:

  • Announce: "I'm using the finishing-a-development-branch skill to complete this work."
  • REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers-extended-cc: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 (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

Required workflow skills:

  • superpowers-extended-cc:using-git-worktrees - REQUIRED: Set up isolated workspace before starting
  • superpowers-extended-cc:writing-plans - Creates the plan this skill executes
  • superpowers-extended-cc:finishing-a-development-branch - Complete development after all tasks

Source Transparency

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