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name: plan-writing description: "Structured task planning with clear breakdowns, dependencies, and verification criteria. Use when implementing features, refactoring, or any multi-step work." risk: unknown source: community date_added: "2026-02-27"

Plan Writing

Source: obra/superpowers

Overview

This skill provides a framework for breaking down work into clear, actionable tasks with verification criteria.

Task Breakdown Principles

1. Small, Focused Tasks

• Each task should take 2-5 minutes
• One clear outcome per task
• Independently verifiable

2. Clear Verification

• How do you know it's done?
• What can you check/test?
• What's the expected output?

3. Logical Ordering

• Dependencies identified
• Parallel work where possible
• Critical path highlighted
• Phase X: Verification is always LAST

4. Dynamic Naming in Project Root

• Plan files are saved as {task-slug}.md in the PROJECT ROOT
• Name derived from task (e.g., "add auth" → auth-feature.md)
• NEVER inside .claude/, docs/, or temp folders

Planning Principles (NOT Templates!)

🔴 NO fixed templates. Each plan is UNIQUE to the task.

Principle 1: Keep It SHORT

| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Right | |----------|----------| | 50 tasks with sub-sub-tasks | 5-10 clear tasks max | | Every micro-step listed | Only actionable items | | Verbose descriptions | One-line per task |

Rule: If plan is longer than 1 page, it's too long. Simplify.

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Principle 2: Be SPECIFIC, Not Generic

| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Right | |----------|----------| | "Set up project" | "Run npx create-next-app" | | "Add authentication" | "Install next-auth, create /api/auth/[...nextauth].ts" | | "Style the UI" | "Add Tailwind classes to Header.tsx" |

Rule: Each task should have a clear, verifiable outcome.

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Principle 3: Dynamic Content Based on Project Type

For NEW PROJECT:

• What tech stack? (decide first)
• What's the MVP? (minimal features)
• What's the file structure?

For FEATURE ADDITION:

• Which files are affected?
• What dependencies needed?
• How to verify it works?

For BUG FIX:

• What's the root cause?
• What file/line to change?
• How to test the fix?

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Principle 4: Scripts Are Project-Specific

🔴 DO NOT copy-paste script commands. Choose based on project type.

| Project Type | Relevant Scripts | |--------------|------------------| | Frontend/React | ux_audit.py, accessibility_checker.py | | Backend/API | api_validator.py, security_scan.py | | Mobile | mobile_audit.py | | Database | schema_validator.py | | Full-stack | Mix of above based on what you touched |

Wrong: Adding all scripts to every plan Right: Only scripts relevant to THIS task

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Principle 5: Verification is Simple

| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Right | |----------|----------| | "Verify the component works correctly" | "Run npm run dev, click button, see toast" | | "Test the API" | "curl localhost:3000/api/users returns 200" | | "Check styles" | "Open browser, verify dark mode toggle works" |

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Plan Structure (Flexible, Not Fixed!)

# [Task Name]

## Goal
One sentence: What are we building/fixing?

## Tasks
- [ ] Task 1: [Specific action] → Verify: [How to check]
- [ ] Task 2: [Specific action] → Verify: [How to check]
- [ ] Task 3: [Specific action] → Verify: [How to check]

## Done When
- [ ] [Main success criteria]

That's it. No phases, no sub-sections unless truly needed. Keep it minimal. Add complexity only when required.

Notes

[Any important considerations]

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## Best Practices (Quick Reference)

1. **Start with goal** - What are we building/fixing?
2. **Max 10 tasks** - If more, break into multiple plans
3. **Each task verifiable** - Clear "done" criteria
4. **Project-specific** - No copy-paste templates
5. **Update as you go** - Mark `[x]` when complete

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## When to Use
- New project from scratch
- Adding a feature
- Fixing a bug (if complex)
- Refactoring multiple files

## Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.