| name | executing-plans |
| description | Use when you have a written implementation plan to execute in a separate session with review checkpoints |
| hooks | {"PreToolUse":[{"matcher":"Write|Edit|Bash","hooks":[{"type":"command","command":"R=$(dirname \"$(git rev-parse --git-common-dir 2>/dev/null)\" 2>/dev/null); f=$(ls \"$R\"/design/{todo,backlog}-*-plan-*.md 2>/dev/null | head -1); [ -f \"$f\" ] && head -30 \"$f\"; true"}]}],"Stop":[{"hooks":[{"type":"command","command":"R=$(dirname \"$(git rev-parse --git-common-dir 2>/dev/null)\" 2>/dev/null); f=$(ls \"$R\"/design/{todo,backlog}-*-plan-*.md 2>/dev/null | head -1); [ -f \"$f\" ] && { DONE=$(grep -c \"^- \\[x\\]\" \"$f\" || echo 0); TODO=$(grep -c \"^- \\[ \\]\" \"$f\" || echo 0); echo \"[executing-plans] $DONE steps done, $TODO remaining.\"; [ \"$TODO\" -gt 0 ] && echo \"[executing-plans] Open tasks remain — verify completion before stopping.\"; }; true"}]}]} |
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: If subagents are available, prefer subagent-driven-development for faster iteration. Use this skill when you explicitly want inline or batched execution in one session.
Workflow Conventions
- User's explicit instructions override defaults in this skill.
- Track task state in Todo tracking throughout execution.
- If debugging is required mid-task, switch to
systematic-debugging before proposing fixes.
- Use direct skill names in handoffs (no
superpowers: prefixes).
Attention Management
This skill defines hooks that mechanically prevent goal drift during long execution sessions:
- PreToolUse (Write|Edit|Bash) resurfaces the first 30 lines of the active plan before each tool call, keeping the goal and current task in the attention window
- Stop counts completed vs remaining checkboxes and warns if tasks are still open
These hooks find plan files in the primary checkout's design/ directory automatically, including from worktrees.
The Process
Step 0: Session Recovery (Reboot Test)
If resuming plan execution after /clear, a new session, or context compression, answer these five questions before continuing:
| Question | Source |
|---|
| Where am I? | Current task checkbox in plan file |
| Where am I going? | Remaining unchecked tasks |
| What's the goal? | Plan header **Goal:** line |
| What have I learned? | git log + any findings from prior work |
| What have I done? | git diff main...HEAD --stat |
If you can answer all five, proceed from the current task. If not, re-read the plan file and git history until you can.
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:
- Announce: "I'm using the finishing-a-development-branch skill to complete this work."
- REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use 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:
- using-git-worktrees - REQUIRED: Set up isolated workspace before starting
- plan-writing - Creates the plan this skill executes
- finishing-a-development-branch - Complete development after all tasks