| name | feature-plan |
| description | Start implementing a feature from the backlog with adaptive agent dispatch. Use when user wants to begin work on a backlog item, start implementation, or mentions a specific feature ID to work on. |
| user-invocable | true |
Implement Feature Command
You are executing the IMPLEMENT FEATURE workflow - a comprehensive feature kickoff process that ensures proper planning before any implementation begins.
First Step (Do This Now)
Scan the feature directories to generate a live dashboard:
python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/shared/lib/run_dashboard.py <project_root> --stdout
This scans docs/features/*/ to show all features by status. If it fails or docs/features/ doesn't exist, the project hasn't been set up for feature tracking yet.
Note: To start a feature, create docs/features/[id]/plan.md. The PostToolUse hook automatically updates the local DASHBOARD.md - do NOT edit it directly.
Contents
Feature Target
$ARGUMENTS
If no specific feature ID was provided above, you will help the user select from the backlog.
If $ARGUMENTS starts with cat:, filter the backlog to only show features matching that category (case-insensitive) and let the user select from the filtered list.
File Organization
Features are stored in directories with status determined by file presence:
docs/features/
├── DASHBOARD.md # Auto-generated, read-only for Claude
├── my-feature/
│ ├── idea.md # Problem statement + metadata (backlog)
│ ├── plan.md # Implementation plan (in-progress)
│ └── shipped.md # Completion notes (completed)
└── another-feature/
└── idea.md
Status Detection by File Presence
| Files Present | Status |
|---|
idea.md only | backlog |
idea.md + plan.md | in-progress |
idea.md + plan.md + shipped.md | completed |
Key Principles:
/feature-capture creates idea.md only (backlog status)
/feature-plan adds plan.md (changes to in-progress)
/feature-review-plan opens a draft PR for external plan review
/feature-review-impl submits implementation for external code review
/feature-ship adds shipped.md and merges the PR (changes to completed)
- DASHBOARD.md is auto-regenerated by hooks - never edit directly
Workflow Overview
This command orchestrates a 6-phase workflow:
| Phase | Name | Purpose |
|---|
| 1 | Feature Selection | Choose from backlog or validate provided ID |
| 2 | Requirements Analysis | Deep dive with project-manager agent |
| 3 | System Design | Architecture planning (adaptive based on feature type) |
| 4 | Implementation Plan | Create detailed plan document |
| 5 | Write plan.md | Write plan.md to transition to in-progress |
| 6 | Kickoff Summary | Create todos and provide clear next steps |
Phase Details
Phase 1: Feature Selection
See: selection.md
- Run
run_dashboard.py --stdout and find/select feature from Backlog section
- Read the feature's
idea.md for full details
- Verify feature is in backlog status (no plan.md exists yet)
- Handle already-in-progress features with user options
State Guard
After reading idea.md, check the state: field:
| State | Action |
|---|
active (or absent) | Proceed normally |
paused | Stop. Tell the user: "<id> is paused (waiting on: <pausedReason>). Resume with /feature-state <id> active before planning." |
replaced | Stop. Tell the user: "<id> was replaced by <replacedBy>. Plan that one instead, or /feature-state <id> active to revive." |
abandoned | Stop. Tell the user: "<id> was abandoned (<abandonedReason>). /feature-state <id> active to revive." |
In all stop cases, do NOT create a plan.md.
Phase 2: Requirements Deep Dive
See: requirements.md
- Read idea.md for problem statement and context
- Optional: Run code-archaeologist for legacy code
- Run project-manager agent for requirements analysis
- Effort-based scaling (Small/Medium/Large)
Phase 3: System Design (Adaptive)
See: design.md
- Classify feature type (Backend/Frontend/Full-Stack/Infrastructure)
- Dispatch appropriate specialized agents
- Save design documents to feature directory
| Feature Type | Agents Used |
|---|
| Backend-Only | api-designer |
| Frontend-Only | ux-optimizer + frontend-architect |
| Full-Stack | api-designer + frontend-architect + integration-designer |
| UI-Heavy | ux-optimizer → then full-stack agents |
| Infrastructure | system-designer |
Phases 4-6: Implementation & Kickoff
See: implementation.md
plan.md Format
Write plan.md with YAML frontmatter followed by content:
---
started: YYYY-MM-DD
---
# Implementation Plan: [Feature Name]
## Overview
Brief summary of what will be implemented...
## Implementation Steps
- [ ] Step 1: Description
- [ ] Step 2: Description
- [ ] Step 3: Description
## Technical Decisions
Key architectural choices made during design...
## Testing Strategy
How this feature will be tested...
## Risks & Mitigations
Any identified risks and how they'll be addressed...
Next Steps After Planning
The end-to-end workflow is:
/feature-capture → /feature-plan → /feature-review-plan → /feature-implement → /feature-review-impl → /feature-ship
The immediate next step after planning:
/feature-review-plan [feature-id] — create a feature branch, open a draft PR, submit the plan for external review (Gemini/Codex)
/feature-review-plan [feature-id] --respond — address plan review feedback (repeat as needed)
/feature-implement [feature-id] — write code following the approved plan
/feature-review-impl [feature-id] — submit implementation for external code review
/feature-review-impl [feature-id] --respond — address code review feedback (repeat as needed)
/feature-ship [feature-id] — write shipped.md, merge the PR into dev, clean up the branch
Do NOT skip review steps. /feature-review-plan gets the plan reviewed before coding. /feature-review-impl gets the code reviewed before shipping.
Error Handling
| Error | Resolution |
|---|
| DASHBOARD.md not found | Create it with generate-dashboard.sh |
| Feature not found | List available items, ask to select |
| Agent errors | Retry with more context or continue without that design phase |
| Directory missing | Create docs/features/ if needed |
| Already in progress | Ask if user wants to continue existing work |
Philosophy: "Never Code Without a Plan"
By completing these 6 phases, you ensure:
- Requirements are clearly understood
- Architecture is properly designed
- Implementation is broken into manageable steps
- Documentation will stay current
- Testing is considered upfront
- Risks are identified and mitigated
Let's get started!