superpowers-workflow

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name: superpowers-workflow description: Enforces a disciplined workflow for coding, debugging, refactoring, and automation: brainstorm -> plan -> implement with verification (prefer TDD) -> review -> finish. Use for almost any non-trivial change.

Superpowers Workflow

This skill defines the default operating procedure for software and automation tasks.

When to use this skill

Use whenever the user asks to:

• build or modify code
• debug an error or failing tests
• refactor or improve quality
• design an automation workflow (e.g., API integrations, ETL, pipelines)
• add tests, reliability, or safety checks

Activation marker (required)

Immediately after reading this skill (before any other output), run:

python .agent/skills/superpowers-workflow/scripts/record_activation.py --skill superpowers-workflow

Default workflow (mandatory unless explicitly unnecessary)

1. Brainstorm (short): clarify goal, constraints, risks, and acceptance criteria.
2. Write a plan: small steps (2–10 minutes each) with files + verification.
3. Implement: make the smallest correct change; prefer tests-first when feasible.
4. Review pass: correctness, edge cases, security, style, maintainability.
5. Finish: run verification commands, summarize changes + next steps.

Decision tree: how much process is needed?

• Tiny change (1 file, obvious):
  • Do a mini-brainstorm (3 bullets), then mini-plan (3–5 steps), then implement + verify.
• Non-trivial change:
  • Full brainstorm + plan before editing.
• High-risk change (auth, money, prod data, security, migrations):
  • Add explicit risk controls: rollback plan, dry-run, extra tests, logging, safe defaults.

Output rules (how you communicate)

• Always state assumptions if anything is ambiguous.
• Always include verification (commands, tests, or observable checks).
• If you must ask questions, ask at most 3; then proceed with best assumptions.

Stop conditions

Pause implementation and switch to planning if:

• requirements conflict
• critical unknowns block correctness
• the change could cause data loss or security issues without safeguards