| name | planning-ios-implementation |
| description | Plan implementation, design an approach, or create an architecture plan for a Bitwarden iOS feature. Use when asked to "plan implementation", "design approach", "architecture plan", "how should I implement", "what files do I need", or to create a design doc before writing code. |
Planning iOS Implementation
Use this skill to design a complete implementation plan before writing code. Output is saved as a design document.
Prerequisites
- Requirements must be clear. If not, invoke
refining-ios-requirements first.
- Read
Docs/Architecture.md before proceeding — it is the authoritative source for all patterns.
Step 1: Classify the Change
Determine the change type to guide scope and planning depth:
| Type | Description | Typical Scope |
|---|
| New Feature | Entirely new functionality, screens, or flows | New files + modifications, multi-phase |
| Enhancement | Extending existing feature with new capabilities | Mostly modifications, 1-2 phases |
| Bug Fix | Correcting incorrect behavior | Targeted modifications, single phase |
| Refactoring | Restructuring without behavior change | Modifications only, migration-aware |
| Infrastructure | Build, CI, tooling, or dependency changes | Config files, minimal code changes |
State the classification and rationale before proceeding.
Step 2: Explore Existing Patterns
Search the codebase for similar existing implementations to follow:
- Find a similar existing feature in the same domain
- Identify which services/repositories it uses
- Note how its Coordinator, Processor, and View are structured
- Check if
BitwardenKit/UI/ has reusable components for the new UI
Step 3: List Files to Create/Modify
For each file, specify path, action (create/modify), domain placement, and purpose. Group by layer:
### New Files (Create)
#### Core Layer
- `BitwardenShared/Core/<Domain>/<Feature>/Services/<Feature>Service.swift`
- Protocol + Default<Feature>Service + Has<Feature>Service
#### UI Layer
- `BitwardenShared/UI/<Domain>/<Feature>/<Feature>Coordinator.swift`
- `BitwardenShared/UI/<Domain>/<Feature>/<Feature>Processor.swift`
- `BitwardenShared/UI/<Domain>/<Feature>/<Feature>State.swift`
- `BitwardenShared/UI/<Domain>/<Feature>/<Feature>Action.swift`
- `BitwardenShared/UI/<Domain>/<Feature>/<Feature>Effect.swift`
- `BitwardenShared/UI/<Domain>/<Feature>/<Feature>View.swift`
#### Tests (co-located with implementation)
- `BitwardenShared/UI/<Domain>/<Feature>/<Feature>ProcessorTests.swift`
- `BitwardenShared/Core/<Domain>/<Feature>/Services/<Feature>ServiceTests.swift`
### Modified Files
- `BitwardenShared/Core/Platform/Services/ServiceContainer.swift` — Add new service
- `<Existing>Coordinator.swift` — Add new route
Step 4: Dependency-Ordered Implementation Phases
Order phases so each builds on the previous:
### Phase 1: Data / Core Layer
Models, CoreData entities (if needed), service protocols, repository protocols
### Phase 2: Service/Repository Implementations
Default<Name>Service/Repository — business logic, SDK calls, network
### Phase 3: DI Wiring
ServiceContainer extensions, Has* protocol additions
### Phase 4: Processor + State
StateProcessor subclass, State struct, Action enum, Effect enum
### Phase 5: View + Coordinator
SwiftUI View with store.binding, Coordinator with routes, navigation wiring
### Phase 6: Tests
ProcessorTests (action/effect paths), ServiceTests (business logic), ViewTests (snapshots if UI)
Step 5: Risk Assessment
Identify risks and mitigations:
- Security: Does this touch vault data, auth tokens, or Keychain? → Security review required
- Extensions: Does this affect AutoFill/Action/Share extensions? → Memory limit check needed
- Multi-account: Does this need per-account isolation? → CoreData userId scoping
- SDK dependency: Does this require BitwardenSdk changes? → Coordinate with SDK team
Step 6: Save Design Document
Save the plan to .claude/outputs/plans/<ticket-id>.md.
Confirm Before Proceeding
Present the plan to the user and ask: "Here is the implementation plan. Should I proceed with implementation?"