Create Plan

When to Use

• The user explicitly requests a plan for a coding task (feature, bug fix, refactor) before implementation begins.
• You need to organize work into ordered checklist items, including discovery, changes, tests, and rollout.
• The work benefits from a short, structured plan that can be reviewed and approved before coding.

When NOT to Use

• The request is already being implemented or no plan is needed (e.g., simple bugfix or documentation edit).
• You’re in the middle of executing a plan and should focus on executing (use executing-plans).
• The task is exploratory, open-ended, or research-heavy without a concrete implementation path.

Goal

Turn a user prompt into a single, actionable plan delivered in the final assistant message.

Minimal workflow

Throughout the entire workflow, operate in read-only mode. Do not write or update files.

1. Scan context quickly

   • Read README.md and any obvious docs (docs/, CONTRIBUTING.md, ARCHITECTURE.md).
   • Skim relevant files (the ones most likely touched).
   • Identify constraints (language, frameworks, CI/test commands, deployment shape).

2. Ask follow-ups only if blocking

   • Ask at most 1–2 questions.
   • Only ask if you cannot responsibly plan without the answer; prefer multiple-choice.
   • If unsure but not blocked, make a reasonable assumption and proceed.

3. Create a plan using the template below

   • Start with 1 short paragraph describing the intent and approach.
   • Clearly call out what is in scope and what is not in scope in short.
   • Then provide a small checklist of action items (default 6–10 items).
     • Each checklist item should be a concrete action and, when helpful, mention files/commands.
     • Make items atomic and ordered: discovery → changes → tests → rollout.
     • Verb-first: “Add…”, “Refactor…”, “Verify…”, “Ship…”.
   • Include at least one item for tests/validation and one for edge cases/risk when applicable.
   • If there are unknowns, include a tiny Open questions section (max 3).

4. Do not preface the plan with meta explanations; output only the plan as per template

Plan template (follow exactly)

# Plan

<1–3 sentences: what we’re doing, why, and the high-level approach.>

## Scope
- In:
- Out:

## Action items
[ ] <Step 1>
[ ] <Step 2>
[ ] <Step 3>
[ ] <Step 4>
[ ] <Step 5>
[ ] <Step 6>

## Open questions
- <Question 1>
- <Question 2>
- <Question 3>

Checklist item guidance

Good checklist items:

• Point to likely files/modules: src/…, app/…, services/…
• Name concrete validation: “Run npm test”, “Add unit tests for X”
• Include safe rollout when relevant: feature flag, migration plan, rollback note

Avoid:

• Vague steps (“handle backend”, “do auth”)
• Too many micro-steps
• Writing code snippets (keep the plan implementation-agnostic)