Executing Plans
Use when you have a written implementation plan to execute in a separate session with review checkpoints
Install
Quick install
npx skills add https://github.com/obra/superpowers/tree/main/skills/executing-plansnpx skills add obra/superpowers --skill executing-plans --agent claude-codenpx skills add obra/superpowers --skill executing-plans --agent cursornpx skills add obra/superpowers --skill executing-plans --agent codexnpx skills add obra/superpowers --skill executing-plans --agent opencodenpx skills add obra/superpowers --skill executing-plans --agent github-copilotnpx skills add obra/superpowers --skill executing-plans --agent windsurfMore install options
Shorthand — useful for multi-skill repos:
npx skills add obra/superpowers --skill executing-plansManual — clone the repo and drop the folder into your agent's skills directory:
git clone https://github.com/obra/superpowers.gitcp -r superpowers/skills/executing-plans ~/.claude/skills/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: Tell your human partner that Superpowers works much better with access to subagents. The quality of its work will be significantly higher if run on a platform with subagent support (such as Claude Code or Codex). If subagents are available, use superpowers:subagent-driven-development instead of this skill.
The Process
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 superpowers: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:
- superpowers:using-git-worktrees - Ensures isolated workspace (creates one or verifies existing)
- superpowers:writing-plans - Creates the plan this skill executes
- superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch - Complete development after all tasks
SKILL.md source
--- name: executing-plans description: Use when you have a written implementation plan to execute in a separate session with review checkpoints --- # 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:** Tell your human partner that Superpowers works much better with access to subagents. The quality of its work will be significantly higher if run on a platform with subagent support (such as Claude Code or Codex). If subagents are available, use superpowers:subagent-driven-development instead of this skill. ## The Process ### Step 1: Load and Review Plan 1. Read plan file 2. Review critically - identify any questions or concerns about the plan 3. If concerns: Raise them with your human partner before starting 4. If no concerns: Create TodoWrite and proceed ### Step 2: Execute Tasks For each task: 1. Mark as in_progress 2. Follow each step exactly (plan has bite-sized steps) 3. Run verifications as specified 4. 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 superpowers: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:** - **superpowers:using-git-worktrees** - Ensures isolated workspace (creates one or verifies existing) - **superpowers:writing-plans** - Creates the plan this skill executes - **superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch** - Complete development after all tasks
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