EX

executing-plans

Executes complex development plans step-by-step with integrated verification and review stages.

Install

mkdir -p .claude/skills/executing-plans && curl -L -o skill.zip "https://agentskills.codes/api/skills/download/581" && unzip -o skill.zip -d .claude/skills/executing-plans && rm skill.zip

Installs to .claude/skills/executing-plans

Activation

This is the description your AI agent reads to decide when to run this skill — the better it matches your request, the more reliably it fires.

Use when you have a written implementation plan to execute in a separate session with review checkpoints
104 chars✓ has a “when” trigger
Intermediate

Key capabilities

  • Load and review implementation plans
  • Execute tasks sequentially with verification
  • Pause for human review on blockers
  • Integrate with git worktrees
  • Complete development branches

How it works

The skill loads a plan, creates todos for each step, and enforces strict verification before marking tasks as complete. It requires human intervention if blockers arise or if the plan needs fundamental rethinking.

Inputs & outputs

You give it
Implementation plan file
You get back
Verified code changes on a development branch

When to use executing-plans

  • Execute a multi-stage refactoring plan
  • Implement a new feature from a detailed design
  • Perform a series of bug fixes sequentially
  • Manage complex codebase migrations

About this skill

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 (Claude Code, Codex CLI, Codex App, Copilot CLI, and Gemini CLI all qualify; see the per-platform tool refs in ../using-superpowers/references/). If subagents are available, use superpowers:subagent-driven-development instead of this skill.

The Process

Step 1: Load and Review Plan

  1. Ensure an isolated workspace: use superpowers:using-git-worktrees to create one or verify the existing one
  2. Read plan file
  3. Review critically - identify any questions or concerns about the plan
  4. If concerns: Raise them with your human partner before starting
  5. If no concerns: Create todos for the plan items 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

When not to use it

  • When subagent-driven development is available
  • Starting implementation on main branch without consent

Prerequisites

superpowers:using-git-worktreessuperpowers:writing-planssuperpowers:finishing-a-development-branch

Limitations

  • Requires human review for blockers
  • Cannot proceed if verification fails

How it compares

It enforces a structured, step-by-step execution with mandatory verification checkpoints rather than free-form coding.

Compared to similar skills

executing-plans side by side with the closest alternatives in the catalog.

SkillInstallsUpdatedSafetyDifficulty
executing-plans (this skill)63moNo flagsIntermediate
rein-go03moReviewAdvanced
long-task-workflow026dNo flagsAdvanced
trello412moReviewBeginner

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