executing-plans

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Use when you have an approved implementation plan document and need to execute it step by step. Triggers on /execute command, when transitioning from planning with an approved plan, or when resuming execution of a partially completed plan. Provides batch-based execution with TDD, checkpoint reviews, and verification gates.

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npx skill4agent add pixel-process-ug/superkit-agents executing-plans

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Executing Plans

Overview

This skill turns an approved plan document into working code through disciplined, batch-based execution. Each step is implemented with TDD, verified before proceeding, and reviewed at checkpoints. It provides the structural framework for moving from plan to production code with consistent quality gates.
Announce at start: "I'm using the executing-plans skill to implement the approved plan at [plan path]."

Trigger Conditions

  • An approved plan document exists and is ready for implementation
  • /execute
    command invoked with a plan reference
  • Resuming a partially completed plan execution
  • Transition from planning skill after plan approval

Phase 1: Read the Plan

Goal: Thoroughly understand the plan before writing any code.
  1. Read the entire plan document from start to finish
  2. Identify all implementation steps and count them
  3. Map dependencies between steps (what must be done first)
  4. Note any ambiguities or open questions
  5. Confirm understanding with the user before proceeding

Plan Comprehension Checklist

CheckQuestion
Goal clarityCan you explain the plan's goal in one sentence?
Step countHow many implementation steps are there?
DependenciesWhich steps depend on which?
AmbiguitiesAre there any unclear or underspecified steps?
VerificationDoes every step have a verification method?
STOP — Do NOT proceed to Phase 2 until:
  • You can explain the plan's goal in one sentence
  • You can list all implementation steps
  • Dependencies are mapped
  • Any ambiguities are noted and resolved with user
  • User has confirmed you may proceed

Phase 2: Create Task Batch

Goal: Break the plan into small, executable task batches.

Batch Size Decision Table

Task ComplexityBatch SizeExamples
Simple (config, boilerplate)Up to 5 tasksENV vars, imports, type definitions
Standard (features, logic)3 tasksEndpoints, services, components
Complex (integrations, security)2 tasksOAuth flows, payment processing
Critical (data migration, auth)1 taskDatabase migrations, credential handling

Task Requirements (STIC)

CriterionDescription
SpecificClear definition of what to implement
TestableCan be verified with automated tests
IndependentMinimal coupling to other tasks in the batch (where possible)
CompactCompletable in a focused session (2-5 minutes)

Task Template

Task: [concise description]
Plan Step: [reference to plan section]
Files to Create/Modify: [list of exact file paths]
Acceptance Criteria:
  - [specific, testable criterion 1]
  - [specific, testable criterion 2]
Dependencies: [other tasks that must be done first, or "none"]
Verification: [exact command to run]
STOP — Do NOT proceed to Phase 3 until:
  • Tasks created for the current batch
  • Each task has clear acceptance criteria
  • Dependencies are satisfied (previous tasks complete)
  • Tasks ordered by dependency (independent tasks first)

Phase 3: Execute Tasks

Goal: Execute each task one at a time using TDD.

Per-Task Workflow

1. ANNOUNCE which task you are starting
2. IMPLEMENT using test-driven-development skill:
   a. Write failing test (RED)
   b. Write minimal code to pass (GREEN)
   c. Refactor (REFACTOR)
   d. Repeat RED-GREEN-REFACTOR for each behavior
3. VERIFY using verification-before-completion skill:
   a. Run full test suite (not just new tests)
   b. Run lint, type-check, build as applicable
   c. Confirm all checks pass
4. MARK task as complete
5. PROCEED to next task

Execution Rules

RuleRationale
One task at a timeDo not start task 2 until task 1 is verified
Follow TDD strictlyNo production code without a failing test
Do not deviate from the planIf plan needs changes, stop and discuss with user
Do not skip verificationEvery task must pass verification before marking complete
Report progressAnnounce start and completion of each task

Task Outcome Decision Table

OutcomeActionNext Step
Verification passesMark completeNext task
Test failure, obvious fixFix and re-verifySame task
Test failure, unclear causeInvoke
systematic-debugging
Same task after fix
Plan step is ambiguousStop and ask userWait for clarification
Plan step is not feasibleReport blockerWait for direction
Unexpected dependency foundReport and reorderAdjust batch
STOP — Do NOT proceed to next task until:
  • Current task's acceptance criteria are met
  • All tests pass (new and existing)
  • Verification-before-completion has been executed
  • Task marked as complete

Phase 4: Batch Checkpoint

Goal: After completing all tasks in a batch, perform a full checkpoint review.

Checkpoint Steps

  1. Run full test suite — all tests, not just those from the current batch
  2. Run all verification commands — lint, type-check, build, format
  3. Review what was implemented — summarize completed tasks and outcomes
  4. Assess progress against the plan — how far through are we?
  5. Identify any issues or risks that came up during execution
  6. Report to user and ask for direction

Checkpoint Report Template

BATCH CHECKPOINT
================
Batch: [N] of [estimated total]
Tasks Completed: [list]

Verification Results:
  Tests:      [X passed, Y failed, Z skipped]
  Build:      [pass/fail]
  Lint:       [pass/fail, N warnings]
  Type-check: [pass/fail]

Progress: [N of M plan steps complete] ([percentage]%)

Issues Encountered:
  - [issue 1 and how it was resolved]

Risks or Concerns:
  - [risk 1]

Next Batch Preview:
  - [task 1]
  - [task 2]
  - [task 3]

Awaiting direction: Continue with next batch / Adjust plan / Other?
STOP — Do NOT proceed to next batch until:
  • Full test suite passes
  • All verification commands pass
  • Checkpoint report presented to user
  • User has confirmed to continue

Phase 5: Continue, Adjust, or Complete

Goal: Act on user direction after each checkpoint.

Direction Decision Table

User DirectionActionNext Phase
"Continue"Create next batch of tasksPhase 2
"Adjust plan"Discuss changes, update plan documentPhase 2 (with updated plan)
"Stop here"Summarize progress, note remaining workCompletion
"Skip ahead to [step]"Verify dependencies are met, then jumpPhase 2 (at new step)
"Go back and redo [task]"Revert if needed, re-execute with correctionsPhase 3
Never proceed to the next batch without explicit user approval.

Critical Blocker Handling

When you encounter something that prevents task completion, do NOT work around it. Stop and escalate.

Blocker Classification

TypeExamplesAction
Ambiguous specPlan step could mean multiple thingsPresent interpretations, ask user
Missing dependencyRequired API or library unavailableReport with alternatives
ContradictionStep conflicts with another part of the planIdentify both sides, ask user
Security concernPlanned approach has vulnerabilityReport risk, propose safer alternative
FeasibilityStep cannot be implemented as describedExplain why, propose alternatives

Blocker Report Format

CRITICAL BLOCKER
================
Task: [which task is blocked]
Blocker: [clear description of the problem]
Impact: [what cannot proceed until this is resolved]
Options:
  A. [option with tradeoffs]
  B. [option with tradeoffs]
  C. [skip this step and continue]

Awaiting direction before proceeding.
Do NOT guess what the user intended. Do NOT implement a workaround without approval. Do NOT skip the blocked task silently. DO present options with clear tradeoffs. DO continue with non-blocked tasks if possible (but flag the skip).

Subagent Dispatch Option

For larger plans, individual tasks can be dispatched to subagents for parallel execution.

When to Suggest Subagent Dispatch

ConditionThreshold
Independent tasks in plan10+ tasks with few dependencies
Task specification qualityEach task has clear acceptance criteria
Speed requirementUser has indicated urgency
Task interdependencyLow coupling between tasks
When conditions are met, suggest switching to the
subagent-driven-development
skill for the remaining work.

Anti-Patterns / Common Mistakes

Anti-PatternWhy It FailsCorrect Approach
Implementing entire plan at onceNo checkpoints, no quality gatesBatch-based execution with checkpoints
Skipping TDD because "it's simple"Bugs accumulate, regressions appearEvery task uses TDD, no exceptions
Working around blockers silentlyUser unaware, wrong assumptions baked inStop and escalate blockers
Proceeding without approval after batchDirection may have changedAlways checkpoint and wait
Deviating from the planUnauthorized changes, scope creepDiscuss changes before implementing
Running only new testsRegressions go undetectedFull test suite at checkpoints
Marking tasks complete without verificationFalse progress, accumulated bugsVerification is mandatory
Batches larger than 5 tasksHard to review, too much risk per batchKeep batches small
Skipping checkpoint reportUser loses visibility into progressAlways present full checkpoint
Not committing at batch boundariesHuge diffs, hard to revertCommit after each batch

Anti-Rationalization Guards

<HARD-GATE> Do NOT skip any verification step. Do NOT proceed past a checkpoint without user approval. Do NOT deviate from the approved plan without discussion. </HARD-GATE>
If you catch yourself thinking:
  • "I know what comes next, I'll skip the checkpoint..." — No. Report and wait.
  • "This verification is redundant..." — Run it anyway. Fresh evidence only.
  • "The plan is close enough, I'll adjust as I go..." — Discuss adjustments first.

Subagent Dispatch Opportunities

Task PatternDispatch ToWhen
Independent plan steps with no shared stateParallel subagents via
Agent
tool
When dependency analysis shows no blockers between steps
Code review of completed step
code-reviewer
agent
After each major plan step completion
Test execution for completed featuresBackground
Bash
task
When tests can run independently of ongoing work
Follow the
dispatching-parallel-agents
skill protocol when dispatching.

Integration Points

SkillRelationshipWhen
planning
Upstream — provides approved plan documentPlan is the input to this skill
test-driven-development
Per-task — TDD cycle for every code taskPhase 3 execution
verification-before-completion
Per-task — verification gateBefore marking any task complete
systematic-debugging
On failure — investigate unexpected failuresWhen task encounters errors
code-review
At checkpoints — review code qualityPhase 4 batch review
subagent-driven-development
Alternative — parallel execution pathFor large independent task sets
resilient-execution
On failure — retry with alternativesWhen task approaches fail
task-management
Complementary — provides task trackingCan be used together

Concrete Examples

Example: Batch Creation from Plan

Plan: "Add user authentication with JWT"
Batch 1 (3 tasks):
  Task 1: Write failing test for JWT token generation
    Files: tests/auth/jwt.test.ts
    Verification: npm test -- --grep "JWT generation" → FAIL (expected)

  Task 2: Implement JWT token generation
    Files: src/auth/jwt.ts
    Verification: npm test -- --grep "JWT generation" → PASS

  Task 3: Write failing test for auth middleware
    Files: tests/middleware/auth.test.ts
    Verification: npm test -- --grep "auth middleware" → FAIL (expected)

[CHECKPOINT after batch 1]

Batch 2 (3 tasks):
  Task 4: Implement auth middleware
  Task 5: Write failing test for login endpoint
  Task 6: Implement login endpoint

[CHECKPOINT after batch 2]

Completion Criteria

The plan execution is complete when:
  1. All plan steps have been implemented as tasks
  2. All tasks have passed verification
  3. Full test suite passes
  4. Final checkpoint report presented to user
  5. User confirms the plan is complete

Skill Type

RIGID — Follow this process exactly. Batches, checkpoints, and verification gates are non-negotiable. No task is complete without verification. No batch proceeds without user approval.