Executing Plans (OpenSpec Integration)

Overview

Load plan from OpenSpec change directory, review critically, execute tasks in batches, report for review between batches.

Core principle: Batch execution with checkpoints for architect review.

Announce at start: "I'm using openspec-executing-plans to implement this plan."

The Process

Step 1: Load and Review Plan

Read from OpenSpec (instead of docs/plans/):

Find the active change

openspec list --json

Read the plan

cat openspec/changes/<name>/plan.md

Also read specs for reference

ls openspec/changes/<name>/specs/

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 Batch

Default: First 3 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: Report

When batch complete:

• Show what was implemented

• Show verification output

• Say: "Ready for feedback."

Step 4: Continue

Based on feedback:

• Apply changes if needed

• Execute next batch

• Repeat until complete

Step 5: Complete Development

After all tasks complete and verified:

• Announce: "I'm using openspec-finishing-branch to complete this work."

• REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use openspec-finishing-branch

• Follow that skill to verify tests, present options, execute choice, archive

When to Stop and Ask for Help

STOP executing immediately when:

• Hit a blocker mid-batch

• Plan has critical gaps

• You don't understand an instruction

• Verification fails repeatedly

Ask for clarification rather than guessing.

Remember

• Review plan critically first

• Follow plan steps exactly

• Don't skip verifications

• Between batches: just report and wait

• Stop when blocked, don't guess