Executing Plans

Overview

Load plan, 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 the executing-plans skill to implement this plan."

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 Batch

Default: First 3 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: 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 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 mid-batch (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
• Between batches: just report and wait
• 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 - REQUIRED: Set up isolated workspace before starting
• superpowers:writing-plans - Creates the plan this skill executes
• superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch - Complete development after all tasks

Superplanner Memory Integration (Unified Extension)

CRITICAL THEMATIC RULE: You are working inside the superpower-with-files unified framework.

Workflow Standardization

1. Skill Announcement: Every time you start using this skill, you MUST first announce: 🚀 **SUPERPOWER ACTIVE:** spf-exec-plan
2. Context Independence: Work in any project root as requested by the user. No dedicated worktree required.

STRICT EXECUTION ONLY

1. Execution Only: Your sole responsibility is to carry out the steps defined in the active_tdd_plan.md.
2. No Plan Modification: You MUST NOT modify the plan itself.
3. Optional Steps: You MAY skip any step marked as (optional) if the state is clear.

PARALLEL EXECUTION PROTOCOL

4. Parallel Spawning: If Task A and Task B are marked as Parallel with each other:
   • You MUST attempt to spawn a sub-agent (if the platform provides a subagent or browser_subagent tool) to handle one of the tasks.
   • If no sub-agent tool is available, you MUST execute them sequentially but acknowledge the parallel potential in progress.md.
   • Before spawning, ensure common dependencies (Tasks they both depend on) are 100% complete.

Pre-Flight Context Checklist

Before you execute any code, you MUST load your context.

1. Read Core Files: Read task_plan.md, findings.md, and active_tdd_plan.md.
2. Guide-Aware Loading: Before starting Task N, check if .superpower-with-files/guides/task-N.md exists. If it does, YOU MUST READ IT. It contains the detailed "how-to" for the task.
3. Sync Progress: Check progress.md to resume correctly.

Execution Checkpoint Rule

When you finish a batch of 3 tasks, before you pause to say "Ready for feedback", you MUST:

1. Context Hygiene:
   • Summarize the batch into a single concise paragraph in progress.md.
   • Clear any temporary discovery findings from findings.md that are no longer relevant.
   • For your next prompt, keep only the relevant task_plan.md phase and the next 3 tasks from active_tdd_plan.md in your immediate thought block.
2. Session Handoff:
   • If you are stopping or pausing for more than a few minutes, CREATE or UPDATE: .superpower-with-files/handoff.md
   • Include: Latest timestamp, Completed tasks, Current task status, Any blockers, and "Next Action" details.
3. Implicit Stop: Stop and prompt the user:

   "Batch complete. Progress saved and context compacted. Session handoff updated at handoff.md. Ready to continue?"

Automated Timestamping

• Every time you modify a memory file (task_plan.md, active_tdd_plan.md, findings.md, progress.md), you MUST append a horizontal rule and a timestamp at the very bottom: --- *Last Updated: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM UTC*