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."

Workflow

See examples/workflow-definition.yml for complete workflow.

Key phases:

1. Load and critically review plan
2. Execute batch (default: 3 tasks)
3. Report results and get feedback
4. Continue, revise, or pause based on feedback
5. Complete with finishing-a-development-branch
6. Present next action options (Issue #118)

Execution Process

See examples/batch-execution-guide.md for detailed process.

Key points:

• Default batch size: 3 tasks
• Checkpoint after each batch: Report and wait for feedback
• TodoWrite integration: Track progress through tasks
• Verification: Run all verification steps as specified in plan
• Stop when blocked: Ask for help, don't guess

PDF Plan Support

Plans can be provided as Markdown or PDF format.

See examples/pdf-plan-support.md for PDF processing details.

Supported formats:

• Markdown implementation plans
• PDF implementation plans
• PDF PRDs (for context)

Quality Gates

Stop and ask for help when:

• Plan has concerns or gaps before starting
• Hit blocker mid-batch (missing dependency, failing test, unclear instruction)
• Verification fails repeatedly
• Don't understand an instruction

Don't force through blockers - ask for clarification.

Batch Feedback

After each batch, use AskUserQuestion with options:

• Continue: Proceed to next batch
• Revise: Apply feedback to current batch
• Pause: Stop and save progress

See examples/batch-execution-guide.md for templates.

Next Action Loop (Issue #118)

CRITICAL: After completion, ALWAYS present next actions:

• Work on another issue
• Run tests/checks
• Session capture and exit

NEVER end without presenting next step options.

See examples/batch-execution-guide.md for implementation.

Integration

Upstream skills:

• pop-writing-plans: Provides implementation plan
• pop-brainstorming: Provides design context

Downstream skills:

• pop-finishing-a-development-branch: Called after all tasks complete
• pop-session-capture: Called when pausing execution

Internal agents:

• code-explorer: Loads and parses plans
• code-architect: Reviews plans and implements tasks
• test-writer-fixer: Runs verification steps

Related Skills

• pop-writing-plans: Create the implementation plan
• pop-finishing-a-development-branch: Complete development after tasks done
• pop-session-capture: Save progress when pausing
• pop-subagent-driven: Alternative execution with fresh subagent per task

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

Version: 1.0.0 Category: Development Workflow Tier: Core