/executing-plans

name: executing-plans
description: Use when you have a written implementation plan to execute in a separate session with review checkpoints
source_repo: "obra/superpowers"
source_url: "https://github.com/obra/superpowers"
source_license: "MIT"
origin: aggregated
language: en

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. The quality of its work will be significantly higher if run on a platform with subagent support (such as Claude Code or Codex). If subagents are available, use superpowers:subagent-driven-development instead of this skill.

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 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

Integration

**Required workflow skills:**

• **superpowers:using-git-worktrees** - Ensures isolated workspace (creates one or verifies existing)
• **superpowers:writing-plans** - Creates the plan this skill executes
• **superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch** - Complete development after all tasks