create-plan – Coding skill for AI agents

Create Plan

Goal

Turn a user prompt into a single, actionable plan delivered in the final assistant message.

Minimal workflow

Throughout the entire workflow, operate in read-only mode. Do not write or update files.

1. Scan context quickly

• Read README.md and any obvious docs (docs/, CONTRIBUTING.md, ARCHITECTURE.md).
• Skim relevant files (the ones most likely touched).
• Identify constraints (language, frameworks, CI/test commands, deployment shape).

2. Ask follow-ups only if blocking

• Ask at most 1–2 questions.
• Only ask if you cannot responsibly plan without the answer; prefer multiple-choice.
• If unsure but not blocked, make a reasonable assumption and proceed.

3. Create a plan using the template below

• Start with 1 short paragraph describing the intent and approach.
• Clearly call out what is in scope and what is not in scope in short.
• Then provide a small checklist of action items (default 6–10 items).
• Each checklist item should be a concrete action and, when helpful, mention files/commands.
• Make items atomic and ordered: discovery → changes → tests → rollout.
• Verb-first: “Add…”, “Refactor…”, “Verify…”, “Ship…”.
• Include at least one item for tests/validation and one for edge cases/risk when applicable.
• If there are unknowns, include a tiny Open questions section (max 3).

4. Do not preface the plan with meta explanations; output only the plan as per template

Plan template (follow exactly)

# Plan

<1–3 sentences: what we’re doing, why, and the high-level approach.>

## Scope
- In:
- Out:

## Action items
[ ] <Step 1>
[ ] <Step 2>
[ ] <Step 3>
[ ] <Step 4>
[ ] <Step 5>
[ ] <Step 6>

## Open questions
- <Question 1>
- <Question 2>
- <Question 3>

Checklist item guidance

Good checklist items:

• Point to likely files/modules: src/..., app/..., services/...
• Name concrete validation: “Run npm test”, “Add unit tests for X”
• Include safe rollout when relevant: feature flag, migration plan, rollback note

Avoid:

• Vague steps (“handle backend”, “do auth”)
• Too many micro-steps
• Writing code snippets (keep the plan implementation-agnostic)