Feature Planning
Systematically analyze feature requests and create detailed, actionable implementation plans.
When to Use
- Requests new feature ("add user authentication", "build dashboard")
- Asks for enhancements ("improve performance", "add export")
- Describes complex multi-step changes
- Explicitly asks for planning ("plan how to implement X")
- Provides vague requirements needing clarification
Planning Workflow
1. Understand Requirements
Ask clarifying questions:
- What problem does this solve?
- Who are the users?
- Specific technical constraints?
- What does success look like?
Explore the codebase: Use Task tool with subagent_type='Explore' and thoroughness='medium' to understand:
- Existing architecture and patterns
- Similar features to reference
- Where new code should live
- What will be affected
2. Analyze & Design
Identify components:
- Database changes (models, migrations, schemas)
- Backend logic (API endpoints, business logic, services)
- Frontend changes (UI, state, routing)
- Testing requirements
- Documentation updates
Consider architecture:
- Follow existing patterns (check CLAUDE.md)
- Identify reusable components
- Plan error handling and edge cases
- Consider performance implications
- Think about security and validation
Check dependencies:
- New packages/libraries needed
- Compatibility with existing stack
- Configuration changes required
3. Create Implementation Plan
Break feature into discrete, sequential tasks:
## Feature: [Feature Name]
### Overview
[Brief description of what will be built and why]
### Architecture Decisions
- [Key decision 1 and rationale]
- [Key decision 2 and rationale]
### Implementation Tasks
#### Task 1: [Component Name]
- **File**: `path/to/file.py:123`
- **Description**: [What needs to be done]
- **Details**:
- [Specific requirement 1]
- [Specific requirement 2]
- **Dependencies**: None (or list task numbers)
#### Task 2: [Component Name]
...
### Testing Strategy
- [What types of tests needed]
- [Critical test cases to cover]
### Integration Points
- [How this connects with existing code]
- [Potential impacts on other features]Include specific references:
- File paths with line numbers (
src/utils/auth.py:45) - Existing patterns to follow
- Relevant documentation
4. Review Plan with User
Confirm:
- Does this match expectations?
- Missing requirements?
- Adjust priorities or approach?
- Ready to proceed?
5. Execute with plan-implementer
Launch plan-implementer agent for each task:
Task tool with:
- subagent_type: 'plan-implementer'
- description: 'Implement [task name]'
- prompt: Detailed task description from planExecution strategy:
- Implement sequentially (respect dependencies)
- Verify each task before next
- Adjust plan if issues discovered
- Let test-fixing skill handle failures
- Let git-pushing skill handle commits
Best Practices
Planning:
- Start broad, then specific
- Reference existing code patterns
- Include file paths and line numbers
- Think through edge cases upfront
- Keep tasks focused and atomic
Communication:
- Explain architectural decisions
- Highlight trade-offs and alternatives
- Be explicit about assumptions
- Provide context for future maintainers
Execution:
- Implement one task at a time
- Verify before moving forward
- Keep user informed
- Adapt based on discoveries
Integration
- plan-implementer agent: Receives task specs, implements
- test-fixing skill: Auto-triggered on test failures
- git-pushing skill: Triggered for commits