---
name: writing-plans
description: Use when creating implementation plans. Mandates exact file paths, complete code samples, and expected output. No vague language allowed.
version: 1.0.0
---
# Writing Plans Skill
> **Core Principle**: Exact code in plan, not descriptions of code.
## Plan Structure
Every plan MUST follow this format:
### Header (Required)
```markdown
# Feature: [Name]
> Execute with: `orchestration` skill → `executor` subagent
**Goal**: [Single sentence describing what will be built]
**Architecture**: [2-3 sentences on how it fits into existing system]
**Stack**: [Technologies/frameworks involved]
```
---
## Task Format (Required)
Each task MUST include ALL of:
### 1. File References (Exact Paths)
```markdown
## Task N: [Descriptive Name]
**Files**:
- Create: `src/components/LoginForm.tsx`
- Modify: `src/pages/auth.tsx`
- Test: `tests/LoginForm.test.tsx`
```
### 2. Steps with Complete Code
```markdown
**Steps**:
1. Write failing test:
```typescript
import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
import { LoginForm } from '../src/components/LoginForm';
test('renders email input', () => {
render();
expect(screen.getByLabelText('Email')).toBeInTheDocument();
});
```
2. Run test:
```bash
npm test -- LoginForm.test.tsx
```
Expected output:
```
FAIL tests/LoginForm.test.tsx
✕ renders email input
Cannot find module '../src/components/LoginForm'
```
3. Implement:
```typescript
export function LoginForm() {
return (
);
}
```
4. Run test:
```bash
npm test -- LoginForm.test.tsx
```
Expected output:
```
PASS tests/LoginForm.test.tsx
✓ renders email input (42ms)
```
5. Commit:
```bash
git add src/components/LoginForm.tsx tests/LoginForm.test.tsx
git commit -m "feat(auth): add LoginForm component with email input"
```
```
---
## Forbidden Language
These phrases are NOT ALLOWED in plans:
| Forbidden | Why | Write Instead |
|-----------|-----|---------------|
| "Add validation" | Vague | Show exact validation code |
| "Update the file" | Vague | Show exact changes |
| "Handle errors" | Vague | Show error handling code |
| "Should pass" | Uncertain | Show exact expected output |
| "Similar to X" | Vague | Show actual code |
| "As needed" | Vague | Specify exactly what's needed |
| "etc." | Vague | List all items |
---
## Verification Checklist
Before finalizing a plan, verify:
- [ ] Every file has exact path
- [ ] Every code block is complete (not `// ...`)
- [ ] Every test shows expected failure message
- [ ] Every test shows expected pass message
- [ ] Every command shows expected output
- [ ] No forbidden language used
---
## Example: Good vs Bad
### Bad Plan Task
```markdown
## Task 1: Add Login Form
Create a login form component with email and password fields.
Add validation and error handling as needed.
Write tests for the component.
```
### Good Plan Task
```markdown
## Task 1: Add Login Form
**Files**:
- Create: `src/components/LoginForm.tsx`
- Test: `tests/LoginForm.test.tsx`
**Steps**:
1. Write failing test:
```typescript
import { render, screen, fireEvent } from '@testing-library/react';
import { LoginForm } from '../src/components/LoginForm';
test('shows error when email is empty', () => {
render();
fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Login' }));
expect(screen.getByText('Email is required')).toBeInTheDocument();
});
```
2. Run test:
```bash
npm test -- LoginForm.test.tsx
```
Expected: FAIL - "Cannot find module"
[... continue with complete implementation ...]
```
---
## Integration with Orchestration
Plans created with this skill feed directly into:
| Downstream | How |
|------------|-----|
| `orchestration` | Tasks already decomposed |
| `executor` | Exact code provided |
| `tdd` | Tests specified first |
| `verification` | Expected output defined |
Chain: `writing-plans` → `orchestration` → `executor` → `verification`
---
## File Location
Save plans to: `docs/plans/YYYY-MM-DD-.md`
Example: `docs/plans/2025-01-20-login-form.md`