name: executing-plans
description: Disciplined plan execution for implementation tasks. Use when executing a saved implementation plan, following step-by-step instructions from a plan document.

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."

Quick Reference

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 Batch

Default: First 3 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: Report

When batch complete:
- Show what was implemented
- Show verification output
- Say: "Ready for feedback."

Step 4: Continue

Based on feedback:
- Apply changes if needed
- Execute next batch
- Repeat until complete

Step 5: 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: 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 mid-batch (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.

Common Mistakes

Executing without critical review
- Problem: Blindly following plan with gaps
- Fix: Step 1 explicitly requires raising concerns first

Batch size drift
- Problem: Doing 5-10 tasks without checkpoint
- Fix: Default is 3. Report after EVERY batch.

Guessing through blockers
- Problem: Making assumptions when stuck
- Fix: STOP immediately, ask for clarification

Skipping verification commands
- Problem: Mark complete without running tests
- Fix: Each task has verification - run it

Integration

Called by:
- writing-plans (Parallel Session choice)

Calls:
- finishing-a-development-branch (Step 5)

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