---
name: plan
description: "[CT] Plan implementations, design architectures, create technical roadmaps with detailed phases. Use for feature planning, system design, solution architecture, implementation strategy, phase documentation."
license: MIT
---

# Planning

Create detailed technical implementation plans through research, codebase analysis, solution design, and comprehensive documentation.

## Workflow Modes

Default: `--auto` (analyze task complexity and auto-pick mode).

| Flag | Mode | Research | Red Team | Validation | Cook Flag |
|------|------|----------|----------|------------|-----------|
| `--auto` | Auto-detect | Follows mode | Follows mode | Follows mode | Follows mode |
| `--fast` | Fast | Skip | Skip | Skip | `--auto` |
| `--hard` | Hard | 2 researchers | Yes | Optional | (none) |
| `--parallel` | Parallel | 2 researchers | Yes | Optional | `--parallel` |
| `--two` | Two approaches | 2+ researchers | After selection | After selection | (none) |

Add `--no-tasks` to skip task hydration in any mode.

Load: `references/workflow-modes.md` for auto-detection logic, per-mode workflows, context reminders.

## When to Use

- Planning new feature implementations
- Architecting system designs
- Evaluating technical approaches
- Creating implementation roadmaps
- Breaking down complex requirements

## Core Responsibilities & Rules

Always honoring **YAGNI**, **KISS**, and **DRY** principles.
**Be honest, be brutal, straight to the point, and be concise.**

### 1. Research & Analysis
Load: `references/research-phase.md`
**Skip if:** Fast mode or provided with researcher reports

### 2. Codebase Understanding
Load: `references/codebase-understanding.md`
**Skip if:** Provided with scout reports

### 3. Solution Design
Load: `references/solution-design.md`

### 4. Plan Creation & Organization
Load: `references/plan-organization.md`

### 5. Task Breakdown & Output Standards
Load: `references/output-standards.md`

## Workflow Process

1. **Pre-Creation Check** → Check Plan Context for active/suggested/none
2. **Mode Detection** → Auto-detect or use explicit flag (see `workflow-modes.md`)
3. **Research Phase** → Spawn researchers (skip in fast mode)
4. **Codebase Analysis** → Read docs, scout if needed
5. **Plan Documentation** → Write comprehensive plan via planner subagent
6. **Red Team Review** → Use `Skill` tool: `plan:red-team {plan-path}` (hard/parallel/two modes)
7. **Post-Plan Validation** → Use `Skill` tool: `plan:validate {plan-path}` (hard/parallel/two modes)
8. **Hydrate Tasks** → Create Claude Tasks from phases (default on, `--no-tasks` to skip)
9. **Context Reminder** → Output cook command with absolute path (MANDATORY)

## Output Requirements

- DO NOT implement code - only create plans
- Respond with plan file path and summary
- Ensure self-contained plans with necessary context
- Include code snippets/pseudocode when clarifying
- Fully respect the `./docs/development-rules.md` file

## Task Management

Plan files = persistent. Tasks = session-scoped. Hydration bridges the gap.

**Default:** Auto-hydrate tasks after plan files are written. Skip with `--no-tasks`.
**3-Task Rule:** <3 phases → skip task creation.

Load: `references/task-management.md` for hydration pattern, TaskCreate patterns, cook handoff protocol.

### Hydration Workflow
1. Write plan.md + phase files (persistent layer)
2. TaskCreate per phase with `addBlockedBy` chain
3. TaskCreate for critical/high-risk steps within phases
4. Metadata: phase, priority, effort, planDir, phaseFile
5. Cook picks up via TaskList (same session) or re-hydrates (new session)

## Active Plan State

Check `## Plan Context` injected by hooks:
- **"Plan: {path}"** → Active plan. Ask "Continue? [Y/n]"
- **"Suggested: {path}"** → Branch hint only. Ask if activate or create new.
- **"Plan: none"** → Create new using `Plan dir:` from `## Naming`

After creating plan: `node .claude/scripts/set-active-plan.cjs {plan-dir}`
Reports: Active plans → plan-specific path. Suggested → default path.

### Important
DO NOT create plans or reports in USER directory.
ALWAYS create plans or reports in CURRENT WORKING PROJECT DIRECTORY.

## Quality Standards

- Thorough and specific, consider long-term maintainability
- Research thoroughly when uncertain
- Address security and performance concerns
- Detailed enough for junior developers
- Validate against existing codebase patterns

**Remember:** Plan quality determines implementation success. Be comprehensive and consider all solution aspects.