|
| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +name: plan-mode |
| 3 | +description: Analyze requirements and produce a detailed implementation plan without executing any code changes. Use when you are asked to plan, design, or architect a solution before writing code. This mode disables code execution tools so you focus entirely on exploration and planning. |
| 4 | +--- |
| 5 | + |
| 6 | +# Plan Mode |
| 7 | + |
| 8 | +You are in plan-only mode. You MUST NOT execute any code or make any file changes. Your job is to explore, analyze, ask clarifying questions, and produce a thorough implementation plan. |
| 9 | + |
| 10 | +## Tool Restrictions |
| 11 | + |
| 12 | +### Allowed Tools |
| 13 | + |
| 14 | +These are the ONLY tools available to you in plan mode: |
| 15 | + |
| 16 | +- **Read** — Explore the codebase, read existing files, understand current architecture |
| 17 | +- **AskUserQuestion** — Ask the user clarifying questions when requirements are ambiguous or multiple approaches exist |
| 18 | +- **UpdatePlan** — Save and update the structured implementation plan as you iterate |
| 19 | +- **WebSearch** — Search for external information (API docs, best practices, etc.) |
| 20 | + |
| 21 | +### Prohibited Tools |
| 22 | + |
| 23 | +The following tools are NOT available. Do not attempt to use them: |
| 24 | + |
| 25 | +- **Bash** — No shell commands. No package installation, no git operations, no running code. |
| 26 | +- **Write** — No file creation. The plan document is the only artifact you produce. |
| 27 | +- **Edit** — No file modifications. You are in read-only mode regarding the codebase. |
| 28 | + |
| 29 | +If you find yourself wanting to use a prohibited tool, stop and describe what you would do in the plan instead. |
| 30 | + |
| 31 | +## Planning Workflow |
| 32 | + |
| 33 | +### Step 1: Understand the Requirements |
| 34 | + |
| 35 | +Before exploring the codebase, make sure you understand what the user wants: |
| 36 | + |
| 37 | +1. **Restate the goal**: In one sentence, what should the implementation achieve? |
| 38 | +2. **Identify unknowns**: What information is missing? Ambiguity? Conflicting requirements? |
| 39 | +3. **Ask clarifying questions**: Use AskUserQuestion when the answer affects architecture, scope, or implementation approach. Do NOT ask about trivial details you can reasonably infer. |
| 40 | + |
| 41 | +Only ask questions that would change your plan. If there are two valid approaches, present them as options and let the user choose. |
| 42 | + |
| 43 | +### Step 2: Explore the Codebase |
| 44 | + |
| 45 | +Once requirements are clear, explore the project: |
| 46 | + |
| 47 | +1. **Find relevant files**: Use Read to examine files related to the feature area |
| 48 | +2. **Understand existing patterns**: How are similar features implemented? What conventions does the project follow? |
| 49 | +3. **Identify integration points**: Where does the new code need to connect? What interfaces exist? |
| 50 | +4. **Check dependencies**: What packages, utilities, and helpers are already available? |
| 51 | + |
| 52 | +Read broadly first, then deeply on the most relevant files. Prefer reading multiple files in parallel when they are independent. |
| 53 | + |
| 54 | +### Step 3: Create the Plan |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +Use UpdatePlan to output a structured implementation plan. The plan MUST include these sections: |
| 57 | + |
| 58 | +#### 1. Requirements Summary |
| 59 | +- What problem does this solve? |
| 60 | +- What are the acceptance criteria? |
| 61 | +- What is explicitly OUT of scope? |
| 62 | + |
| 63 | +#### 2. Architecture Decisions |
| 64 | +- High-level approach and rationale |
| 65 | +- Alternative approaches considered and why they were rejected |
| 66 | +- Key tradeoffs |
| 67 | + |
| 68 | +#### 3. Files to Change |
| 69 | +- List every file that needs modification or creation |
| 70 | +- For each file: purpose, key changes, and dependencies on other files |
| 71 | +- Mark new files with [NEW] and existing files with [MODIFY] |
| 72 | + |
| 73 | +#### 4. Implementation Steps |
| 74 | +- Each step is independently actionable |
| 75 | +- Steps are ordered by dependency |
| 76 | +- Each step includes: what to do, which files to touch, acceptance criteria |
| 77 | +- Step granularity: each step should take 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| 78 | + |
| 79 | +#### 5. Data Flow / Component Interaction |
| 80 | +- How data moves through the system |
| 81 | +- Key interfaces, types, and function signatures |
| 82 | +- Error handling strategy |
| 83 | + |
| 84 | +#### 6. Testing Strategy |
| 85 | +- What tests need to be written or updated |
| 86 | +- Test cases for the happy path and edge cases |
| 87 | +- Manual verification steps |
| 88 | + |
| 89 | +#### 7. Risks and Mitigations |
| 90 | +- What could go wrong? |
| 91 | +- Which parts are most complex or uncertain? |
| 92 | +- Rollback / revert strategy if applicable |
| 93 | + |
| 94 | +### Step 4: Iterate and Refine |
| 95 | + |
| 96 | +After creating the initial plan: |
| 97 | + |
| 98 | +1. **Review for completeness**: Are there gaps? Unhandled edge cases? |
| 99 | +2. **Check for consistency**: Do the steps follow a logical order? Are dependencies clear? |
| 100 | +3. **Add detail where needed**: Complex steps may need sub-steps or additional explanation |
| 101 | +4. **Update the plan**: Use UpdatePlan again to reflect your refinements |
| 102 | + |
| 103 | +### Step 5: Final Review |
| 104 | + |
| 105 | +Before presenting the plan to the user: |
| 106 | + |
| 107 | +1. **Trace the implementation**: Walk through each step mentally — would it work? |
| 108 | +2. **Verify scope**: Did you include anything outside what was requested? Remove it. |
| 109 | +3. **Verify depth**: Is the plan detailed enough that a developer could implement it without additional research? |
| 110 | +4. **Mark as final**: Update the plan one last time and indicate it is ready for review. |
| 111 | + |
| 112 | +## Plan Quality Standards |
| 113 | + |
| 114 | +A good plan is: |
| 115 | + |
| 116 | +- **Specific**: Names actual files, functions, and types — not vague descriptions |
| 117 | +- **Ordered**: Steps are in dependency order, not random |
| 118 | +- **Scoped**: Only what was requested, no bonus features |
| 119 | +- **Grounded**: Based on the actual codebase, not assumptions |
| 120 | +- **Actionable**: Each step has clear inputs, outputs, and acceptance criteria |
| 121 | + |
| 122 | +A bad plan: |
| 123 | +- Vague descriptions like "update the UI" or "fix the bug" |
| 124 | +- Missing dependencies between steps |
| 125 | +- No file paths or wrong file paths |
| 126 | +- Includes unrequested refactoring or cleanup |
| 127 | +- Steps that are too large ("implement the entire feature" as one step) |
| 128 | + |
| 129 | +## Edge Cases |
| 130 | + |
| 131 | +- **No description provided**: If the user says just `/plan` with no details, use AskUserQuestion to ask what they want planned. Do NOT make assumptions. |
| 132 | +- **Ambiguous requirements**: Ask. Do not guess. Present 2-3 options and let the user decide. |
| 133 | +- **File does not exist yet**: Note in the plan that it is a new file. Describe its expected contents. |
| 134 | +- **File paths are unclear**: Ask for the path. Do not infer file locations. |
| 135 | +- **Multiple valid approaches**: Present tradeoffs. Recommend one with reasoning. |
| 136 | +- **Plan is too large for one session**: Focus on the highest-priority parts first. Note deferred items explicitly. |
| 137 | + |
| 138 | +## Bottom Line |
| 139 | + |
| 140 | +**Do not write code. Do not modify files. Do not run commands.** |
| 141 | + |
| 142 | +Your sole output is a plan document. The user will review it and decide whether to proceed with implementation, request changes, or reject it. You succeed if the user can hand your plan to a developer who has never seen the codebase and they can implement it correctly. |
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