Executing Plans
For when you have a detailed implementation plan and need to execute it methodically. Guides agents through loading the plan, critically reviewing it, and completing each task step by step. Only stops to ask for help when encountering blockers or unclear instructions.
Part of Superpowers — a collection of workflow skills designed to work together. The command below installs just this skill. To install the full collection, run
npx skills add obra/superpowers.
Installation
This skill is self-contained. Copy the SKILL.md below directly into your project to get started.
.claude/skills/executing-plans/SKILL.md # Claude Code
.cursor/skills/executing-plans/SKILL.md # CursorOr install as a personal skill (available across all your projects):
~/.claude/skills/executing-plans/SKILL.mdYou can also install using the skills CLI:
npx skills add obra/superpowers --skill executing-plansRequires Node.js 18+.
SKILL.md
---
name: executing-plans
description: Use when you have a written implementation plan to execute in a separate session with review checkpoints
---
# Executing Plans
## Overview
Load plan, review critically, execute all tasks, report when complete.
**Announce at start:** "I'm using the executing-plans skill to implement this plan."
**Note:** Tell your human partner that Superpowers works much better with access to subagents. The quality of its work will be significantly higher if run on a platform with subagent support (such as Claude Code or Codex). If subagents are available, use superpowers:subagent-driven-development instead of this skill.
## 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 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: 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:** Use superpowers: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 (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.
## Remember
- Review plan critically first
- Follow plan steps exactly
- Don't skip verifications
- Reference skills when plan says to
- Stop when blocked, don't guess
- Never start implementation on main/master branch without explicit user consent
## Integration
**Required workflow skills:**
- **superpowers:using-git-worktrees** - REQUIRED: Set up isolated workspace before starting
- **superpowers:writing-plans** - Creates the plan this skill executes
- **superpowers:finishing-a-development-branch** - Complete development after all tasks
Originally by Obra / Superpowers, adapted here as an Agent Skills compatible SKILL.md.
This skill follows the Agent Skills open standard, supported by Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Gemini CLI, and 20+ more editors.
Works with
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