writing-plans
Create detailed implementation plans before coding (saves tokens later)
When & Why to Use This Skill
This Claude skill streamlines the software development lifecycle by generating comprehensive implementation plans before a single line of code is written. It focuses on defining clear goals, technical constraints, and high-level architectural approaches to optimize token usage and prevent costly logic errors. By establishing a structured blueprint, it ensures that coding sessions are efficient, goal-oriented, and aligned with success criteria.
Use Cases
- Complex Feature Engineering: Creating a detailed roadmap for implementing multi-layered systems like JWT authentication or complex database migrations.
- Token & Cost Optimization: Reducing LLM overhead by establishing a clear plan once and referencing it throughout the development process to avoid repetitive context setting.
- Risk Management: Identifying potential technical bottlenecks and compatibility issues early in the design phase to prepare mitigation strategies.
- Technical Documentation: Automatically generating structured project briefs that include success metrics and step-by-step task breakdowns for team review.
| name | writing-plans |
|---|---|
| description | Create detailed implementation plans before coding (saves tokens later) |
| trigger | auto |
Writing Implementation Plans
Create clear plans BEFORE coding to save time and tokens:
Plan Structure
1. GOAL (1-2 sentences)
What are we building and why?
2. CONSTRAINTS
- Technology limits
- Time/resource constraints
- Compatibility requirements
- Performance targets
3. APPROACH (High-Level)
- Architecture pattern
- Key components
- Data flow
- Integration points
4. STEPS (Ordered Tasks)
1. [Component] - Brief description
2. [Component] - Brief description
- Sub-task if needed
3. [Testing] - What to test
4. [Deployment] - How to deploy
5. RISKS & MITIGATIONS
Risk: Description
Mitigation: Solution
6. SUCCESS CRITERIA
- Measurable outcomes
- Test coverage targets
- Performance metrics
Token Optimization
- Write plan ONCE, reference during implementation
- Clear steps prevent back-and-forth
- Catches issues early (cheaper to fix in planning)
- Team can review before coding starts
Example Output Format
GOAL: Add user authentication with JWT
CONSTRAINTS:
- Must use existing DB schema
- Response time < 200ms
- Support OAuth2
APPROACH:
- Middleware-based auth layer
- JWT with refresh tokens
- Redis session cache
STEPS:
1. Create auth middleware
2. Implement token generation/validation
3. Add refresh token logic
4. Write integration tests
5. Update API docs
RISKS:
- Token expiry handling → Use refresh tokens
- Concurrency issues → Use Redis locks
SUCCESS:
- All endpoints secured
- 95%+ test coverage
- Load test passes (1000 req/s)