Executing Plans

---
name: executing-plans
description: Use when an implementation plan already exists. Execute it in a separate session with review checkpoints.
calls:
  - "hard:finishing-a-development-branch"
  - "hard:using-git-worktrees"
compatibility:
  - "Python 3.11+ standard library"
---

# Executing Plans
## Contents

- [Overview](#overview)
- [Process](#process)
  - [Step 1: Load and review the plan](#step-1-load-and-review-the-plan)
  - [Step 2: Execute the tasks](#step-2-execute-the-tasks)
  - [Step 2.1: Keep the plan current](#step-21-keep-the-plan-current)
  - [Step 3: Finish development](#step-3-finish-development)
- [Failure modes and cautions](#failure-modes-and-cautions)
- [When to stop and ask for help](#when-to-stop-and-ask-for-help)
- [When revisiting an earlier step](#when-revisiting-an-earlier-step)
- [Things to remember](#things-to-remember)
- [Integration](#integration)


## Overview

Load the plan, review it critically, execute every task, and report on completion.

Announce at the start: "I'm using the executing-plans skill to implement this plan."

Note: when running on a platform that supports subagents (Claude Code, Codex, and so on), use coding-convention:subagent-driven-development instead of this skill. Execution efficiency is much higher in an environment with subagent access.

## Process

### Step 1: Load and review the plan

1. Read the plan file.
2. Review it critically. Identify questions or concerns about the plan.
3. If there are concerns: discuss them with the user partner before starting.
4. If there are no concerns: create the TodoWrite and proceed.

### Step 2: Execute the tasks

For each task:
1. Mark it in_progress.
2. Follow each step exactly (the plan is composed of bite-sized steps).
3. Run verification as specified.
4. Mark it completed.

### Step 2.1: Keep the plan current

If execution or verification proves the plan's scope, order, expected behavior, or task wording is wrong, update the plan before continuing. The plan is the current execution contract, not a log of earlier attempts.

- Edit the existing task text so it reflects the current decision.
- Do not append changelogs, past rationale, previous attempts, or case notes.
- Keep only information needed for future execution: current scope, order, commands, acceptance criteria, and open blockers.
- After editing task text or order, update the active TodoWrite/task tracker so it matches the revised plan before continuing.
- If the change widens or narrows the committed objective, stop and confirm before editing the plan.

### Step 3: Finish development

When every task is completed and verified:
- Announce: "I'm using the finishing-a-development-branch skill to complete this work."
- Required sub-skill: use coding-convention:finishing-a-development-branch.
- Follow that skill to verify, present options, and execute the choice.

## Failure modes and cautions

- Do not mistake the plan file for execution commands.
- Do not arbitrarily add files, tests, or refactors that are not in the plan.
- Do not pass over a blocking situation by guessing.
- Do not skip verification before completion or the finishing-a-development-branch call.

## When to stop and ask for help

Stop execution immediately in the following situations:
- A blocking situation occurs (a missing dependency, a test failure, an unclear instruction).
- The plan has a critical gap that prevents starting.
- You do not understand an instruction.
- Verification fails repeatedly.

Asking clearly is better than guessing.

## When revisiting an earlier step

When returning to review (Step 1):
- The partner updates the plan based on feedback.
- The base approach needs to be reconsidered.

Do not force your way through a blocking situation. Stop and ask.

## Things to remember

- Review the plan critically first.
- Follow the plan steps exactly.
- Do not skip verification.
- Use a skill when the plan references it.
- When blocked, stop and do not guess.
- Do not start implementation on the main/master branch without explicit user consent.

## Integration

Required workflow skills:
- coding-convention:using-git-worktrees - required: set up an isolated workspace before starting.
- coding-convention:writing-plans - writes the plan that this skill executes.
- coding-convention:finishing-a-development-branch - finishes development after every task is complete.