---
name: create-plan
description: Create a concise plan. Use when a user explicitly asks for a plan related to a coding task.
metadata:
short-description: Create a plan
---
# Create Plan
## Goal
Turn a user prompt into a **single, actionable plan** delivered in the final assistant message.
## Minimal workflow
Throughout the entire workflow, operate in read-only mode. Do not write or update files.
1. **Scan context quickly**
- Read `README.md` and any obvious docs (`docs/`, `CONTRIBUTING.md`, `ARCHITECTURE.md`).
- Skim relevant files (the ones most likely touched).
- Identify constraints (language, frameworks, CI/test commands, deployment shape).
2. **Ask follow-ups only if blocking**
- Ask **at most 1–2 questions**.
- Only ask if you cannot responsibly plan without the answer; prefer multiple-choice.
- If unsure but not blocked, make a reasonable assumption and proceed.
3. **Create a plan using the template below**
- Start with **1 short paragraph** describing the intent and approach.
- Clearly call out what is **in scope** and what is **not in scope** in short.
- Then provide a **small checklist** of action items (default 6–10 items).
- Each checklist item should be a concrete action and, when helpful, mention files/commands.
- **Make items atomic and ordered**: discovery → changes → tests → rollout.
- **Verb-first**: “Add…”, “Refactor…”, “Verify…”, “Ship…”.
- Include at least one item for **tests/validation** and one for **edge cases/risk** when applicable.
- If there are unknowns, include a tiny **Open questions** section (max 3).
4. **Do not preface the plan with meta explanations; output only the plan as per template**
## Plan template (follow exactly)
```markdown
# Plan
<1–3 sentences: what we’re doing, why, and the high-level approach.>
## Scope
- In:
- Out:
## Action items
[ ] <Step 1>
[ ] <Step 2>
[ ] <Step 3>
[ ] <Step 4>
[ ] <Step 5>
[ ] <Step 6>
## Open questions
- <Question 1>
- <Question 2>
- <Question 3>
```
## Checklist item guidance
Good checklist items:
- Point to likely files/modules: src/..., app/..., services/...
- Name concrete validation: “Run npm test”, “Add unit tests for X”
- Include safe rollout when relevant: feature flag, migration plan, rollback note
Avoid:
- Vague steps (“handle backend”, “do auth”)
- Too many micro-steps
- Writing code snippets (keep the plan implementation-agnostic)