designing-plans

Guide structured design processes for new features before implementation.

Updated Mar 6, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/ryan-ressmeyer/llm-skills --skill designing-plans
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: designing-plans
Source: https://github.com/ryan-ressmeyer/llm-skills/tree/main/designing-plans
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/ryan-ressmeyer/llm-skills --skill designing-plans

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill ensures that all new features, components, or functionality changes are thoroughly designed and approved before any implementation work begins, preventing wasted effort and unexamined assumptions.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Structured Design Process: Guides the AI through exploring project context, asking clarifying questions, proposing approaches, and presenting a detailed design for user approval.
  • Mandatory Design Gate: Enforces a strict "design first" policy, preventing premature implementation.
  • Use Case: Before adding a new user authentication flow to a web application, this Skill would be used to define the requirements, explore different security models, and get user sign-off on the proposed architecture and user experience.

Quick Start

Use the designing-plans skill to start designing a new feature for the user profile page.

Frequently Asked Questions about designing-plans

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I design a new feature before coding?

To design a feature before coding, you need a structured design process that explores project context, asks clarifying questions, proposes alternative approaches with trade-offs, and presents a detailed design for user approval before implementation begins.

What is a mandatory design gate in the development process?

A mandatory design gate is a strict policy that enforces thorough planning and user alignment by requiring a detailed design to be approved before any implementation work on new features or functionality modifications starts.

How do I gather requirements for a feature implementation?

To gather requirements for feature implementation, guide the AI through exploring project context and asking clarifying questions to define requirements, explore different approaches, and get user sign-off on the proposed architecture.

Can I use this structured design process for modifying existing functionality?

Yes, this structured design process supports both new features and functionality modifications, ensuring that all changes are thoroughly designed, trade-offs are evaluated, and user approval is secured before implementation.

What's the best way to prevent wasted effort during feature development?

The best way to prevent wasted effort during feature development is to enforce a design-first policy that requires exploring alternative approaches, evaluating trade-offs, and getting explicit user approval on the architecture before any code is written.

When do I need to propose alternative approaches with trade-offs?

You need to propose alternative approaches with trade-offs during the design phase of the development process, after exploring project context and asking clarifying questions but before presenting a detailed design for user approval.