planning

Transforms implementation requests into phased technical specifications with approval gates and backlog routing.

3|Updated Apr 27, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/zoraxl/team-brain --skill planning-zoraxl
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: planning
Source: https://github.com/zoraxl/team-brain/tree/main/.cursor/skills/planning
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/zoraxl/team-brain --skill planning-zoraxl

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This skill solves the ambiguity and lack of structure in the early stages of software development by enforcing a rigorous, multi-phase planning process that prevents premature coding and ensures team alignment.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Phase Decomposition: Automatically breaks down high-level feature requests into shippable, independent technical phases.
  • Approval Gates: Enforces a mandatory pause for user confirmation before any technical specifications are written.
  • Lifecycle Management: Tracks the state of work from initial brainstorm to ready-to-ship, ensuring all open questions are resolved or routed to a backlog.

Quick Start

Ask the agent to plan the implementation of the new authentication module based on the existing brainstorm document.

Frequently Asked Questions about planning

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I turn a high-level feature request into a structured technical specification?

Structuring technical specifications requires decomposing high-level feature requests into shippable phases. The planning skill enforces a multi-phase lifecycle with mandatory approval gates, resolving open questions and routing backlog items before any coding begins.

What is the best way to prevent premature coding during the engineering workflow?

Preventing premature coding requires strict lifecycle management and approval gates. This enforces a mandatory pause for user confirmation before technical specifications are written, ensuring team alignment and resolving open questions before development starts.

How do I break down a software architecture into independent shippable units?

Breaking down software architecture into shippable units involves automated phase decomposition. The planning process transforms implementation intents into independent technical phases, tracking workflow states from initial brainstorm to ready-to-ship.

Does the technical specification process support routing unresolved open questions to a backlog?

The technical specification process explicitly supports routing unresolved open questions to a backlog. Lifecycle management tracks work states from brainstorm to ready-to-ship, ensuring all open questions are resolved or formally deferred.

Can I use this workflow to enforce mandatory review gates before writing implementation specs?

You can enforce mandatory review gates before writing implementation specs. The planning lifecycle requires explicit user confirmation pauses, ensuring technical specifications are only generated after formal approval is granted.

When should I not use a strict lifecycle state machine for feature planning?

A strict lifecycle state machine for feature planning should not be used when rapid prototyping is needed without formal documentation. The rigorous multi-phase enforcement and approval gates are designed to prevent ambiguity, making it unsuitable for unstructured exploratory coding.