shape-it

Plans work by investigating the project first and asking only expensive-to-reverse decisions.

Updated Aug 5, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/skkap/claude-skills --skill shape-it-skkap
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: shape-it
Source: https://github.com/skkap/claude-skills/tree/main/plugins/shape-it/skills/shape-it
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/skkap/claude-skills --skill shape-it-skkap

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Planning sessions often fail in two directions: an agent that asks nothing builds the wrong thing confidently, while one that asks everything makes you redo the thinking you delegated. This Skill reads the project first, decides everything the repository already answers, and asks you only about decisions that are expensive to reverse. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Investigation before questions: Reads DOMAIN.md, docs/decisions/, CLAUDE.md, and the nearest existing implementation so settled terms and recorded decisions are never re-asked. - Reversibility-based triage: Sorts every open decision by whether the repo can answer it and how costly it is to undo, asking only about vocabulary, data models, public surfaces, scope boundaries, and business rules. - Batched multiple-choice questions: Uses one round of up to four opinionated questions with stated consequences and previews, then writes a structured markdown plan and persists domain terms and decision records. - Use Case: Before building a shipment-splitting feature, the Skill states in five plain lines what the work is and what it costs to skip, asks four targeted questions, and writes a plan file opened for annotation via plannotator. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to plan a feature or piece of work before building it, for example by saying "use shape-it to plan the shipment splitting feature before we write any code".

Frequently Asked Questions about shape-it

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I plan a feature before writing code with an AI agent?

Invoke the skill with a description of the work. It investigates the repository first, states what the work is in five plain lines, asks only expensive-to-reverse questions in one batched round, and writes a markdown plan file.

What kinds of questions does shape-it ask during planning?

It asks only about decisions that are hard to undo and not answered by the repo: vocabulary, data models, public API surfaces, architecture with lock-in, scope boundaries, UI shape without precedent, and business rules. Everything else it decides and lists under 'Decided without asking'.

Does shape-it work on projects that are not code?

Yes. It works on document and records projects where the expensive decisions are filings, instruments, and counterparties rather than schemas and routes. It reads the project's DOMAIN.md and decision records the same way.

Does shape-it implement the plan or enter plan mode?

No. It produces a written plan as a markdown file and stops. It explicitly does not enter plan mode, does not implement, and does not start 'just the obvious part' — the plan document is the deliverable.

What happens if plannotator is not installed?

The skill writes the plan to a file, reports the full path, and stops. It does not substitute a different viewer; the annotation step via 'plannotator annotate' is skipped with a clear notice.