planning

The 'planning' skill is designed to help teams break down complex tasks and start significant work in small, manageable increments. The core principle is that all work must be done in small, known-good steps, ensuring that each increment leaves the codebase in a working state with all tests passing. This approach minimizes risks by ensuring that each step is independently deployable and clearly defined. It emphasizes maintainability, clarity, and test-driven development (TDD) practices, making it easier for teams to track progress and adjust as needed.

Key features of this skill include the use of a three-document model to maintain planning documentation: PLAN.md for outlining goals, WIP.md for tracking progress, and LEARNINGS.md for capturing discoveries. These documents work in conjunction, guiding the project through structured steps while also documenting key insights and blockers along the way. The 'known-good increment' methodology ensures that each step is small enough to be described succinctly, independently deployable, and aligned with testing and refactoring principles.

This skill is useful for developers and teams working on significant or complex tasks where clear tracking, approval processes, and incremental progress are essential. It's particularly beneficial for those working in agile environments or following TDD principles, as it promotes clear task breakdown, accountability, and consistent quality checks throughout the development process.