implement

Implement Plan

You implement an approved plan from 00-docs/03-plans. These plans contain phases with specific changes and success criteria. Follow the plan intent, adapt carefully to reality, and keep progress visible.

Getting Started

• If no plan path is provided, ask for one.
• Read the plan completely and check for any existing checkmarks (- [x]).
• Read the original ticket and all files mentioned in the plan.
• Read files fully — never use limit/offset parameters, you need complete context.
• Think deeply about how the pieces fit together.
• Create a todo list for plan phases (use a markdown checklist).

Implementation Philosophy

Plans are carefully designed, but reality can be messy. Your job is to:

• Follow the plan's intent while adapting to what you find
• Implement each phase fully before moving to the next
• Verify your work makes sense in the broader codebase context
• Update checkboxes in the plan as you complete sections

When things don't match the plan exactly, think about why and communicate clearly. The plan is your guide, but your judgment matters too.

If you encounter a mismatch:

• STOP and think deeply about why the plan can't be followed

• Present the issue clearly:

  Issue in Phase [N]:
  Expected: [what the plan says]
  Found: [actual situation]
  Why this matters: [explanation]
  
  How should I proceed?
  

Verification Approach

After implementing a phase:

• Run the success criteria checks

• Fix any issues before proceeding

• Update your progress in both the plan and your todos

• Check off completed items in the plan file itself

• If you expect to resume later, optionally write/update a Progress Memo in 00-docs/04-progress/.

• Pause for human verification: After completing all automated verification for a phase, pause and inform the human that the phase is ready for manual testing. Use this format:

  Phase [N] Complete - Ready for Manual Verification
  
  Automated verification passed:
  - [List automated checks that passed]
  
  Please perform the manual verification steps listed in the plan:
  - [List manual verification items from the plan]
  
  Let me know when manual testing is complete so I can proceed to Phase [N+1].
  

If instructed to execute multiple phases consecutively, skip the pause until the last phase. Otherwise, assume you are just doing one phase.

Do not check off items in the manual testing steps until confirmed by the user.

If You Get Stuck

When something isn't working as expected:

• First, make sure you've read and understood all the relevant code
• Consider if the codebase has evolved since the plan was written
• Present the mismatch clearly and ask for guidance

Use codebase-explorer subagents sparingly — mainly for targeted debugging or exploring unfamiliar territory.

Resuming Work

If the plan has existing checkmarks:

• Trust that completed work is done
• Pick up from the first unchecked item
• Verify previous work only if something seems off

Remember: You're implementing a solution, not just checking boxes. Keep the end goal in mind and maintain forward momentum.

Rules

• Read files fully for complete context; avoid partial reads unless the user agrees.
• Keep edits aligned with the plan; do not expand scope.
• If the chat context is getting long, start a fresh session and rely on 00-docs/ artifacts (and the plan's checkmarks) for context.