Rigorous planning workflow with research validation, task breakdown, dependency mapping, and post-implementation verification. Use when: (1) planning complex features touching 5+ files, (2) architectural changes or major refactors, (3) unfamiliar tech requiring doc research, (4) user says "thorough plan", "rigorous plan", or "structured plan". Invoke with /structured-plan before or during plan mode.
View on GitHubclaude-meta-tools/skills/structured-plan/SKILL.md
February 4, 2026
Select agents to install to:
npx add-skill https://github.com/bengous/claude-code-plugins/blob/main/claude-meta-tools/skills/structured-plan/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill structured-planInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/structured-plan/# Structured Plan
A checklist-driven planning workflow that ensures plans are research-validated, broken into atomic tasks, complete, and self-verifying.
## Workflow Overview
```
Phase A: Clarification (if needed)
↓
Phase B: Iterative Refinement (7 steps)
↓
Exit Plan Mode → Implementation
```
---
## Phase A: Clarification
If the user's prompt is vague or ambiguous, use **AskUserQuestion** to clarify before proceeding. Ask about:
- Scope boundaries (what's in/out)
- Technology choices (if multiple options exist)
- Acceptance criteria (how to know it's done)
Once intent is clear, proceed to Phase B.
---
## Phase B: Iterative Refinement
After drafting an initial plan, apply this checklist. **Edit the plan file after each step** (not one-shot).
### Step 1: Research Validation
Validate your approach against official documentation.
- [ ] Use **WebSearch** for patterns, best practices, common gotchas
- [ ] Use **Context7** for framework/library docs
- If not loaded: `mcp-add context7` (lean mode) or skip to WebSearch
- [ ] Add **Best Practices References** section to plan with links
```markdown
## Best Practices References
- [Pattern name](url) - key insight
- [Library docs](url) - relevant section
```
→ **Edit plan file**
---
### Step 2: Task Breakdown
Break the plan into atomic, committable tasks.
- [ ] Create numbered tasks (Task 1, Task 2, ...)
- [ ] Each task must have: **Files**, **Verify**, **Commit**
- [ ] Use TaskCreate/TaskUpdate tools to track progress during implementation
See `references/task-template.md` for format.
→ **Edit plan file**
---
### Step 3: Task Dependencies
Define execution order with a dependency diagram.
- [ ] Use `→` for sequential dependencies
- [ ] Use commas for parallel tasks
- [ ] Make dependencies explicit, not implicit
```
Task 1 → Task 2 → Task 3
Task 4, Task 5 (parallel, after Task 3)
```
→ **Edit plan file**
---
### Step 4: Shared Infrastructure
Identify code that would be duplicated across ta