create-implementation-plan
github/awesome-copilot
Generate structured, machine-readable implementation plans for features, refactoring, upgrades, and architecture changes.
What is create-implementation-plan?
Creates deterministic implementation plan files designed for AI-to-AI communication and automated execution. Use this when you need to break down a feature, refactoring, package upgrade, or architectural change into discrete, executable phases with clear tasks, dependencies, and validation criteria.
- Generates implementation plans with atomic phases and executable tasks
- Structures content as machine-parseable formats with explicit file paths and code references
- Includes measurable completion criteria and automated validation rules
- Applies standardized identifier prefixes (REQ-, TASK-, TEST-, etc.) for automated parsing
- Saves plans to `/plan/` directory with deterministic naming conventions
- Supports multiple plan types: feature, upgrade, refactor, architecture, infrastructure, design, and data
How to install create-implementation-plan
npx skills add https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot --skill create-implementation-planHow to use create-implementation-plan
- 1.Invoke the skill with a plan purpose (e.g., 'upgrade Node.js to v20', 'refactor authentication module')
- 2.Provide context about the scope, constraints, and goals of the implementation
- 3.The skill generates a structured Markdown file in `/plan/` directory
- 4.Review the generated plan's phases, tasks, dependencies, and validation criteria
- 5.Execute tasks phase-by-phase, updating completion status and dates in the plan file
Use cases
- Planning a new feature implementation with clear phase breakdown and task dependencies
- Documenting a package upgrade with specific file changes and validation steps
- Structuring a codebase refactoring into parallel-executable phases
- Designing infrastructure or architectural changes with explicit requirements and constraints
- Creating migration plans with measurable completion criteria for autonomous execution
- AI agents and coding assistants executing implementation tasks
- Engineering teams planning complex features or refactoring efforts
- Technical leads documenting architecture and infrastructure changes
- DevOps engineers planning system upgrades or migrations
create-implementation-plan FAQ
Files are saved as `[purpose]-[component]-[version].md` in the `/plan/` directory, where purpose is one of: upgrade, refactor, feature, data, infrastructure, process, architecture, or design. Example: `upgrade-system-command-4.md`.
Yes. Tasks can be executed in parallel unless explicit dependencies are declared between them. Each phase must have measurable completion criteria.
Plans support five status values: Completed (green), In progress (yellow), Planned (blue), Deprecated (red), or On Hold (orange). Status is displayed as a badge in the introduction section.
This skill is optimized for AI-to-AI communication and automated processing, but plans are also executable by humans. All language is deterministic with zero ambiguity required.
All plans must include: Introduction with status badge, Requirements & Constraints, Implementation Steps (phases and tasks), Alternatives, Dependencies, Files, Testing, Risks & Assumptions, and Related Specifications.
Full instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from github/awesome-copilot.
name: create-implementation-plan description: 'Create a new implementation plan file for new features, refactoring existing code or upgrading packages, design, architecture or infrastructure.'
Create Implementation Plan
Primary Directive
Your goal is to create a new implementation plan file for ${input:PlanPurpose}. Your output must be machine-readable, deterministic, and structured for autonomous execution by other AI systems or humans.
Execution Context
This prompt is designed for AI-to-AI communication and automated processing. All instructions must be interpreted literally and executed systematically without human interpretation or clarification.
Core Requirements
- Generate implementation plans that are fully executable by AI agents or humans
- Use deterministic language with zero ambiguity
- Structure all content for automated parsing and execution
- Ensure complete self-containment with no external dependencies for understanding
Plan Structure Requirements
Plans must consist of discrete, atomic phases containing executable tasks. Each phase must be independently processable by AI agents or humans without cross-phase dependencies unless explicitly declared.
Phase Architecture
- Each phase must have measurable completion criteria
- Tasks within phases must be executable in parallel unless dependencies are specified
- All task descriptions must include specific file paths, function names, and exact implementation details
- No task should require human interpretation or decision-making
AI-Optimized Implementation Standards
- Use explicit, unambiguous language with zero interpretation required
- Structure all content as machine-parseable formats (tables, lists, structured data)
- Include specific file paths, line numbers, and exact code references where applicable
- Define all variables, constants, and configuration values explicitly
- Provide complete context within each task description
- Use standardized prefixes for all identifiers (REQ-, TASK-, etc.)
- Include validation criteria that can be automatically verified
Output File Specifications
- Save implementation plan files in
/plan/directory - Use naming convention:
[purpose]-[component]-[version].md - Purpose prefixes:
upgrade|refactor|feature|data|infrastructure|process|architecture|design - Example:
upgrade-system-command-4.md,feature-auth-module-1.md - File must be valid Markdown with proper front matter structure
Mandatory Template Structure
All implementation plans must strictly adhere to the following template. Each section is required and must be populated with specific, actionable content. AI agents must validate template compliance before execution.
Template Validation Rules
- All front matter fields must be present and properly formatted
- All section headers must match exactly (case-sensitive)
- All identifier prefixes must follow the specified format
- Tables must include all required columns
- No placeholder text may remain in the final output
Status
The status of the implementation plan must be clearly defined in the front matter and must reflect the current state of the plan. The status can be one of the following (status_color in brackets): Completed (bright green badge), In progress (yellow badge), Planned (blue badge), Deprecated (red badge), or On Hold (orange badge). It should also be displayed as a badge in the introduction section.
---
goal: [Concise Title Describing the Package Implementation Plan's Goal]
version: [Optional: e.g., 1.0, Date]
date_created: [YYYY-MM-DD]
last_updated: [Optional: YYYY-MM-DD]
owner: [Optional: Team/Individual responsible for this spec]
status: 'Completed'|'In progress'|'Planned'|'Deprecated'|'On Hold'
tags: [Optional: List of relevant tags or categories, e.g., `feature`, `upgrade`, `chore`, `architecture`, `migration`, `bug` etc]
---
# Introduction

[A short concise introduction to the plan and the goal it is intended to achieve.]
## 1. Requirements & Constraints
[Explicitly list all requirements & constraints that affect the plan and constrain how it is implemented. Use bullet points or tables for clarity.]
- **REQ-001**: Requirement 1
- **SEC-001**: Security Requirement 1
- **[3 LETTERS]-001**: Other Requirement 1
- **CON-001**: Constraint 1
- **GUD-001**: Guideline 1
- **PAT-001**: Pattern to follow 1
## 2. Implementation Steps
### Implementation Phase 1
- GOAL-001: [Describe the goal of this phase, e.g., "Implement feature X", "Refactor module Y", etc.]
| Task | Description | Completed | Date |
|------|-------------|-----------|------|
| TASK-001 | Description of task 1 | ✅ | 2025-04-25 |
| TASK-002 | Description of task 2 | | |
| TASK-003 | Description of task 3 | | |
### Implementation Phase 2
- GOAL-002: [Describe the goal of this phase, e.g., "Implement feature X", "Refactor module Y", etc.]
| Task | Description | Completed | Date |
|------|-------------|-----------|------|
| TASK-004 | Description of task 4 | | |
| TASK-005 | Description of task 5 | | |
| TASK-006 | Description of task 6 | | |
## 3. Alternatives
[A bullet point list of any alternative approaches that were considered and why they were not chosen. This helps to provide context and rationale for the chosen approach.]
- **ALT-001**: Alternative approach 1
- **ALT-002**: Alternative approach 2
## 4. Dependencies
[List any dependencies that need to be addressed, such as libraries, frameworks, or other components that the plan relies on.]
- **DEP-001**: Dependency 1
- **DEP-002**: Dependency 2
## 5. Files
[List the files that will be affected by the feature or refactoring task.]
- **FILE-001**: Description of file 1
- **FILE-002**: Description of file 2
## 6. Testing
[List the tests that need to be implemented to verify the feature or refactoring task.]
- **TEST-001**: Description of test 1
- **TEST-002**: Description of test 2
## 7. Risks & Assumptions
[List any risks or assumptions related to the implementation of the plan.]
- **RISK-001**: Risk 1
- **ASSUMPTION-001**: Assumption 1
## 8. Related Specifications / Further Reading
[Link to related spec 1]
[Link to relevant external documentation]
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