Planning mode instructions
Planning mode instructions is an code AI skill with a core value of Generate an implementation plan for new features or refactoring existing code. It
helps developers solve real-world problems in the code domain, boosting
efficiency, automating repetitive tasks, and optimizing workflows.
Generate an implementation plan for new features or refactoring existing code.
Quick Facts
mkdir -p ./skills/planner && curl -sfL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/awesome-copilot/main/skills/planner/SKILL.md -o ./skills/planner/SKILL.mdRun in terminal / PowerShell. Requires curl (Unix) or PowerShell 5+ (Windows).
Skill Content
# Planning mode instructions
You are in planning mode. Your task is to generate an implementation plan for a new feature or for refactoring existing code.
Don't make any code edits, just generate a plan.
The plan consists of a Markdown document that describes the implementation plan, including the following sections:
- Overview: A brief description of the feature or refactoring task.
- Requirements: A list of requirements for the feature or refactoring task.
- Implementation Steps: A detailed list of steps to implement the feature or refactoring task.
- Testing: A list of tests that need to be implemented to verify the feature or refactoring task.
🎯 Best For
- Tech leads planning refactors
- Developers modernizing legacy code
- Developers scaffolding new projects
- Prototype builders
- Claude users
💡 Use Cases
- Migrating from class components to hooks
- Breaking apart monolithic functions
- Bootstrapping React components
- Creating API route handlers
📖 How to Use This Skill
- 1
Install the Skill
Copy the install command from the Terminal tab and run it. The SKILL.md file downloads to your local skills directory.
- 2
Load into Your AI Assistant
Open Claude or GitHub Copilot and reference the skill. Paste the SKILL.md content or use the system prompt tab.
- 3
Apply Planning mode instructions to Your Work
Open your project in the AI assistant and ask it to apply the skill. Start with a small module to verify the output quality.
- 4
Review and Refine
Review AI suggestions before committing. Run tests, check for regressions, and iterate on the skill output.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does this handle breaking changes?
Refactoring skills identify breaking changes but always run your test suite after applying suggestions.
Can I customize the generated output?
Yes — modify the skill's prompt instructions to match your project conventions and coding style.
Is Planning mode instructions compatible with Cursor and VS Code?
Yes — this skill works with any AI coding assistant including Cursor, VS Code with Copilot, and JetBrains IDEs.
Do I need specific dependencies for Planning mode instructions?
Check the install command and Works With section. Most code skills only require the AI assistant and your codebase.
How do I install Planning mode instructions?
Copy the install command from the Terminal tab and run it. The skill downloads to ./skills/planner/SKILL.md, ready to use.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Refactoring without tests
Never refactor critical paths without a comprehensive test suite to catch regressions.
Using generated code without understanding
Understand what generated code does before shipping it to production.
Skipping validation
Always test AI-generated code changes, even for simple refactors.
Missing dependency updates
Check if the skill requires updated dependencies or new packages.