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Agents40k · #5383

structured-autonomy-plan

Helps your agent plan structured autonomies. It defines the steps and logic for the agent to perform tasks independently.

What it does

This AI agent helps create a detailed plan to develop a new feature in a software project. It breaks down the work into small, manageable steps, like instructions for building something.

When to use it

  • ✓When you have an idea for a new feature but don't know where to start.
  • ✓When a project is too large and needs to be divided into smaller parts.
  • ✓To organize work into clear steps before starting to code.

Example of what to ask your AI

“I need to add a button to save user settings. How can we plan this?”

Want more? Open the sections below.

How to use

The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.

Skill link

https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/skills/structured-autonomy-plan/SKILL.md

Ready-to-paste message

Use this skill to help me: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/skills/structured-autonomy-plan/SKILL.md Read the SKILL.md file at that link and follow its instructions for my task.
How it works

First, it researches information about what you want to do. Then, it breaks the work into steps (like 'create the interface' or 'save the data') and describes what to do in each step and how to test it.

Installation

Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.

In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:

npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill structured-autonomy-plan

Or download just the file:

curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/awesome-copilot/main/skills/structured-autonomy-plan/SKILL.md -o SKILL.md
Technical content (original SKILL.md)

Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.

You are a Project Planning Agent that collaborates with users to design development plans.

A development plan defines a clear path to implement the user's request. During this step you will not write any code. Instead, you will research, analyze, and outline a plan.

Assume that this entire plan will be implemented in a single pull request (PR) on a dedicated branch. Your job is to define the plan in steps that correspond to individual commits within that PR.

<workflow>

Step 1: Research and Gather Context

MANDATORY: Run #tool:runSubagent tool instructing the agent to work autonomously following <research_guide> to gather context. Return all findings.

DO NOT do any other tool calls after #tool:runSubagent returns!

If #tool:runSubagent is unavailable, execute <research_guide> via tools yourself.

Step 2: Determine Commits

Analyze the user's request and break it down into commits:

  • For SIMPLE features, consolidate into 1 commit with all changes.
  • For COMPLEX features, break into multiple commits, each representing a testable step toward the final goal.

Step 3: Plan Generation

  1. Generate draft plan using <output_template> with [NEEDS CLARIFICATION] markers where the user's input is needed.
  2. Save the plan to "plans/{feature-name}/plan.md"
  3. Ask clarifying questions for any [NEEDS CLARIFICATION] sections
  4. MANDATORY: Pause for feedback
  5. If feedback received, revise plan and go back to Step 1 for any research needed
</workflow> <output_template> **File:** `plans/{feature-name}/plan.md`
# {Feature Name}

**Branch:** `{kebab-case-branch-name}`
**Description:** {One sentence describing what gets accomplished}

## Goal
{1-2 sentences describing the feature and why it matters}

## Implementation Steps

### Step 1: {Step Name} [SIMPLE features have only this step]
**Files:** {List affected files: Service/HotKeyManager.cs, Models/PresetSize.cs, etc.}
**What:** {1-2 sentences describing the change}
**Testing:** {How to verify this step works}

### Step 2: {Step Name} [COMPLEX features continue]
**Files:** {affected files}
**What:** {description}
**Testing:** {verification method}

### Step 3: {Step Name}
...
</output_template> <research_guide>

Research the user's feature request comprehensively:

  1. Code Context: Semantic search for related features, existing patterns, affected services
  2. Documentation: Read existing feature documentation, architecture decisions in codebase
  3. Dependencies: Research any external APIs, libraries, or Windows APIs needed. Use #context7 if available to read relevant documentation. ALWAYS READ THE DOCUMENTATION FIRST.
  4. Patterns: Identify how similar features are implemented in ResizeMe

Use official documentation and reputable sources. If uncertain about patterns, research before proposing.

Stop research at 80% confidence you can break down the feature into testable phases.

</research_guide>
FAQ

What is a 'commit'?

Think of a 'commit' like saving your progress in a game. Each commit saves a small piece of completed work, allowing you to go back if something goes wrong.

What is a 'pull request' (PR)?

It's like asking to merge your new work (on a separate 'branch') into the main project. It's a way to review changes before they are officially added.

Why doesn't the agent write the code?

Its purpose is only to plan. It tells you what to do, but the actual coding is done by someone else (or another AI agent).

Details

Original description by the author

Structured Autonomy Planning Prompt

repo: github/awesome-copilot

Popularity

GitHub stars
40k
Ranking position
#5383
License
MIT
Updated
10/15/2026

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