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Writing40k · #5406

update-implementation-plan

Lets your agent update implementation plans. It adds new tasks or requirements for new features. Helps keep project planning organized and current.

What it does

This tool helps create a detailed plan for updating a software project. It organizes the necessary tasks for adding new features, fixing existing code, or updating components.

When to use it

  • ✓When you need to add a new feature to a software.
  • ✓When fixing or improving parts of the existing code.
  • ✓To plan the update of libraries or the project's infrastructure.

Example of what to ask your AI

“Create an implementation plan to add a Google login button to my web application.”

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/update-implementation-plan/SKILL.md

Ready-to-paste message

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

The AI organizes information about what needs to be done, breaking it down into clear, detailed steps. It specifies which files to modify, which tasks to perform, and how to verify that everything worked correctly.

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 update-implementation-plan

Or download just the file:

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

Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.

Update Implementation Plan

Primary Directive

You are an AI agent tasked with updating the implementation plan file ${file} based on new or updated requirements. 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

![Status: <status>](https://img.shields.io/badge/status-<status>-<status_color>)

[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.]


…
FAQ

What is an 'implementation plan'?

It's a step-by-step guide that describes how to make a change or add something to a software project, ensuring everything is done in an organized and complete manner.

Why does the plan need to be 'structured for automated processing'?

This means the plan is written in a way that other computer programs or AIs can understand and follow without confusion, making the process more efficient.

What are 'atomic phases'?

These are small parts of the plan that can be worked on and completed independently, like building blocks, making it easier to track progress.

Details

Original description by the author

Update an existing implementation plan file with new or update requirements to provide new features, refactoring existing code or upgrading packages, design, architecture or infrastructure.

repo: github/awesome-copilot

Popularity

GitHub stars
40k
Ranking position
#5406
License
MIT
Updated
10/15/2026

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