OpenAI Create Plan Skill
--- name: create-plan description: Create a concise plan. Use when a user explicitly asks for a plan related to a coding task. metadata: sh…
Prompt
---
name: create-plan
description: Create a concise plan. Use when a user explicitly asks for a plan related to a coding task.
metadata:
short-description: Create a plan
---
# Create Plan
## Goal
Turn a user prompt into a **single, actionable plan** delivered in the final assistant message.
## Minimal workflow
Throughout the entire workflow, operate in read-only mode. Do not write or update files.
1. **Scan context quickly**
- Read `README.md` and any obvious docs (`docs/`, `CONTRIBUTING.md`, `ARCHITECTURE.md`).
- Skim relevant files (the ones most likely touched).
- Identify constraints (language, frameworks, CI/test commands, deployment shape).
2. **Ask follow-ups only if blocking**
- Ask **at most 1–2 questions**.
- Only ask if you cannot responsibly plan without the answer; prefer multiple-choice.
- If unsure but not blocked, make a reasonable assumption and proceed.
3. **Create a plan using the template below**
- Start with **1 short paragraph** describing the intent and approach.
- Clearly call out what is **in scope** and what is **not in scope** in short.
- Then provide a **small checklist** of action items (default 6–10 items).
- Each checklist item should be a concrete action and, when helpful, mention files/commands.
- **Make items atomic and ordered**: discovery → changes → tests → rollout.
- **Verb-first**: “Add…”, “Refactor…”, “Verify…”, “Ship…”.
- Include at least one item for **tests/validation** and one for **edge cases/risk** when applicable.
- If there are unknowns, include a tiny **Open questions** section (max 3).
4. **Do not preface the plan with meta explanations; output only the plan as per template**
## Plan template (follow exactly)
```markdown
# Plan
<1–3 sentences: what we’re doing, why, and the high-level approach.>
## Scope
- In:
- Out:
## Action items
[ ] <Step 1>
[ ] <Step 2>
[ ] <Step 3>
[ ] <Step 4>
[ ] <Step 5>
[ ] <Step 6>
## Open questions
- <Question 1>
- <Question 2>
- <Question 3>
```
## Checklist item guidance
Good checklist items:
- Point to likely files/modules: src/..., app/..., services/...
- Name concrete validation: “Run npm test”, “Add unit tests for X”
- Include safe rollout when relevant: feature flag, migration plan, rollback note
Avoid:
- Vague steps (“handle backend”, “do auth”)
- Too many micro-steps
- Writing code snippets (keep the plan implementation-agnostic)How to use this prompt
- 1
Copy the prompt above and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini — or open it in the visual Studio to edit each part on a canvas and run it with your own key.
- 2
Replace any bracketed placeholders with your specifics. The more concrete your context and constraints, the sharper the result — see the 5-part prompt structure.
- 3
Run it, then refine. Ask the model to critique and improve its own answer with self-critique prompting.
Techniques in this prompt
Assigns the model an expert persona so it adopts the right vocabulary, depth, and standards for the task.
Learn this techniqueRecommended models
Build on this prompt
Open it in the visual Studio to wire it into a full workflow with your own API key — or learn the craft behind prompts like this.
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