Research-Plan-Implement: Using Coding Agents

Spec driven usage of coding agents.

Research Phase

The goal of this phase is to understand the codebase with respect to some user requirements. The output of this phase is a detailed map of the codebase, written in a document called research.md that shows all relevant code which the agent will require to satisfy a user query.

Code example (via a custom slash command)

/research_codebase read @user_requirements.md and all parts of the code base that are relevant to implementing the features therein. Explain it all for me 
in a way that the next agent can pick it up and get to work.

The output file research.md must be human reviewed.

Plan Phase

The goal of this phase is to use the research.md document to create a detailed implementation plan to build the desired features.

Code example (via a custom slash command)

/create_plan read @user_requirements.md and the research in @research.md and then lets work back and forth to outline the phases, start with your open questions
for me and then give me a phase outline before writing the plan.

This process is iterative with the user to refine planning phases. Ask the agent to defer to the user and go back and forth since it has a habit of taking on long tasks indepedently. The implementation plan should be output in a document named plan.md. When this is complete, the user should read it and iterate with the agent to refine the plan.md document.

Code example to update a plan (via a custom slash command)

/create_plan I'm not creating a new plan but updating the existing plan @plan.md. Don't perform any new research, use the guidelines to update the plan. Standby for my feedback.

Implement Phase

The goal of this phase is to implement plan.md via the coding agent - ideally incrementally and actually make code changes.

Code example (via a custom slash command)

/implement_plan we're working on @plan.md, work on implementing phase 1 and show me the results. Ask me to manually review after every change major change made.

Generally speaking, you want the coding agent to generate good, human understandable tests. Then, spend time checking those tests.

References

1. Human Layer’s .claude directory. Add the relevant command md files from the commands directory.
2. Spec-based coding agents walkthrough
3. Reseach-Plan-Implement interview with Dexter Horthy