Arness Planning

Go from an idea, issue, or bug report through to a complete implementation plan ready for execution. This is the primary first-citizen entry point for the Arness development pipeline. It orchestrates scope assessment, spec authoring, plan generation, plan structuring, plan review, and task creation — then chains to arn-implementing.

This skill is a sequencer and decision-gate handler. It MUST NOT duplicate sub-skill logic. All pipeline work is done by the invoked skills. Arness-planning handles: input routing, scope assessment, transitions between skills, progress display, resumability, and chaining.

Prerequisites: Ensure Configuration

Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/arn-code-ensure-config/references/ensure-config.md and follow its instructions. This guarantees a user profile exists and ## Arness is configured with Arness Code fields before proceeding.

After configuration is ensured, extract the following from ## Arness:

• Plans directory — for detecting plan previews and project folders
• Specs directory — for detecting specification files
• Code patterns — path to stored pattern documentation
• Issue tracker — determines if "Pick from backlog" option is available (github, jira, or none)

Workflow

Step 0: Input Routing

Check the trigger message to determine the entry path:

Input Pattern	Action
No args	Proceed to Step 1 (State Detection), then G1 if no resume
Text description (e.g., "planning: add rate limiting")	Extract description, proceed to Step 3 (Scope Assessment)
Issue reference (#42, PROJ-123)	Invoke Skill: arn-code:arn-code-pick-issue with the reference, then proceed to Step 3 with the loaded issue context
Feature backlog reference (F-003)	Invoke Skill: arn-code:arn-code-pick-issue with the reference, then proceed to Step 3
"pick" keyword	Invoke Skill: arn-code:arn-code-pick-issue (browse mode), then proceed to Step 3
"resume"	Proceed to Step 1 (State Detection)

---

Step 1: State Detection

Check which artifacts exist on disk to determine the entry point. Check from most advanced to least advanced — first match wins:

Artifact	Detected State	Resume Point
INTRODUCTION.md in <plans-dir>/<project>/	Plan saved and structured	G5 (Completion — offer implementing)
STANDARD_*.md in <plans-dir>/ or project root	Standard tier in progress/complete	Chain to arn-implementing with standard intent
PLAN_PREVIEW_*.md in <plans-dir>/	Plan generated, not saved	Auto-run save-plan, then G5
FEATURE_*.md or BUGFIX_*.md in <specs-dir>/ (finalized)	Spec written, no plan	G3 (Spec review)
DRAFT_FEATURE_*.md in <specs-dir>/ (no finalized spec)	Spec in progress	Resume spec (invoke feature-spec, which detects the draft)
None of the above	Fresh start	G1

If multiple specs or plans detected: List them and ask the user which to resume.

If artifacts detected:

Show the detected state and ask: "It looks like you have an in-progress plan. Resume from [detected stage], or start fresh?"

• Resume → skip to the detected resume point
• Start fresh → begin at G1 (do not delete existing artifacts)

If no artifacts detected: check for a greenfield feature backlog, then proceed to G1.

Greenfield backlog check (optional — Arness Spark integration):

If no Arness Code artifacts were detected, check for a greenfield feature backlog. Arness Spark is an optional plugin — if any condition fails, skip silently and proceed to G1 normally.

1. ## Arness config has a Vision directory field (only set by arn-spark-init, never by core arn-code-init)
2. If Vision directory exists, <vision-dir>/features/feature-backlog.md exists
3. The file contains a ## Feature Tracker table

If all three pass, parse the Feature Tracker to count features by status (pending, in-progress, done). Skip rows with status decomposed — their sub-features are counted individually instead. Calculate unblocked features (pending where all dependencies have status done, or dependencies are None).

Hold the results for G1 — they change how the gate is presented. If any condition fails, proceed to G1 with no backlog context.

---

Step 2: Gate G1 — Entry Point

Only reached when no input was provided and no artifacts were detected for resume.

Show progress:

Planning: ENTRY -> scope-router -> spec -> plan -> save -> review-plan -> taskify -> [ready]
          ^^^^^

If greenfield backlog was detected in Step 1:

Present the backlog context before asking:

"A greenfield feature backlog exists with [total] features ([unblocked] unblocked, [in-progress] in progress, [done] done).

The unblocked features ready for implementation are available via the backlog."

Ask (using AskUserQuestion):

"What would you like to work on?"

If unblocked > 1 (batch option available — 4 options):

Options:

1. Pick from backlog (Recommended) — Browse [unblocked] unblocked features from the greenfield pipeline
2. Batch plan ([unblocked] features) — Plan multiple features for parallel implementation
3. Describe a feature — Start with a new feature idea
4. Report a bug — Investigate a bug and develop it into a fix or spec

If unblocked <= 1 (no batch option — 3 options):

Options:

1. Pick from backlog (Recommended if [unblocked] > 0) — Browse [unblocked] unblocked features from the greenfield pipeline (shown when Issue tracker is not none OR greenfield backlog was detected — the greenfield backlog provides local-only browsing even without a remote issue tracker)
2. Describe a feature — Start with a new feature idea
3. Report a bug — Investigate a bug and develop it into a fix or spec

If no greenfield backlog (default):

Ask (using AskUserQuestion):

"What are you planning?"

Options:

1. Pick from backlog — Browse issues and pick one to work on (only shown if Issue tracker is not none)
2. Describe a feature — Start with a feature idea
3. Report a bug — Investigate a bug and develop it into a fix or spec

Based on choice:

• Pick from backlog → Skill: arn-code:arn-code-pick-issue. When pick-issue completes (issue selected and context loaded), proceed to Step 3 (Scope Assessment) with the issue context.
• Batch plan → Skill: arn-code:arn-code-batch-planning. Exit arn-planning — batch-planning orchestrates the multi-feature flow including spec, plan, save-plan for each feature, then chains to batch-implement.
• Describe a feature → Ask the user to describe the feature. Proceed to Step 3 with the description.
• Report a bug → Skill: arn-code:arn-code-bug-spec. Bug-spec handles its own investigation flow:
  • If bug-spec resolves via simple path (fix applied, no spec): "Bug fixed. No planning needed." Offer: chain to /arn-shipping or exit.
  • If bug-spec produces a spec file: proceed to G3 (Spec Review).

---

Step 3: Scope Assessment

Classify the user's input to determine the best routing. This is a lightweight assessment, not a full architect invocation.

Show progress:

Planning: entry -> SCOPE-ROUTER -> spec -> plan -> save -> review-plan -> taskify -> [ready]
                   ^^^^^^^^^^^^

Step 3A: Read Codebase Context

Read (silently, do not present to the user):

• <code-patterns-dir>/architecture.md — technology stack, project scale, module structure
• <code-patterns-dir>/code-patterns.md — naming conventions, existing patterns

Step 3B: Classify Intent

Analyze the description (from user input, issue, or backlog item) for intent signals:

Bug signals: "fix", "broken", "error", "not working", "bug", "crash", "failing", "regression", "issue with", "doesn't work", "wrong behavior" → TYPE = bug

Feature signals: "add", "create", "build", "implement", "new", "support for", "enable", "introduce", "enhance", "improve", "extend", "upgrade" → TYPE = feature

Ambiguous (no clear signals or mixed signals): → Ask (using AskUserQuestion): "Is this a bug fix or a new feature?"

Step 3C: Scope Router (features only)

For TYPE = bug, skip scope routing — always route to bug-spec.

For TYPE = feature, apply the severity-aware scope router:

1. Read criteria: Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/arn-planning/references/scope-router-criteria.md

2. Supplementary signal (optional): If there is a working tree with changes, run git diff --stat silently as a supplementary signal for file count and cross-module impact. This does not override the description-based assessment but can confirm or adjust estimates.

3. Score each criterion: Rate each of the 6 criteria (low=0, medium=1, high=2), multiply by its weight, and compute the weighted total (0-20).

4. Apply override rules: Check if any override rules from the criteria reference force a minimum tier (e.g., any high-weight criterion scoring "high" forces minimum standard).

5. Map to recommended tier:

   • 0-4 → swift (small, low-risk, additive change)
   • 5-12 → standard (moderate scope or sensitivity)
   • 13-20 → thorough (high complexity, risk, or architectural significance)

Step 3D: Route

Based on TYPE and recommended tier:

• TYPE = bug → Skill: arn-code:arn-code-bug-spec

  • If bug-spec simple path → offer arn-shipping, exit planning
  • If bug-spec produces spec → proceed to G3

• TYPE = feature → Gate G2 (Tier Selection) with the recommended tier

---

Step 4: Gate G2 — Tier Selection

Only reached for TYPE = feature. Present the scope router recommendation and let the user confirm or override.

Show progress:

Planning [<recommended-tier>]: entry -> SCOPE-ROUTER -> spec -> plan -> save -> review-plan -> taskify -> [ready]
                                        ^^^^^^^^^^^^

Present the recommendation as a one-sentence summary: "Based on [key factors], I recommend [tier] for this change."

Ask (using AskUserQuestion):

"Recommended tier: [tier]. How would you like to proceed?"

Options (dynamically ordered — recommended tier is always option 1):

If recommended tier is swift:

1. Swift — Lightweight implementation with change record
2. Standard — Collapsed spec-plan-execute in one session
3. Thorough — Full pipeline with spec, plan, review, and phased execution

If recommended tier is standard:

1. Standard — Collapsed spec-plan-execute in one session
2. Swift — Downgrade to lightweight implementation
3. Thorough — Upgrade to full pipeline

If recommended tier is thorough:

1. Thorough — Full pipeline with spec, plan, review, and phased execution
2. Standard — Downgrade to collapsed spec-plan-execute
3. Swift — Downgrade to lightweight implementation

Based on the user's selection:

• Swift: Skill: arn-code:arn-implementing (with swift intent + the description as context). Exit planning — implementing takes over.

• Standard: Skill: arn-code:arn-implementing (with standard intent + the description as context). Exit planning — implementing takes over.

• Thorough: Proceed to feature spec. If the user upgraded to thorough from a lower recommendation, skip the expert debate question and proceed directly to Skill: arn-code:arn-code-feature-spec. Otherwise, check the expert-debate preference:

  Preference check: Read pipeline.expert-debate using the two-tier lookup chain (see ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/arn-code-ensure-config/references/preferences-schema.md):

  1. Read .arness/workflow.local.yaml — if the file exists and pipeline.expert-debate is present, use that value and note source.
  2. If not found, read ~/.arness/workflow-preferences.yaml — if the file exists and pipeline.expert-debate is present, use that value and note source.
  3. If neither found or key is absent, treat as null (first encounter).

  Branch on the resolved value:

  • If standard: Show status line: "Preference: standard spec, no expert debate ([source])". Auto-proceed to Skill: arn-code:arn-code-feature-spec.

  • If auto: Only propose expert debate when the scope router score is 16 or higher (top-quartile complexity). If score is 16+, present the expert debate gate below. If score is below 16, show status line: "Preference: standard spec (auto mode, score [N] below expert-debate threshold of 16) ([source])". Auto-proceed to Skill: arn-code:arn-code-feature-spec.

  • If ask: Present the expert debate gate below (when scope router total was 16+). If score is below 16, proceed directly to Skill: arn-code:arn-code-feature-spec (expert debate is not applicable at lower scores). Do NOT show the "remember this?" follow-up.

  • If null (or invalid value): Present the expert debate gate below (when scope router total was 16+). If score is below 16, proceed directly to Skill: arn-code:arn-code-feature-spec. After the user answers, show the "remember this?" follow-up (see below).

  Gate (shown when scope router total is 16+ and value is auto with score 16+, ask, null, or invalid):

  Ask (using AskUserQuestion):

  "This is a significant feature. How would you like to develop the specification?"

  Options:

  1. Standard feature spec — Single-agent exploration with the architect
  2. Expert debate — Multi-agent debate between architect, UX specialist, and security specialist (higher token cost)

  If Standard feature spec: Skill: arn-code:arn-code-feature-spec If Expert debate: Skill: arn-code:arn-code-feature-spec-teams

  • If feature-spec-teams is unavailable, fall back to standard feature-spec.

  Follow-up (only when preference was null and the gate was shown): After the user answers, ask:

  Ask (using AskUserQuestion):

  "Should Arness remember this choice for future sessions?"

  Options:

  1. Yes, always use standard spec (saves standard to preferences)
  2. Yes, auto-propose debate for complex features (score 16+) (saves auto to preferences)
  3. No, ask me each time

  If Yes (standard): Write standard to ~/.arness/workflow-preferences.yaml under pipeline.expert-debate. Create ~/.arness/ directory and file if they do not exist. If the file already exists, read it first, add or update the key under pipeline:, and write back preserving all existing keys. If Yes (auto): Write auto to ~/.arness/workflow-preferences.yaml under pipeline.expert-debate (same write logic). If No: Write ask to ~/.arness/workflow-preferences.yaml under pipeline.expert-debate (same write logic).

  After spec completes, proceed to G3.

---

Step 5: Gate G3 — Spec Review

Show progress:

Planning [thorough]: entry -> scope-router -> SPEC -> plan -> save -> review-plan -> taskify -> [ready]
                                              ^^^^

Preference check: Read pipeline.spec-review using the two-tier lookup chain (see ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/arn-code-ensure-config/references/preferences-schema.md):

1. Read .arness/workflow.local.yaml — if the file exists and pipeline.spec-review is present, use that value and note source as "project override in workflow.local.yaml".
2. If not found, read ~/.arness/workflow-preferences.yaml — if the file exists and pipeline.spec-review is present, use that value and note source as "stored in workflow-preferences.yaml".
3. If neither found or key is absent, treat as null (first encounter).

Branch on the resolved value:

• If review: Show status line: "Preference: reviewing spec ([source])". Auto-proceed to spec review — read the spec file and present a summary (problem statement, key requirements, architectural approach, open items). Allow edits. When satisfied, continue to Step 6.

• If proceed: Show status line: "Preference: proceeding to plan ([source])". Auto-proceed to Step 6 (Plan Generation).

• If upload: Check if Issue tracker is none. If none, fall through to the gate below — show the gate but do NOT show the "remember this?" follow-up (the user already has a stored preference; it is just inapplicable in this project because no issue tracker is configured. Do not modify the stored preference). If Issue tracker is not none: show status line "Preference: uploading as issue ([source])". Auto-proceed to Skill: arn-code:arn-code-create-issue with the spec content. After issue is created, exit planning.

• If ask: Present the gate below. Do NOT show the "remember this?" follow-up afterward.

• If null (or invalid value): Present the gate below. After the user answers, show the "remember this?" follow-up (see below).

Gate (shown when value is ask, null, or invalid):

Ask (using AskUserQuestion):

"Spec ready. What next?"

Options:

1. Review spec — View a summary and make edits
2. Proceed to plan — Move to plan generation
3. Upload as issue — Save this spec as an issue to [GitHub/Jira] (only shown if Issue tracker is not none)

If Review spec: Read the spec file and present a summary (problem statement, key requirements, architectural approach, open items). Allow edits. When satisfied, re-present G3.

If Proceed to plan: Continue to Step 6 (Plan Generation).

If Upload as issue: Skill: arn-code:arn-code-create-issue with the spec content. After issue is created, exit planning. "Issue created. Run /arn-planning when ready to plan the implementation."

Follow-up (only when preference was null): After the user answers the gate, ask:

Ask (using AskUserQuestion):

"Should Arness remember this choice for future sessions?"

Options:

1. Yes, always [chosen action] (saves to preferences)
2. No, ask me each time

If Yes: Write the chosen value (review, proceed, or upload) to ~/.arness/workflow-preferences.yaml under pipeline.spec-review. Create ~/.arness/ directory and file if they do not exist. If the file already exists, read it first, add or update the key under pipeline:, and write back preserving all existing keys. If No: Write ask to ~/.arness/workflow-preferences.yaml under pipeline.spec-review (same write logic).

---

Step 6: Plan Generation

Show progress:

Planning [thorough]: entry -> scope-router -> spec -> PLAN -> save -> review-plan -> taskify -> [ready]
                                                       ^^^^

Derive the spec name from the spec filename (e.g., FEATURE_websocket-notifications.md → websocket-notifications) and invoke the plan skill:

Skill: arn-code:arn-code-plan <spec-name>

The plan skill has its own feedback loop — the user iterates with the planner agent until the plan is approved. When it completes, a PLAN_PREVIEW_<spec-name>.md file exists in the plans directory.

---

Step 7: Save Plan (Auto)

Show progress:

Planning [thorough]: entry -> scope-router -> spec -> plan -> SAVE -> review-plan -> taskify -> [ready]
                                                               ^^^^

Inform: "Plan approved. Converting to structured project..."

Skill: arn-code:arn-code-save-plan

Save-plan auto-detects the PLAN_PREVIEW file and creates the project structure (INTRODUCTION.md, phase plans, TASKS.md, PROGRESS_TRACKER.json).

---

Step 8: Gate G4 — Review Plan?

Show progress:

Planning [thorough]: entry -> scope-router -> spec -> plan -> save -> REVIEW-PLAN -> taskify -> [ready]
                                                                       ^^^^^^^^^^^

Preference check: Read pipeline.plan-review using the two-tier lookup chain (see ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/arn-code-ensure-config/references/preferences-schema.md):

1. Read .arness/workflow.local.yaml — if the file exists and pipeline.plan-review is present, use that value and note source.
2. If not found, read ~/.arness/workflow-preferences.yaml — if the file exists and pipeline.plan-review is present, use that value and note source.
3. If neither found or key is absent, treat as null (first encounter).

Branch on the resolved value:

• If review: Show status line: "Preference: reviewing plan before execution ([source])". Auto-proceed to Skill: arn-code:arn-code-review-plan. After review completes, proceed to Step 9.

• If skip: Show status line: "Preference: skipping plan review ([source])". Auto-proceed to Step 9 (Taskify).

• If ask: Present the gate below. Do NOT show the "remember this?" follow-up afterward.

• If null (or invalid value): Present the gate below. After the user answers, show the "remember this?" follow-up (see below).

Gate (shown when value is ask, null, or invalid):

Ask (using AskUserQuestion):

"The structured plan has been created. Review it before execution?"

Options:

1. Review plan (Recommended for complex features) — Validate completeness, consistency, and pattern compliance
2. Skip — Proceed to task creation

If Review plan: Skill: arn-code:arn-code-review-plan If Skip: Proceed to Step 9.

Follow-up (only when preference was null): After the user answers the gate, ask:

Ask (using AskUserQuestion):

"Should Arness remember this choice for future sessions?"

Options:

1. Yes, always [chosen action] (saves to preferences)
2. No, ask me each time

If Yes: Write the chosen value (review or skip) to ~/.arness/workflow-preferences.yaml under pipeline.plan-review. Create ~/.arness/ directory and file if they do not exist. If the file already exists, read it first, add or update the key under pipeline:, and write back preserving all existing keys. If No: Write ask to ~/.arness/workflow-preferences.yaml under pipeline.plan-review (same write logic).

---

Step 9: Taskify (Auto)

Show progress:

Planning [thorough]: entry -> scope-router -> spec -> plan -> save -> review-plan -> TASKIFY -> [ready]
                                                                                      ^^^^^^^

Inform: "Creating task list..."

Skill: arn-code:arn-code-taskify

Taskify converts TASKS.md into Claude Code tasks with dependency management.

---

Step 10: Gate G5 — Completion Handoff

Show progress:

Planning [thorough]: entry -> scope-router -> spec -> plan -> save -> review-plan -> taskify -> [READY]
                                                                                                 ^^^^^

Ask (using AskUserQuestion):

"Planning complete. Your plan is structured and tasks are created. Start implementing?"

Options:

1. Start implementing — Begin execution of the plan
2. Not yet — Exit (run /arn-implementing when ready)

If Start implementing: Skill: arn-code:arn-implementing If Not yet: Exit with: "Run /arn-implementing when ready to start building."

---

Sketch Integration

Sketch is invoked from within arn-code-feature-spec during the spec exploration phase — not at the planning level. When a feature involves UI and ui-patterns.md has a ## Sketch Strategy section, the feature-spec skill proactively offers sketch to the user during the spec conversation.

No action is needed from arn-planning to manage sketch — it is fully delegated to the spec skill.

---

Error Handling

• ## Arness config missing: Handled by Step 0 (ensure-config) — this should not occur if Step 0 completed successfully.
• Issue tracker not configured: Omit "Pick from backlog" at G1 and "Upload as issue" at G3.
• Bug-spec simple path (no spec): "Bug fixed. No planning needed." Offer /arn-shipping or exit.
• Swift or standard redirect from scope router: Chain to /arn-implementing with the selected tier intent. Exit planning.
• Multiple specs or plans during resume: List them and ask which to resume.
• feature-spec-teams unavailable: Fall back to standard arn-code-feature-spec.
• Sub-skill fails: Present the error. Ask: retry / skip / abort.
• User says "stop" or "pause": Show what was completed. Inform: "Run /arn-planning again to resume — artifact detection will pick up where you left off."