execute-phase

Execute Phase Skill

Execute all pending tasks in a specific development phase using wave-based parallel execution (max 4 agents per wave).

---

How It Works

/execute-phase [phase_number]
      |
      v
  STEP 1: Get phase number (from arg or AskUserQuestion)
      |
      v
  STEP 2: Read progress.json, filter executable tasks
      |
      v
  STEP 3: Group tasks by complexity → assign agent types → plan waves
      |
      v
  STEP 4: WAVE LOOP (max 4 agents per wave)
      |
      |   ┌───────────────────────────────────────────┐
      |   │  4a. Take next batch (up to 4 tasks)      │
      |   │  4b. Spawn agents in parallel (1 message)  │
      |   │  4c. Wait for all agents in wave           │
      |   │  4d. Update progress.json IMMEDIATELY      │
      |   │  4e. Re-filter: find newly unblocked tasks │
      |   │  4f. If more tasks → loop back to 4a       │
      |   └───────────────────────────────────────────┘
      |
      v
  STEP 5: Final report (all waves combined)

Why Waves?

BEFORE (all at once):
  10 agents spawn → context limit reached → phase fails

AFTER (wave-based, max 4):
  Wave 1: [agent][agent][agent][agent] → update progress.json
  Wave 2: [agent][agent][agent]        → update progress.json (includes newly unblocked)
  Wave 3: [agent][agent][agent]        → update progress.json
  Done. All tasks completed across 3 manageable waves.

---

Step 1: Get Phase Number

Option A: From arguments

If the user provides a phase number:

/execute-phase 0
/execute-phase 3
/execute-phase 5

Extract the phase number directly. Do NOT ask questions — proceed to Step 2.

Option B: No argument provided

If the user invokes with no argument (/execute-phase), you MUST use AskUserQuestion:

AskUserQuestion:
  question: "Which phase would you like to execute?"
  header: "Phase"
  options:
    - label: "Phase 0: Foundation"
      description: "Project setup, design tokens, config files"
    - label: "Phase 1: Backend"
      description: "Database schema, migrations, RLS policies"
    - label: "Phase 2: Shared UI"
      description: "Shared components in src/components/"
    - label: "Phase 3: Features"
      description: "Feature modules in src/features/"

If the project has more phases (4, 5, etc.), include them. Read progress.json first to determine which phases exist, then build the options dynamically.

If all tasks in the selected phase are already completed or blocked:

AskUserQuestion:
  question: "All tasks in Phase {N} are {completed/blocked}. What would you like to do?"
  header: "Phase Status"
  options:
    - label: "Pick another phase"
      description: "Choose a different phase to execute"
    - label: "Re-run completed tasks"
      description: "Force re-execution of already completed tasks"
    - label: "Show blocked tasks"
      description: "See which tasks are blocked and why"

---

Step 2: Read progress.json and Analyze Phase

2.1 Locate and read progress.json

Glob: **/progress.json
Read: [found path]

If progress.json does NOT exist:

progress.json not found. Run /complete-plan first to generate the task tracker.

STOP. Do NOT proceed.

2.2 Find the target phase

Parse progress.json and locate the phase object matching the requested phase number.

If the phase does NOT exist:

Phase {N} does not exist in progress.json. Available phases: {list phases}.

STOP.

2.3 Filter executable tasks

From the target phase, collect tasks that meet ALL criteria:

executable_tasks = phase.tasks.filter(task =>
  task.status === "pending" AND
  task.blocked_by.length === 0
)

Categorize the results:

Scenario	Action
executable_tasks is empty, all tasks completed	Report "Phase {N} is already complete." STOP.
executable_tasks is empty, some tasks blocked	Report which tasks are blocked and by what. STOP.
executable_tasks has tasks	Proceed to Step 3.

2.4 Report blocked tasks (if any)

If some tasks in the phase are blocked, list them:

### Blocked Tasks (will not be executed)

| Task | Blocked By | Reason |
|------|------------|--------|
| {id} {name} | {blocked_by IDs} | Dependencies not yet completed |

These tasks will be skipped. Only unblocked pending tasks will be executed.

---

Step 3: Group Tasks by Agent Type and Plan Waves

Split executable_tasks into two groups based on progress.json classification:

small_tasks = executable_tasks.filter(t => t.complexity === "low")
  → Each spawns a potenlab-small-coder agent

high_tasks = executable_tasks.filter(t => t.complexity === "high")
  → Each spawns a potenlab-high-coder agent

Combine and chunk into waves of max 4:

all_executable = [...high_tasks, ...small_tasks]  // high-complexity first (longer running)
total_waves = Math.ceil(all_executable.length / 4)

Report the execution plan before spawning:

### Execution Plan — Phase {N}: {name}

| Task | Complexity | Agent | Files | Reason | Wave |
|------|-----------|-------|-------|--------|------|
| {id} {name} | high | potenlab-high-coder | {estimated_files} | {complexity_reason} | 1 |
| {id} {name} | low | potenlab-small-coder | {estimated_files} | {complexity_reason} | 1 |
| {id} {name} | low | potenlab-small-coder | {estimated_files} | {complexity_reason} | 1 |
| {id} {name} | low | potenlab-small-coder | {estimated_files} | {complexity_reason} | 1 |
| {id} {name} | low | potenlab-small-coder | {estimated_files} | {complexity_reason} | 2 |

**Total tasks:** {count} across {wave_count} wave(s)
**Max parallel agents per wave:** 4
- potenlab-small-coder: {small_count}
- potenlab-high-coder: {high_count}

---

Step 4: Wave-Based Parallel Execution

CRITICAL: Max 4 agents per wave. Update progress.json AFTER EACH wave. Re-filter between waves.

4.0 Initialize wave tracking

all_wave_results = []       // accumulate results across all waves
wave_number = 0

4.1 Wave Loop

Repeat the following until no more executable tasks remain:

4.1a — Filter executable tasks (re-read progress.json each iteration)

Read: docs/progress.json   // MUST re-read — previous wave may have changed it

executable_tasks = phase.tasks.filter(task =>
  task.status === "pending" AND
  task.blocked_by.length === 0
)

IF executable_tasks is empty → EXIT loop, go to Step 5

4.1b — Take the next batch (max 4)

wave_number += 1
wave_batch = executable_tasks.slice(0, 4)   // take up to 4

4.1c — Report wave start

### Wave {wave_number} — Spawning {wave_batch.length} agent(s)

| Task | Agent |
|------|-------|
| {id} {name} | {agent_type} |

4.1d — Spawn wave agents in PARALLEL (single message, max 4 Task calls)

Spawn all agents for THIS wave in ONE message with multiple Task tool calls:

Agent Prompt Template — potenlab-small-coder

For EACH task in wave where complexity === "low":

Task:
  subagent_type: potenlab-small-coder
  description: "Task {task.id}: {task.name}"
  prompt: |
    Execute task {task.id}: {task.name}

    Read ALL plan files first (MANDATORY):
    - docs/dev-plan.md (single source of truth — find task {task.id})
    - docs/frontend-plan.md (component specs if frontend task)
    - docs/backend-plan.md (schema specs if backend task)
    - docs/ui-ux-plan.md (design context)
    - docs/progress.json (task details and dependencies)

    Task details from progress.json:
    - ID: {task.id}
    - Name: {task.name}
    - Domain: {task.domain}
    - Output files: {task.output}
    - Verify steps: {task.verify}
    - Notes: {task.notes}

    Instructions:
    1. Read ALL plans to understand full project context
    2. Find task {task.id} in dev-plan.md for Output, Behavior, Verify details
    3. Check the specialist plan (frontend-plan.md or backend-plan.md) for detailed specs
    4. Check existing code to understand what already exists
    5. Implement the task — write clean, minimal code
    6. Verify against the Verify steps from dev-plan.md

    IMPORTANT:
    - This is a SMALL task (1-2 files). If it seems bigger, report back and do NOT implement.
    - Do NOT update progress.json — the orchestrator handles that after each wave.
    - Follow existing code patterns and project structure.

    When done, return: "COMPLETED: {task.id} — {task.name} | Files: [list of files created/modified]"
    If the task is blocked or too large, return: "BLOCKED: {task.id} — {reason}"

Agent Prompt Template — potenlab-high-coder

For EACH task in wave where complexity === "high":

Task:
  subagent_type: potenlab-high-coder
  description: "Task {task.id}: {task.name}"
  prompt: |
    Execute task {task.id}: {task.name}

    Read ALL plan files first (MANDATORY):
    - docs/dev-plan.md (single source of truth — find task {task.id})
    - docs/frontend-plan.md (component specs if frontend task)
    - docs/backend-plan.md (schema specs if backend task)
    - docs/ui-ux-plan.md (design context)
    - docs/progress.json (task details and dependencies)

    Task details from progress.json:
    - ID: {task.id}
    - Name: {task.name}
    - Domain: {task.domain}
    - Estimated files: {task.estimated_files}
    - Output files: {task.output}
    - Verify steps: {task.verify}
    - Notes: {task.notes}

    Instructions:
    1. Read ALL plans to understand full project context
    2. Find task {task.id} in dev-plan.md for Output, Behavior, Verify details
    3. Check the specialist plan (frontend-plan.md or backend-plan.md) for detailed specs
    4. Check existing code to understand what already exists
    5. Plan the implementation order: Types → API → Logic → Components → Integration
    6. Implement all files for this task
    7. Self-review: check types, imports, circular deps, cross-feature leaks
    8. Verify against the Verify steps from dev-plan.md

    IMPORTANT:
    - This is a COMPLEX task (3+ files, cross-file coordination). Take your time.
    - Do NOT update progress.json — the orchestrator handles that after each wave.
    - Handle all states: loading, error, empty.
    - Follow Bulletproof React structure strictly.

    When done, return: "COMPLETED: {task.id} — {task.name} | Files: [list of files created/modified]"
    If the task is blocked or has issues, return: "BLOCKED: {task.id} — {reason}"

Example — spawning a wave of 4:

[Single message with 4 Task tool calls]

Task 1: potenlab-high-coder  → Task 2.1 (navigation system)
Task 2: potenlab-small-coder → Task 2.2 (design tokens)
Task 3: potenlab-small-coder → Task 2.3 (button component)
Task 4: potenlab-small-coder → Task 2.4 (input component)

Wait for ALL agents in this wave to complete before continuing.

4.1e — Update progress.json IMMEDIATELY after wave completes

This is the key difference from the old approach. After EACH wave:

1. Read current progress.json (fresh read)
2. Process agent results from this wave:

   IF result starts with "COMPLETED:"
     → Set task.status = "completed"
   
   IF result starts with "BLOCKED:"
     → Set task.status = "blocked"
     → Add reason to task.notes
   

3. Remove completed task IDs from ALL blocked_by arrays across ALL phases:

   for each completed_task_id in this wave:
     for each phase in progress.json:
       for each task in phase.tasks:
         task.blocked_by = task.blocked_by.filter(id => id !== completed_task_id)
   

4. Update phase progress count:

   completed_count = phase.tasks.filter(t => t.status === "completed").length
   phase.progress = "{completed_count}/{total_count}"
   
   if all tasks completed → phase.status = "completed"
   else → phase.status = "in_progress"
   

5. Recalculate summary counts:

   summary.total = count of ALL tasks across ALL phases
   summary.completed = count where status === "completed"
   summary.in_progress = count where status === "in_progress"
   summary.pending = count where status === "pending"
   summary.blocked = count where status === "blocked"
   

6. Write updated progress.json:

   Write: docs/progress.json
   

WHY: Updating after each wave means tasks completed in Wave 1 immediately unblock tasks for Wave 2. No waiting until the entire phase finishes.

4.1f — Collect wave results and report wave completion

all_wave_results.push(...wave_results)

Report wave summary inline:

Wave {N} complete: {completed}/{total} tasks succeeded. progress.json updated.

4.1g — Loop back to 4.1a

Go back to step 4.1a to re-filter executable tasks. The progress.json update in 4.1e may have:

• Unblocked new tasks within this phase (dependencies resolved)
• Changed the set of executable tasks

If no more executable tasks exist → exit the loop and proceed to Step 5.

Wave Execution Example

Phase has 10 tasks: 6 pending (unblocked), 4 blocked by others:

Wave 1 (4 agents):
  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐
  │ high-coder  │  │ small-coder │  │ small-coder │  │ small-coder │
  │  Task 2.1   │  │  Task 2.2   │  │  Task 2.3   │  │  Task 2.4   │
  └──────┬──────┘  └──────┬──────┘  └──────┬──────┘  └──────┬──────┘
         └────────────────┴────────────────┴────────────────┘
                                   │
                      Update progress.json ← IMMEDIATE
                      (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 now "completed")
                      (tasks blocked_by these IDs → unblocked)
                                   │
                                   v
Wave 2 (2 remaining + 2 newly unblocked = 4 agents):
  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐
  │ small-coder │  │ high-coder  │  │ small-coder │  │ small-coder │
  │  Task 2.5   │  │  Task 2.6   │  │  Task 2.7*  │  │  Task 2.8*  │
  └──────┬──────┘  └──────┬──────┘  └──────┬──────┘  └──────┬──────┘
         └────────────────┴────────────────┴────────────────┘
                                   │                    * = was blocked,
                      Update progress.json    now unblocked by Wave 1
                                   │
                                   v
Wave 3 (2 remaining newly unblocked):
  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐
  │ small-coder │  │ high-coder  │
  │  Task 2.9*  │  │  Task 2.10* │
  └──────┬──────┘  └──────┬──────┘
         └────────────────┘
                  │
     Update progress.json
                  │
                  v
       All tasks done → Step 5

---

Step 5: Final Report (All Waves Combined)

After the wave loop exits (no more executable tasks), report combined results:

## Phase {N}: {name} — Execution Complete

### Results by Wave

#### Wave 1
| Task | Agent | Status | Files |
|------|-------|--------|-------|
| {id} {name} | potenlab-small-coder | Completed | {files list} |
| {id} {name} | potenlab-high-coder | Completed | {files list} |

#### Wave 2
| Task | Agent | Status | Files |
|------|-------|--------|-------|
| {id} {name} | potenlab-small-coder | Completed | {files list} |
| {id} {name} | potenlab-small-coder | Blocked | {reason} |

### Summary

| Metric | Count |
|--------|-------|
| Total waves | {wave_count} |
| Total tasks executed | {count} |
| Completed | {completed_count} |
| Blocked | {blocked_count} |
| Total agents spawned | {total_agents} |
| potenlab-small-coder | {small_count} |
| potenlab-high-coder | {high_count} |

### Phase Progress

Phase {N}: {completed}/{total} tasks complete

### Newly Unblocked Tasks (across all phases)

| Task | Phase | Was Blocked By |
|------|-------|---------------|
| {id} {name} | {phase} | {previously blocked by completed tasks} |

### Next Steps

1. Review the implemented code for each completed task
2. Run `/execute-phase {N}` again if any tasks remain pending
3. Run `/execute-phase {next_phase}` to continue with the next phase

---

Error Handling

progress.json not found

STOP. Tell user: "Run /complete-plan first to generate progress.json."

Phase has no pending tasks

Report: "All tasks in Phase {N} are already completed or blocked."
Show task statuses. Suggest next phase or show blocked reasons.

Agent fails (crashes, no response)

1. Mark that specific task as still "pending" (don't mark as completed)
2. Report which agent failed and for which task
3. Other agents' results in this wave are still valid — process them normally
4. The task will be retried in the next wave (or next /execute-phase run)

Agent reports BLOCKED

1. Mark task as "blocked" in progress.json
2. Add the reason to task.notes
3. Report to user which task was blocked and why
4. Continue with next wave — don't stop the entire phase

All tasks in phase are blocked

Report which tasks are blocked and by which dependencies.
Show which phases/tasks need to complete first.
Suggest running the blocking phase first.

---

Execution Rules

DO:

• ALWAYS read progress.json before spawning any agents
• ALWAYS check blocked_by is empty before including a task
• ALWAYS limit each wave to a maximum of 4 agents
• ALWAYS update progress.json AFTER EACH WAVE (not after the entire phase)
• ALWAYS re-read progress.json and re-filter executable tasks between waves
• ALWAYS use potenlab-small-coder for complexity: "low" and potenlab-high-coder for complexity: "high"
• ALWAYS remove completed task IDs from blocked_by arrays across ALL phases after each wave
• ALWAYS report newly unblocked tasks so the user knows what's available next
• ALWAYS ask for phase number via AskUserQuestion if not provided in arguments

DO NOT:

• NEVER spawn more than 4 agents in a single wave
• NEVER execute tasks where blocked_by is non-empty
• NEVER execute tasks where status is already "completed"
• NEVER spawn a potenlab-high-coder for a low-complexity task (wastes resources)
• NEVER spawn a potenlab-small-coder for a high-complexity task (will fail or produce poor results)
• NEVER let agents update progress.json — only the orchestrator does that (after each wave)
• NEVER proceed without progress.json
• NEVER skip reporting blocked tasks — the user needs to know
• NEVER assume a phase number — always get it from user arguments or AskUserQuestion
• NEVER wait until the entire phase finishes to update progress.json — update after EACH wave

---

Checklist

• Phase number obtained (from argument or AskUserQuestion)
• progress.json read and parsed
• Target phase found
• Tasks filtered: pending + not blocked
• Tasks grouped by complexity (low → potenlab-small-coder, high → potenlab-high-coder)
• Execution plan reported to user (with wave assignments)
• Wave loop started
• Each wave spawns max 4 agents in a single parallel message
• progress.json updated IMMEDIATELY after each wave completes
• blocked_by arrays cleared for completed tasks (across ALL phases)
• Executable tasks re-filtered between waves (picks up newly unblocked)
• Final report shows results grouped by wave
• Newly unblocked tasks reported