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Plan-Based AI Workflow

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Plan-Based AI Workflowv1.0.0

Structured AI development with plans, phases, and validation

Install:dev-template-ai plan-based-workflow
Website ↗Docs ↗
aiworkflowplanningclaudedevcontainer

Summary​

A structured AI development workflow that guides AI coding assistants through investigation, planning, and phased implementation. Includes CLAUDE.md, 6 portable docs, plan templates, and git safety rules. Designed for human-in-the-loop collaboration.

A structured AI-assisted development workflow with investigation plans, phased implementation, and human-in-the-loop validation. Works with Claude Code and other AI coding assistants.

Quick Start​

  1. Update your terminal (if tools were installed):

    source ~/.bashrc

  2. Read the AI developer guide:

    cat docs/ai-developer/README.md

  3. Create your first plan:

    • Create an INVESTIGATE-*.md or PLAN-*.md in docs/ai-developer/plans/backlog/
    • Or tell your AI assistant: "I want to add feature X"

  4. If your project already had a CLAUDE.md:

    • A template is at docs/ai-developer/CLAUDE-template.md
    • Ask your AI assistant: "Merge CLAUDE-template.md into my CLAUDE.md"

Prerequisites​

No development tools are required. This template installs documentation and workflow files only.

What's Included​

  • 6 portable docs in docs/ai-developer/:

    • README.md — AI developer entry point
    • WORKFLOW.md — End-to-end flow from idea to implementation
    • PLANS.md — Plan structure, templates, and best practices
    • DEVCONTAINER.md — How to work inside the devcontainer
    • GIT.md — Git safety rules and platform operations
    • TALK.md — AI-to-AI testing protocol

  • Plan folder structure:

    • docs/ai-developer/plans/backlog/ — Approved plans waiting for implementation
    • docs/ai-developer/plans/active/ — Currently being worked on
    • docs/ai-developer/plans/completed/ — Done, kept for reference

  • CLAUDE.md — Project instructions for Claude Code, pointing to the docs

  • project-TEMPLATE.md — Skeleton for documenting project-specific setup (rename to project-<your-project>.md)

How It Works​

The workflow follows three stages:

  1. Investigate — Research the problem, evaluate options, document findings in INVESTIGATE-*.md
  2. Plan — Define the solution with phases, tasks, and validation steps in PLAN-*.md
  3. Implement — Work through phases in order, with human confirmation after each phase

Plans move through folders as they progress: backlog/ → active/ → completed/

The AI assistant creates plans, asks for your review, implements phase by phase, and checks in after each phase. You stay in control.

Project Structure​

docs/ai-developer/
├── README.md              # Start here — entry point for AI assistants
├── WORKFLOW.md            # The full development workflow
├── PLANS.md               # How to write plans
├── DEVCONTAINER.md        # Devcontainer guide
├── GIT.md                 # Git safety rules
├── TALK.md                # AI-to-AI testing protocol
└── plans/
    ├── backlog/           # Plans waiting to start
    ├── active/            # Plans in progress
    └── completed/         # Done