Cursor-rules-java 041-planning-plan-mode

Use when creating a plan using Plan model and enhancing structured design plans in Cursor Plan mode for Java implementations. Use when the user wants to create a plan, design an implementation, structure a development plan, or use plan mode for outside-in TDD, feature implementation, or refactoring work. Part of the skills-for-java project

install

source · Clone the upstream repo

git clone https://github.com/jabrena/cursor-rules-java

Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/

T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/jabrena/cursor-rules-java "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/skills/041-planning-plan-mode" ~/.claude/skills/jabrena-cursor-rules-java-041-planning-plan-mode && rm -rf "$T"

manifest: skills/041-planning-plan-mode/SKILL.md

Java Design Plan Creation for Cursor Plan Mode

Guide the process of creating a structured plan using Cursor Plan mode. This is an interactive SKILL. Plans follow a consistent section structure suitable for Java feature implementation, refactoring, or API design.

What is covered in this Skill?

Plan mode workflow: enter Plan mode, gather context, draft plan, iterate
YAML frontmatter: name, overview, todos, isProject
Required sections: Requirements Summary, Approach (with Mermaid), Task List, Execution Instructions, File Checklist, Notes
London Style (outside-in) TDD pattern
Plan execution discipline: update Status after each task before advancing
Plan file path: .cursor/plans/YYYY-MM-DD_<name>.plan.md

Constraints

Gather context before drafting. Include Execution Instructions in every plan. Never advance to next task without updating the plan's Status column.

MANDATORY: Run
```
date
```
before starting to get date prefix for plan filename
MUST: Read the reference template fresh—do not use cached content
MUST: Ask one or two questions at a time; never all at once
MUST: Validate summary ("Does this capture what you need?") before proposing plan creation
MUST: Wait for user to confirm "proceed" before generating the plan
MUST: Include Execution Instructions section in every generated plan

When to use this skill

Create a plan with Cursor Plan mode
Write a plan with Claude Plan mode
Design an implementation plan
Structure a development plan
Create a structured design plan
Refactor the plan
Improve the plan
Update the plan

Reference

For detailed guidance, examples, and constraints, see references/041-planning-plan-mode.md.