Execute implementation tasks from the current plan. Works through tasks sequentially, marks completion, and preserves progress for continuation across sessions. Use when user says "implement", "start coding", "execute plan", or "continue implementation".
Resources
1Install
npx skillscat add lee-to/ai-factory/aif-implement Install via the SkillsCat registry.
Implement - Execute Task Plan
Execute tasks from the plan, track progress, and enable session continuation.
Workflow
Step 0: Check Current State
FIRST: Determine what state we're in:
1. Check for uncommitted changes (git status)
2. Check for plan files (.ai-factory/PLAN.md or branch-named)
3. Check current branchStep 0.0: Resume / Recovery (after a break or after /clear)
If the user is resuming the next day, says the session was abandoned, or you suspect context was lost (e.g. after /clear), rebuild local context from the repo before continuing tasks:
1. git status
2. git branch --show-current
3. git log --oneline --decorate -20
4. (optional) git diff --stat
5. (optional) git stash listThen reconcile plan/task state:
- Ensure the current plan file matches the current branch (PLAN.md takes priority; otherwise branch-named plan).
- Compare
TaskListstatuses vs plan checkboxes.- If code changes for a task appear already implemented but the task is not marked completed, verify quickly and then
TaskUpdate(..., status: "completed")and update the plan checkbox. - If a task is marked completed but the corresponding code is missing (rebase/reset happened), mark it back to pending and discuss with the user.
- If code changes for a task appear already implemented but the task is not marked completed, verify quickly and then
If uncommitted changes exist:
You have uncommitted changes. Commit them first?
- [ ] Yes, commit now (/aif-commit)
- [ ] No, stash and continue
- [ ] CancelIf NO plan file exists but .ai-factory/FIX_PLAN.md exists:
A fix plan was created by /aif-fix in plan mode. Redirect to fix workflow:
Found a fix plan (.ai-factory/FIX_PLAN.md).
This plan was created by /aif-fix and should be executed through the fix workflow
(it creates a patch and handles cleanup automatically).
Running /aif-fix to execute the plan...→ Invoke /aif-fix (without arguments — it will detect FIX_PLAN.md and execute it).
→ STOP — do not continue with implement workflow.
If NO plan file exists AND no FIX_PLAN.md (all tasks completed or fresh start):
No active plan found.
Current branch: feature/user-auth
What would you like to do?
- [ ] Start new feature from current branch
- [ ] Return to main/master and start new feature
- [ ] Create quick task plan (no branch)
- [ ] Nothing, just checking statusBased on choice:
- New feature from current →
/aif-plan full <description> - Return to main →
git checkout main && git pull→/aif-plan full <description> - Quick task →
/aif-plan fast <description>
If plan file exists → continue to Step 0.1
Step 0.1: Load Project Context & Past Experience
Read .ai-factory/DESCRIPTION.md if it exists to understand:
- Tech stack (language, framework, database, ORM)
- Project architecture and conventions
- Non-functional requirements
Read .ai-factory/ARCHITECTURE.md if it exists to understand:
- Chosen architecture pattern and folder structure
- Dependency rules (what depends on what)
- Layer/module boundaries and communication patterns
- Follow these conventions when implementing — file placement, imports, module boundaries
Read .ai-factory/RULES.md if it exists:
- These are project-specific rules and conventions added by the user
- ALWAYS follow these rules when implementing — they override general patterns
- Rules are short, actionable — treat each as a hard requirement
Read all patches from .ai-factory/patches/ if the directory exists:
- Use
Globto find all*.mdfiles in.ai-factory/patches/ - Read each patch to learn from past fixes and mistakes
- Apply lessons learned: avoid patterns that caused bugs, use patterns that prevented them
- Pay attention to Root Cause and Prevention sections — they tell you what NOT to do
Use this context when implementing:
- Follow the specified tech stack
- Use correct import patterns and conventions
- Apply proper error handling and logging as specified
- Avoid pitfalls documented in patches — don't repeat past mistakes
Step 0.1: Find Plan File
Check for plan files in this order:
1. .ai-factory/PLAN.md exists? → Use it (from /aif-plan fast)
2. No .ai-factory/PLAN.md → Check current git branch:
git branch --show-current
→ Look for .ai-factory/plans/<branch-name>.md (e.g., .ai-factory/plans/feature-user-auth.md)
3. No plan files at all → Check .ai-factory/FIX_PLAN.md
→ If exists: invoke /aif-fix (handles its own workflow with patches) and STOPPriority:
.ai-factory/PLAN.md- always takes priority (from/aif-plan fast)- Branch-named file - if no .ai-factory/PLAN.md (from
/aif-plan full) .ai-factory/FIX_PLAN.md- redirect to/aif-fix(from/aif-fixplan mode)
Read the plan file to understand:
- Context and settings (testing, logging preferences)
- Commit checkpoints (when to commit)
- Task dependencies
Step 1: Load Current State
TaskList → Get all tasks with statusFind:
- Next pending task (not blocked, not completed)
- Any in_progress tasks (resume these first)
Step 2: Display Progress
## Implementation Progress
✅ Completed: 3/8 tasks
🔄 In Progress: Task #4 - Implement search service
⏳ Pending: 4 tasks
Current task: #4 - Implement search serviceStep 3: Execute Current Task
For each task:
3.1: Fetch full details
TaskGet(taskId) → Get description, files, context3.2: Mark as in_progress
TaskUpdate(taskId, status: "in_progress")3.3: Implement the task
- Read relevant files
- Make necessary changes
- Follow existing code patterns
- NO tests unless plan includes test tasks
- NO reports or summaries
3.4: Verify implementation
- Check code compiles/runs
- Verify functionality works
- Fix any immediate issues
3.5: Mark as completed
TaskUpdate(taskId, status: "completed")3.6: Update checkbox in plan file
IMMEDIATELY after completing a task, update the checkbox in the plan file:
# Before
- [ ] Task 1: Create user model
# After
- [x] Task 1: Create user modelThis is MANDATORY — checkboxes must reflect actual progress:
- Use
Edittool to change- [ ]to- [x] - Do this RIGHT AFTER each task completion
- Even if deletion will be offered later
- Plan file is the source of truth for progress
3.7: Update .ai-factory/DESCRIPTION.md if needed
If during implementation:
- New dependency/library was added
- Tech stack changed (e.g., added Redis, switched ORM)
- New integration added (e.g., Stripe, SendGrid)
- Architecture decision was made
→ Update .ai-factory/DESCRIPTION.md to reflect the change:
## Tech Stack
- **Cache:** Redis (added for session storage)This keeps .ai-factory/DESCRIPTION.md as the source of truth.
3.7.1: Update AGENTS.md and ARCHITECTURE.md if project structure changed
If during implementation:
- New directories or modules were created
- Project structure changed significantly (new
src/modules/, new API routes directory, etc.) - New entry points or key files were added
→ Update AGENTS.md — refresh the "Project Structure" tree and "Key Entry Points" table to reflect new directories/files.
→ Update .ai-factory/ARCHITECTURE.md — if new modules or layers were added that should be documented in the folder structure section.
Only update if structure actually changed — don't rewrite on every task. Check if new directories were created that aren't in the current structure map.
3.8: Check for commit checkpoint
If the plan has commit checkpoints and current task is at a checkpoint:
✅ Tasks 1-4 completed.
This is a commit checkpoint. Ready to commit?
Suggested message: "feat: add base models and types"
- [ ] Yes, commit now (/aif-commit)
- [ ] No, continue to next task
- [ ] Skip all commit checkpoints3.9: Move to next task or pause
Step 4: Session Persistence
Progress is automatically saved via TaskUpdate.
To pause:
Current progress saved.
Completed: 4/8 tasks
Next task: #5 - Add pagination support
To resume later, run:
/aif-implementTo resume (next session):
/aif-implement→ Automatically finds next incomplete task
Step 5: Completion
When all tasks are done:
## Implementation Complete
All 8 tasks completed.
Branch: feature/product-search
Plan file: .ai-factory/plans/feature-product-search.md
Files modified:
- src/services/search.ts (created)
- src/api/products/search.ts (created)
- src/types/search.ts (created)
What's next?
1. 🔍 /aif-verify — Verify nothing was missed (recommended)
2. 💾 /aif-commit — Commit the changes directlyCheck ROADMAP.md progress:
If .ai-factory/ROADMAP.md exists:
- Read it
- Check if the completed work corresponds to any unchecked milestone
- If yes — mark it
[x]and add entry to the Completed table with today's date - Tell the user which milestone was marked done
Context Cleanup
Context is heavy after implementation. All code changes are saved — suggest freeing space:
AskUserQuestion: Free up context before continuing?
Options:
1. /clear — Full reset (recommended)
2. /compact — Compress history
3. Continue as isSuggest verification:
AskUserQuestion: All tasks complete. Run verification?
Options:
1. Verify first — Run /aif-verify to check completeness (recommended)
2. Skip to commit — Go straight to /aif-commitIf user chooses "Verify first" → suggest invoking /aif-verify.
If user chooses "Skip to commit" → suggest invoking /aif-commit.
Check if documentation needs updating:
Read the plan file settings. If documentation preference is set to "yes" (from /aif-plan full questions), run /aif-docs to update documentation.
If documentation preference is "no" or not set — skip this step silently.
If documentation preference is "yes":
📝 Updating project documentation...→ Invoke /aif-docs to analyze changes and update docs.
Handle plan file after completion:
If
.ai-factory/PLAN.md(from/aif-plan fast):Would you like to delete .ai-factory/PLAN.md? (It's no longer needed) - [ ] Yes, delete it - [ ] No, keep itIf branch-named file (e.g.,
.ai-factory/plans/feature-user-auth.md):- Keep it - documents what was done
- User can delete before merging if desired
Check if running in a git worktree:
Detect worktree context:
# If .git is a file (not a directory), we're in a worktree
[ -f .git ]If we ARE in a worktree, offer to merge back and clean up:
You're working in a parallel worktree.
Branch: <current-branch>
Worktree: <current-directory>
Main repo: <main-repo-path>
Would you like to merge this branch into main and clean up?
- [ ] Yes, merge and clean up (recommended)
- [ ] No, I'll handle it manuallyIf user chooses "Yes, merge and clean up":
Ensure everything is committed — check
git status. If uncommitted changes exist, suggest/aif-commitfirst and wait.Get main repo path:
MAIN_REPO=$(git rev-parse --git-common-dir | sed 's|/\.git$||') BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current)Switch to main repo:
cd "${MAIN_REPO}"Merge the branch:
git checkout main git pull origin main git merge "${BRANCH}"If merge conflict occurs:
⚠️ Merge conflict detected. Resolve manually: cd <main-repo-path> git merge --abort # to cancel # or resolve conflicts and git commit→ STOP here, do not proceed with cleanup.
Remove worktree and branch (only if merge succeeded):
git worktree remove <worktree-path> git branch -d "${BRANCH}"Confirm:
✅ Merged and cleaned up! Branch <branch> merged into main. Worktree removed. You're now in: <main-repo-path> (main)
If user chooses "No, I'll handle it manually", show a reminder:
To merge and clean up later:
cd <main-repo-path>
git merge <branch>
/aif-plan --cleanup <branch>IMPORTANT: NO summary reports, NO analysis documents, NO wrap-up tasks.
Commands
Start/Resume Implementation
/aif-implementContinues from next incomplete task.
Start from Specific Task
/aif-implement 5Starts from task #5 (useful for skipping or re-doing).
Check Status Only
/aif-implement statusShows progress without executing.
Execution Rules
DO:
- ✅ Execute one task at a time
- ✅ Mark tasks in_progress before starting
- ✅ Mark tasks completed after finishing
- ✅ Follow existing code conventions
- ✅ Follow
/aif-best-practicesguidelines (naming, structure, error handling) - ✅ Create files mentioned in task description
- ✅ Handle edge cases mentioned in task
- ✅ Stop and ask if task is unclear
DON'T:
- ❌ Write tests (unless explicitly in task list)
- ❌ Create report files
- ❌ Create summary documents
- ❌ Add tasks not in the plan
- ❌ Skip tasks without user permission
- ❌ Mark incomplete tasks as done
- ❌ Violate
.ai-factory/ARCHITECTURE.mdconventions for file placement and module boundaries
For progress display format, blocker handling, session continuity examples, and full flow examples → see references/IMPLEMENTATION-GUIDE.md
Critical Rules
- NEVER write tests unless task list explicitly includes test tasks
- NEVER create reports or summary documents after completion
- ALWAYS mark task in_progress before starting work
- ALWAYS mark task completed after finishing
- ALWAYS update checkbox in plan file -
- [ ]→- [x]immediately after task completion - PRESERVE progress - tasks survive session boundaries
- ONE task at a time - focus on current task only
CRITICAL: Logging Requirements
ALWAYS add verbose logging when implementing code. For logging guidelines, patterns, and management requirements → read references/LOGGING-GUIDE.md
Key rules: log function entry/exit, state changes, external calls, error context. Use structured logging, configurable log levels (LOG_LEVEL env var).
DO NOT skip logging to "keep code clean" - verbose logging is REQUIRED during implementation, but MUST be configurable.