---
title: "Plan — Plan mode: write markdown plan to"
sidebar_label: "Plan"
description: "Plan mode: write markdown plan to"
---

{/* This page is auto-generated from the skill's SKILL.md by website/scripts/generate-skill-docs.py. Edit the source SKILL.md, not this page. */}

# Plan

Plan mode: write markdown plan to .mente/plans/, no exec.

## Skill metadata

| | |
|---|---|
| Source | Bundled (installed by default) |
| Path | `skills/software-development/plan` |
| Version | `1.0.0` |
| Author | Mente |
| License | MIT |
| Tags | `planning`, `plan-mode`, `implementation`, `workflow` |
| Related skills | [`writing-plans`](/user-guide/skills/bundled/software-development/software-development-writing-plans), [`subagent-driven-development`](/user-guide/skills/bundled/software-development/software-development-subagent-driven-development) |

## Reference: full SKILL.md

:::info
The following is the complete skill definition that Mente loads when this skill is triggered. This is what the Mente agent sees as instructions when the skill is active.
:::

# Plan Mode

Use this skill when the user wants a plan instead of execution.

## Core behavior

For this turn, you are planning only.

- Do not implement code.
- Do not edit project files except the plan markdown file.
- Do not run mutating terminal commands, commit, push, or perform external actions.
- You may inspect the repo or other context with read-only commands/tools when needed.
- Your deliverable is a markdown plan saved inside the active workspace under `.mente/plans/`.

## Output requirements

Write a markdown plan that is concrete and actionable.

Include, when relevant:
- Goal
- Current context / assumptions
- Proposed approach
- Step-by-step plan
- Files likely to change
- Tests / validation
- Risks, tradeoffs, and open questions

If the task is code-related, include exact file paths, likely test targets, and verification steps.

## Save location

Save the plan with `write_file` under:
- `.mente/plans/YYYY-MM-DD_HHMMSS-<slug>.md`

Treat that as relative to the active working directory / backend workspace. Mente file tools are backend-aware, so using this relative path keeps the plan with the workspace on local, docker, ssh, modal, and daytona backends.

If the runtime provides a specific target path, use that exact path.
If not, create a sensible timestamped filename yourself under `.mente/plans/`.

## Interaction style

- If the request is clear enough, write the plan directly.
- If no explicit instruction accompanies `/plan`, infer the task from the current conversation context.
- If it is genuinely underspecified, ask a brief clarifying question instead of guessing.
- After saving the plan, reply briefly with what you planned and the saved path.
