# superpowers

> A set of skills that makes coding agents plan, test and review before they write code

- Repository: https://github.com/obra/superpowers
- Category: Agent skills & plugins
- Stars: 303,795 · Forks: 27,064 · Language: Shell · License: MIT
- Experience: Some experience
- Page: https://ir.adyog.com/repos/obra/superpowers/

Coding agents often jump straight into writing code before they understand what you want. Superpowers adds a set of skills, plus initial instructions that make the agent check for them, so it slows down and follows a process first.

When you start building something, the agent asks what you are trying to do and drafts a spec, which it shows you in short sections. After you approve the design, it writes a plan broken into small tasks with exact file paths and verification steps. Then it works through the tasks, using test-driven development and a review after each task (or one review at the end, in the cheaper mode). The README says agents can run for a couple of hours this way without leaving the plan.

The skills trigger on their own, so you do not call them by hand. The README stresses that the workflows are mandatory, not suggestions. The same repository works across many agent tools, and the project does not generally accept new skills from contributors.

## What it does

- **Brainstorm before code**: The brainstorming skill asks questions, explores alternatives and presents the design in sections for you to approve. It saves a design document.
- **Bite-sized implementation plans**: The writing-plans skill splits approved designs into tasks of 2 to 5 minutes, each with file paths, complete code and verification steps.
- **Subagent-driven development**: A fresh subagent handles each task, with a two-stage review for spec compliance and then code quality. An inline executing-plans option is cheaper.
- **Enforced test-driven development**: The RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycle is required: write a failing test, watch it fail, write minimal code, and delete code that was written before tests.
- **Debugging and session diagnosis**: Skills for systematic root-cause debugging and verification before declaring success. A diagnosing-superpowers skill reads a session transcript to explain what went wrong.

## What you could build

- Turn a rough feature idea into an approved design and a step-by-step plan before any code is written.
- Let a coding agent implement a multi-task feature in an isolated git worktree with tests and reviews at each step.
- Debug a stubborn bug with a structured four-phase root-cause process.
- Write and test your own agent skills by following the included writing-skills guide.
- Find out why a skill misfired in an agent session by asking the agent to diagnose the transcript.

## Who it's for

Developers who already use a coding agent such as Claude Code, Codex or Cursor and want it to follow a disciplined workflow; basic familiarity with git and testing helps.

## Get started

Install is per agent tool, so pick the section for yours in the README and run its command. In Claude Code, use the official marketplace command, then start a new session and describe something you want to build to see brainstorming begin.

```
/plugin install superpowers@claude-plugins-official
```
```
gemini extensions install https://github.com/obra/superpowers
```
```
devin plugins install obra/superpowers
```

Tags: skills, coding-agents, tdd, subagents, workflow