page:library-superpowers
Superpowers Extended Methodology (Library) reference
The Superpowers Extended methodology provides a complete agentic software development lifecycle with structured skills, subagent-driven execution, and quality gates at every stage. It enforces disciplined workflows: brainstorm before coding, test before implementing, verify before claiming completion.
Superpowers Extended Methodology
**Source**: pcvelz/superpowers (Community fork of obra/superpowers) **Category**: Full Development Lifecycle / Agentic Software Development **License**: MIT
Overview
The Superpowers Extended methodology provides a complete agentic software development lifecycle with structured skills, subagent-driven execution, and quality gates at every stage. It enforces disciplined workflows: brainstorm before coding, test before implementing, verify before claiming completion.
Process Files
| Process | File | Description | Task Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Workflow | superpowers-workflow.js | Complete lifecycle orchestrator | 12 |
| Brainstorming | brainstorming.js | Socratic design refinement | 5 |
| Writing Plans | writing-plans.js | Bite-sized TDD task planning | 4 |
| Executing Plans | executing-plans.js | Batch execution with checkpoints | 6 |
| Subagent-Driven Dev | subagent-driven-development.js | Fresh agent per task + two-stage review | 6 |
| Test-Driven Dev | test-driven-development.js | RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycles | 7 |
| Systematic Debugging | systematic-debugging.js | 4-phase root cause process | 9 |
| Parallel Agents | dispatching-parallel-agents.js | Concurrent domain solving | 4 |
| Verification | verification-before-completion.js | Evidence-based completion | 3 |
Skills Catalog
| Skill | Directory | Description |
|---|---|---|
| brainstorming | skills/brainstorming/ | Design before code, Socratic refinement |
| writing-plans | skills/writing-plans/ | Bite-sized TDD implementation plans |
| executing-plans | skills/executing-plans/ | Batch execution with checkpoints |
| subagent-driven-development | skills/subagent-driven-development/ | Fresh agent per task, two-stage review |
| test-driven-development | skills/test-driven-development/ | RED-GREEN-REFACTOR iron law |
| systematic-debugging | skills/systematic-debugging/ | 4-phase root cause investigation |
| dispatching-parallel-agents | skills/dispatching-parallel-agents/ | One agent per independent domain |
| using-git-worktrees | skills/using-git-worktrees/ | Workspace isolation |
| finishing-a-development-branch | skills/finishing-a-development-branch/ | Branch completion workflow |
| requesting-code-review | skills/requesting-code-review/ | Dispatch code reviewer |
| receiving-code-review | skills/receiving-code-review/ | Handle review feedback |
| verification-before-completion | skills/verification-before-completion/ | Evidence before claims |
| writing-skills | skills/writing-skills/ | TDD for skill creation |
| using-superpowers | skills/using-superpowers/ | Skill discovery and invocation |
Agents Catalog
| Agent | Directory | Role |
|---|---|---|
| code-reviewer | agents/code-reviewer/ | Senior code reviewer (plan alignment + quality) |
| implementer | agents/implementer/ | Task implementation subagent (TDD, self-review) |
| spec-reviewer | agents/spec-reviewer/ | Spec compliance verification |
| code-quality-reviewer | agents/code-quality-reviewer/ | Code quality assessment (after spec passes) |
Workflow Lifecycle
brainstorming -> writing-plans -> [setup worktree] -> executing-plans OR subagent-driven-development -> verification -> finishing-a-development-branchCross-cutting concerns applied throughout:
test-driven-development- All implementation follows TDDsystematic-debugging- All bug investigation follows 4-phase processverification-before-completion- All claims require evidencerequesting-code-review/receiving-code-review- Review between tasks
Philosophy
- **Test-Driven Development** - Write tests first, always
- **Systematic over ad-hoc** - Process over guessing
- **Complexity reduction** - Simplicity as primary goal
- **Evidence over claims** - Verify before declaring success
- **YAGNI ruthlessly** - Remove unnecessary features from all designs