Superpowers is Jesse Vincent's (obra) skill set that makes a coding agent follow a fixed software development process.
Its workflows are mandatory, so the agent checks for a relevant skill before any task.What is Superpowers for?
Superpowers · by Jesse Vincent (obra)
Makes the agent follow a mandatory process, so you can hand off real work and come back to a reviewed result.
The agent writes no code until you approve the design, and the skills start automatically at each step.
15
skills
7
workflow steps
2–5
minutes per task
0
commands to memorize
Start with brainstorming
How does Superpowers work?
Take a guess first
When is the agent allowed to write code?
The agent writes no code until you approve the design. That is the first gate in the 7 steps.
Open a step to see what the agent does there.
Explored 1/7
- The agent writes no code yetThe agent asks until you've described what you want, then plays it back for correction. Larger projects get a written design.
brainstormingNeeds your approval on the design to continue
- A new branch and a clean baselineCreates a worktree, runs setup, confirms tests start green.
using-git-worktreesSeparates the work from your current branch
- Tasks of 2 to 5 minutesEvery task has exact file paths, complete code and a verification step.
writing-plansClear enough for a newcomer with no context
- Two ways to runA fresh subagent per task is the most thorough. Running inline in the session is the cheapest.
subagent-driven-developmentA fresh subagent per task, reviewed after eachexecuting-plansAll in one session, one whole-branch review at the end
- Red, green, refactorWrite a failing test, watch it fail, write the minimum code. Code written before its test gets deleted.
test-driven-developmentEnforces the red, green, refactor cycle
- Critical issues block progressChecks the work against the plan and reports issues by severity.
requesting-code-reviewCritical issues block progress
- You choose what happens to the branchConfirms tests, then offers merge, PR, keep or discard.
finishing-a-development-branchCleans up the worktree after you choose
The agent checks for a relevant skill before any task, so you do not call skills by hand.
How is Superpowers different from other skill sets?
vs Agent SkillsAgent Skills pauses for you at each stage. After you approve a plan, Superpowers works through the tasks without asking at each one.vs pstackSuperpowers has one path for building. pstack has 23 playbooks chosen by task type.vs mattpocock/skillsWith Matt's set you combine small skills yourself. Superpowers defines the process and requires the agent to follow it.
When should you use Superpowers?
Use it when
A feature big enough to need a plan
You want long autonomous runs that follow the plan
You want TDD to be non-negotiable
Skip it when
One-line fixes and throwaway scripts
You need security, CI/CD and launch covered
How do you start with Superpowers?
bash
/plugin install superpowers@claude-plugins-officialChoose Superpowers when the work is large enough to need a written plan. After you install it, describe the work and the skills start automatically.