Plan Generation

Plan generation is the core intelligence of NikCLI’s planning system, transforming high-level user goals into detailed, executable plans through AI-powered analysis, context awareness, and intelligent decomposition.

Generation Process

Overview

Step-by-Step Flow

Request Analysis: Parse and understand user intent
Context Gathering: Collect project and workspace information
AI Planning: Generate structured plan using AI
Step Generation: Create executable steps with dependencies
Risk Assessment: Evaluate plan safety and complexity
Validation: Check plan integrity and feasibility
Execution Plan: Return validated, executable plan

Plan Generator

Basic Usage

import { PlanGenerator } from '@nikcli/planning'

const generator = new PlanGenerator()

const context: PlannerContext = {
  userRequest: 'Add user authentication to the API',
  projectPath: '/Users/dev/my-project',
  availableTools: toolCapabilities,
  projectAnalysis: {
    fileCount: 150,
    languages: ['typescript', 'javascript'],
    frameworks: ['express', 'prisma'],
    hasTests: true,
    hasDocumentation: true
  },
  userPreferences: {
    riskTolerance: 'moderate',
    preferredTools: ['typescript-tools'],
    excludedOperations: ['database-migrations']
  }
}

const plan = await generator.generatePlan(context)

Plan Structure

interface ExecutionPlan {
  id: string
  title: string
  description: string
  steps: ExecutionStep[]
  todos: PlanTodo[]
  status: 'pending' | 'running' | 'completed' | 'failed'
  estimatedTotalDuration: number
  actualDuration?: number
  riskAssessment: RiskAssessment
  createdAt: Date
  createdBy: string
  context: {
    userRequest: string
    projectPath: string
    relevantFiles?: string[]
    reasoning?: string
    simple?: boolean
  }
}

Request Analysis

Intent Detection

The generator analyzes user requests to understand intent:

interface RequestAnalysis {
  originalRequest: string
  operations: string[]      // ['create', 'update', 'delete', 'read']
  entities: string[]        // ['file', 'test', 'documentation']
  modifiers: string[]       // ['all', 'multiple', 'specific']
  complexity: 'simple' | 'moderate' | 'complex'
  requiresFileSystem: boolean
  requiresAnalysis: boolean
  requiresUserInput: boolean
}

// Example analysis
const analysis = analyzeUserRequest(
  'Create a React component with tests and documentation'
)

// Returns:
{
  operations: ['create'],
  entities: ['component', 'test', 'documentation'],
  complexity: 'moderate',
  requiresFileSystem: true,
  requiresAnalysis: true
}

Operation Detection

// File operations
if (request.includes('create') || request.includes('add')) {
  operations.push('create')
}

if (request.includes('update') || request.includes('modify')) {
  operations.push('update')
}

if (request.includes('delete') || request.includes('remove')) {
  operations.push('delete')
}

if (request.includes('read') || request.includes('show')) {
  operations.push('read')
}

Complexity Assessment

function assessRequestComplexity(request: string): Complexity {
  const indicators = [
    request.includes('multiple'),
    request.includes('all'),
    request.includes('refactor'),
    request.includes('migrate'),
    request.includes('restructure'),
    request.split(' ').length > 10,
    (request.match(/and|or|then|also/g) || []).length > 2
  ]

  const score = indicators.filter(Boolean).length

  if (score >= 4) return 'complex'
  if (score >= 2) return 'moderate'
  return 'simple'
}

Step Generation

Execution Steps

Each step represents an atomic operation:

interface ExecutionStep {
  id: string
  type: 'tool' | 'validation' | 'user_input' | 'decision'
  title: string
  description: string
  toolName?: string
  toolArgs?: Record<string, any>
  dependencies?: string[]
  estimatedDuration?: number
  riskLevel: 'low' | 'medium' | 'high'
  reversible: boolean
  metadata?: Record<string, any>
}

Step Types

Tool Steps

Execute specific tools:

{
  id: 'step-create-file',
  type: 'tool',
  title: 'Create Auth Module',
  description: 'Create authentication module with JWT support',
  toolName: 'write-file-tool',
  toolArgs: {
    filePath: 'src/auth/index.ts',
    content: '// Auth module implementation'
  },
  riskLevel: 'medium',
  reversible: true,
  estimatedDuration: 5000
}

Validation Steps

Verify prerequisites and results:

{
  id: 'step-validate',
  type: 'validation',
  title: 'Validate Request',
  description: 'Check prerequisites and dependencies',
  riskLevel: 'low',
  reversible: true,
  estimatedDuration: 2000
}

User Input Steps

Request user confirmation:

{
  id: 'step-confirm',
  type: 'user_input',
  title: 'Confirm High-Risk Operations',
  description: 'User approval for potentially destructive operations',
  riskLevel: 'low',
  reversible: true,
  estimatedDuration: 10000,
  dependencies: ['step-1', 'step-2']
}

Decision Steps

Evaluate conditions:

{
  id: 'step-decide',
  type: 'decision',
  title: 'Determine Migration Strategy',
  description: 'Choose appropriate database migration approach',
  riskLevel: 'medium',
  reversible: true,
  metadata: {
    conditions: ['hasExistingData', 'hasBackup']
  }
}

Step Generation Strategies

Operation-Specific Steps

function generateOperationSteps(
  operation: string,
  analysis: RequestAnalysis
): ExecutionStep[] {
  switch (operation) {
    case 'create':
      return [{
        id: nanoid(),
        type: 'tool',
        title: 'Create Files',
        description: `Create new ${analysis.entities.join(', ')} files`,
        toolName: 'write-file-tool',
        riskLevel: 'medium',
        reversible: true,
        estimatedDuration: 8000
      }]

    case 'update':
      return [{
        id: nanoid(),
        type: 'tool',
        title: 'Update Files',
        description: `Update existing ${analysis.entities.join(', ')}`,
        toolName: 'replace-in-file-tool',
        riskLevel: 'medium',
        reversible: false,
        estimatedDuration: 6000
      }]

    case 'delete':
      return [{
        id: nanoid(),
        type: 'tool',
        title: 'Delete Files',
        description: `Delete ${analysis.entities.join(', ')}`,
        toolName: 'delete-file-tool',
        riskLevel: 'high',
        reversible: false,
        estimatedDuration: 3000
      }]

    case 'read':
      return [{
        id: nanoid(),
        type: 'tool',
        title: 'Read Files',
        description: `Analyze ${analysis.entities.join(', ')}`,
        toolName: 'read-file-tool',
        riskLevel: 'low',
        reversible: true,
        estimatedDuration: 4000
      }]
  }
}

Dependency Management

// Automatic dependency resolution
const steps: ExecutionStep[] = [
  {
    id: 'step-1',
    title: 'Validate Request',
    dependencies: []
  },
  {
    id: 'step-2',
    title: 'Analyze Project',
    dependencies: ['step-1']  // Depends on validation
  },
  {
    id: 'step-3',
    title: 'Create Files',
    dependencies: ['step-2']  // Depends on analysis
  },
  {
    id: 'step-4',
    title: 'Run Tests',
    dependencies: ['step-3']  // Depends on file creation
  }
]

AI-Powered Generation

Enhanced Planning System

Uses AI to generate comprehensive plans:

import { EnhancedPlanningSystem } from '@nikcli/planning'

const enhancedPlanner = new EnhancedPlanningSystem()

const plan = await enhancedPlanner.generatePlan(
  'Implement GraphQL API with authentication',
  {
    maxTodos: 20,
    includeContext: true,
    showDetails: true,
    saveTodoFile: true
  }
)

AI Planning Prompt

const planningPrompt = `You are an expert project planner. Create a detailed, actionable plan.

Generate a JSON array of todo items with:
{
  "todos": [
    {
      "title": "Clear, actionable title",
      "description": "Detailed description",
      "priority": "low|medium|high|critical",
      "category": "planning|setup|implementation|testing|documentation",
      "estimatedDuration": 30,
      "dependencies": [],
      "tags": ["tag1", "tag2"],
      "commands": ["command1"],
      "files": ["file1.ts"],
      "reasoning": "Why this todo is necessary"
    }
  ]
}

Guidelines:
1. Break down complex tasks into 5-60 minute todos
2. Consider dependencies between tasks
3. Include setup, implementation, testing, documentation
4. Be specific about files and commands
5. Estimate realistic durations
6. Maximum ${maxTodos} todos

Project Context: ${context}
`

Todo Items

interface TodoItem {
  id: string
  title: string
  description: string
  status: 'pending' | 'in_progress' | 'completed' | 'failed' | 'skipped'
  priority: 'low' | 'medium' | 'high' | 'critical'
  category: string
  estimatedDuration: number  // minutes
  actualDuration?: number
  dependencies: string[]
  tags: string[]
  commands?: string[]
  files?: string[]
  reasoning: string
  createdAt: Date
  riskLevel?: 'low' | 'medium' | 'high' | 'critical'
  complexity?: 'simple' | 'moderate' | 'complex'
}

Autonomous Planning

Autonomous Planner

Self-directed planning with AI:

import { AutonomousPlanner } from '@nikcli/planning'

const autonomousPlanner = new AutonomousPlanner(workspacePath)

for await (const event of autonomousPlanner.createAndExecutePlan(
  'Optimize database queries and add caching'
)) {
  switch (event.type) {
    case 'plan_start':
      console.log('🎯 Planning started')
      break
    case 'plan_created':
      console.log(`📋 Plan created: ${event.metadata.todos} steps`)
      break
    case 'todo_complete':
      console.log(`✓ ${event.content}`)
      break
    case 'plan_complete':
      console.log('🎉 Plan completed')
      break
  }
}

Workspace Context Integration

const workspaceContext = workspaceRAG.getContextForTask(userGoal)

// Returns rich context:
{
  projectInfo: {
    name: 'my-api',
    type: 'backend-service',
    stack: ['typescript', 'express', 'prisma']
  },
  relevantFiles: [
    { path: 'src/database/queries.ts', summary: 'Database query layer' },
    { path: 'src/cache/redis.ts', summary: 'Redis cache configuration' }
  ],
  dependencies: {
    runtime: ['express', 'prisma'],
    dev: ['typescript', 'vitest']
  },
  recentChanges: [...]
}

Toolchain Registry

Pre-configured toolchains for common patterns:

const toolchains = {
  'create-react-component': {
    name: 'Create React Component',
    description: 'Create a React component with TypeScript and styling',
    tools: ['analyze_project', 'generate_code', 'write_file', 'execute_command'],
    pattern: 'sequential'
  },
  'setup-api-endpoint': {
    name: 'Setup API Endpoint',
    description: 'Create API endpoint with validation and error handling',
    tools: ['read_file', 'analyze_project', 'generate_code', 'write_file', 'manage_packages'],
    pattern: 'sequential'
  },
  'add-testing': {
    name: 'Add Testing Suite',
    description: 'Set up comprehensive testing',
    tools: ['analyze_project', 'manage_packages', 'generate_code', 'write_file', 'execute_command'],
    pattern: 'parallel-then-sequential'
  }
}

Risk Assessment

Risk Calculation

function assessPlanRisk(steps: ExecutionStep[]): RiskAssessment {
  const destructiveOperations = steps.filter(s => !s.reversible).length
  const fileModifications = steps.filter(s =>
    s.toolName?.includes('write') ||
    s.toolName?.includes('delete') ||
    s.toolName?.includes('replace')
  ).length
  const externalCalls = steps.filter(s =>
    s.toolName?.includes('api') ||
    s.toolName?.includes('network')
  ).length

  let overallRisk: 'low' | 'medium' | 'high' = 'low'

  if (destructiveOperations > 0 || steps.some(s => s.riskLevel === 'high')) {
    overallRisk = 'high'
  } else if (fileModifications > 2 || steps.some(s => s.riskLevel === 'medium')) {
    overallRisk = 'medium'
  }

  return {
    overallRisk,
    destructiveOperations,
    fileModifications,
    externalCalls
  }
}

Enhanced Risk Assessment

function performRiskAssessment(todos: TodoItem[]) {
  const riskFactors: string[] = []
  const mitigationStrategies: string[] = []

  // Destructive operations
  const destructiveOps = todos.filter(t =>
    t.commands?.some(cmd =>
      cmd.includes('rm') ||
      cmd.includes('del') ||
      cmd.includes('sudo')
    )
  )

  if (destructiveOps.length > 0) {
    riskFactors.push(`Contains ${destructiveOps.length} destructive operations`)
    mitigationStrategies.push('Review all destructive commands before execution')
  }

  // File modifications
  const fileModifications = todos.filter(t => t.files && t.files.length > 0)

  if (fileModifications.length > 10) {
    riskFactors.push(`Large number of file modifications (${fileModifications.length})`)
    mitigationStrategies.push('Ensure backups are available')
  }

  // Complex dependencies
  const complexDependencies = todos.filter(t => t.dependencies.length > 3)

  if (complexDependencies.length > 0) {
    riskFactors.push('Complex dependency chains detected')
    mitigationStrategies.push('Execute in dependency order with validation')
  }

  return { riskFactors, mitigationStrategies }
}

Plan Validation

Validation Process

function validatePlan(plan: ExecutionPlan): PlanValidationResult {
  const errors: string[] = []
  const warnings: string[] = []
  const suggestions: string[] = []

  // Check circular dependencies
  if (hasCircularDependencies(plan.steps)) {
    errors.push('Plan contains circular dependencies')
  }

  // Check tool availability
  for (const step of plan.steps) {
    if (step.type === 'tool' && step.toolName) {
      if (!toolCapabilities.has(step.toolName)) {
        errors.push(`Unknown tool: ${step.toolName}`)
      }
    }
  }

  // Risk warnings
  if (plan.riskAssessment.overallRisk === 'high') {
    warnings.push('Plan contains high-risk operations')
  }

  if (plan.riskAssessment.destructiveOperations > 0) {
    warnings.push(
      `Plan includes ${plan.riskAssessment.destructiveOperations} destructive operations`
    )
  }

  // Performance suggestions
  if (plan.estimatedTotalDuration > 300000) {
    suggestions.push('Consider breaking plan into smaller chunks')
  }

  if (plan.steps.length > 20) {
    suggestions.push('Plan has many steps - consider consolidating')
  }

  return {
    isValid: errors.length === 0,
    errors,
    warnings,
    suggestions
  }
}

Circular Dependency Detection

function hasCircularDependencies(steps: ExecutionStep[]): boolean {
  const stepMap = new Map(steps.map(step => [step.id, step]))
  const visited = new Set<string>()
  const recursionStack = new Set<string>()

  function hasCycle(stepId: string): boolean {
    if (recursionStack.has(stepId)) return true
    if (visited.has(stepId)) return false

    visited.add(stepId)
    recursionStack.add(stepId)

    const step = stepMap.get(stepId)
    if (step?.dependencies) {
      for (const depId of step.dependencies) {
        if (hasCycle(depId)) return true
      }
    }

    recursionStack.delete(stepId)
    return false
  }

  return steps.some(step => hasCycle(step.id))
}

Tool Capability Discovery

Tool Registration

const toolCapabilities: PlanningToolCapability[] = [
  {
    name: 'find-files-tool',
    description: 'Find files matching patterns',
    riskLevel: 'low',
    reversible: true,
    estimatedDuration: 3000,
    requiredArgs: ['pattern'],
    optionalArgs: ['options']
  },
  {
    name: 'write-file-tool',
    description: 'Write content to file',
    riskLevel: 'medium',
    reversible: true,
    estimatedDuration: 4000,
    requiredArgs: ['filePath', 'content'],
    optionalArgs: []
  },
  {
    name: 'delete-file-tool',
    description: 'Delete files or directories',
    riskLevel: 'high',
    reversible: false,
    estimatedDuration: 2000,
    requiredArgs: ['filePath'],
    optionalArgs: []
  }
]

Dynamic Tool Discovery

// Auto-discover tools from registry
const availableTools = toolRegistry.listTools().map(name => {
  const metadata = toolRegistry.getToolMetadata(name)
  return {
    name,
    description: metadata.description,
    riskLevel: metadata.riskLevel || 'medium',
    reversible: metadata.reversible ?? true,
    estimatedDuration: metadata.estimatedDuration || 5000,
    requiredArgs: metadata.requiredArgs || [],
    optionalArgs: metadata.optionalArgs || []
  }
})

Plan Templates

Creating Templates

interface PlanTemplate {
  name: string
  description: string
  category: string
  steps: ExecutionStep[]
  variables: Record<string, string>
}

const authTemplate: PlanTemplate = {
  name: 'jwt-authentication',
  description: 'Add JWT-based authentication',
  category: 'security',
  variables: {
    secretKey: 'JWT_SECRET',
    tokenExpiry: '24h',
    refreshTokenExpiry: '7d'
  },
  steps: [
    {
      id: 'install-deps',
      type: 'tool',
      title: 'Install Dependencies',
      description: 'Install jsonwebtoken and bcrypt',
      toolName: 'manage-packages',
      toolArgs: {
        action: 'install',
        packages: ['jsonwebtoken', 'bcrypt']
      },
      riskLevel: 'low',
      reversible: true
    }
    // ... more steps
  ]
}

Using Templates

function applyTemplate(
  template: PlanTemplate,
  variables: Record<string, string>
): ExecutionPlan {
  const steps = template.steps.map(step => ({
    ...step,
    toolArgs: replaceVariables(step.toolArgs, variables)
  }))

  return {
    id: nanoid(),
    title: template.name,
    description: template.description,
    steps,
    // ... rest of plan
  }
}

Best Practices

Effective Planning

✅ DO:

Analyze project context thoroughly
Generate 5-15 steps for optimal execution
Set realistic duration estimates
Define clear dependencies
Include validation steps
Assess risks accurately

❌ DON’T:

Generate overly complex plans (50+ steps)
Skip context analysis
Ignore tool capabilities
Omit risk assessment
Create circular dependencies

Plan Quality

// Good plan structure
const goodPlan = {
  steps: [
    { type: 'validation', title: 'Validate Prerequisites' },
    { type: 'tool', title: 'Analyze Project Structure' },
    { type: 'tool', title: 'Install Dependencies' },
    { type: 'tool', title: 'Create Auth Module' },
    { type: 'tool', title: 'Add Tests' },
    { type: 'validation', title: 'Verify Results' }
  ]
}

// Bad plan structure
const badPlan = {
  steps: [
    { type: 'tool', title: 'Do Everything' }, // Too broad
    { type: 'tool', title: 'Create 50 Files' } // Too many operations
  ]
}

Next Steps

Execution Flow

Learn about plan execution

Plan Templates

Explore pre-built templates

Interactive Planning

Master interactive workflows

Tool System

Understand tool integration

​Plan Generation

​Generation Process

​Overview

​Step-by-Step Flow

​Plan Generator

​Basic Usage

​Plan Structure

​Request Analysis

​Intent Detection

​Operation Detection

​Complexity Assessment

​Step Generation

​Execution Steps

​Step Types

​Tool Steps

​Validation Steps

​User Input Steps

​Decision Steps

​Step Generation Strategies

​Operation-Specific Steps

​Dependency Management

​AI-Powered Generation

​Enhanced Planning System

​AI Planning Prompt

​Todo Items

​Autonomous Planning

​Autonomous Planner

​Workspace Context Integration

​Toolchain Registry

​Risk Assessment

​Risk Calculation

​Enhanced Risk Assessment

​Plan Validation

​Validation Process

​Circular Dependency Detection

​Tool Capability Discovery

​Tool Registration

​Dynamic Tool Discovery

​Plan Templates

​Creating Templates

​Using Templates

​Best Practices

​Effective Planning

​Plan Quality

​Next Steps

Execution Flow

Plan Templates

Interactive Planning

Tool System

Plan Generation

Generation Process

Overview

Step-by-Step Flow

Plan Generator

Basic Usage

Plan Structure

Request Analysis

Intent Detection

Operation Detection

Complexity Assessment

Step Generation

Execution Steps

Step Types

Tool Steps

Validation Steps

User Input Steps

Decision Steps

Step Generation Strategies

Operation-Specific Steps

Dependency Management

AI-Powered Generation

Enhanced Planning System

AI Planning Prompt

Todo Items

Autonomous Planning

Autonomous Planner

Workspace Context Integration

Toolchain Registry

Risk Assessment

Risk Calculation

Enhanced Risk Assessment

Plan Validation

Validation Process

Circular Dependency Detection

Tool Capability Discovery

Tool Registration

Dynamic Tool Discovery

Plan Templates

Creating Templates

Using Templates

Best Practices

Effective Planning

Plan Quality

Next Steps