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Better Plan Mode

Community
jnemargut
better-plan-mode

Planning mode that surfaces a single design decision as a rich HTML document with options, a comparison table, and a recommendation.

Overview

Publisherjnemargut
Repositorybetter-plan-mode
Skill namebetter-plan-mode
Stars
55
Forks
5
Bundled files
1
LicenseMIT
Links
  • Markdown instructions

    A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.

  • Works with any LLM

    AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.

  • 1 bundled files

    Scripts, templates, and references the model can read while it works. Files are read-only and never executed.

  • Open source

    Published by jnemargut on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Better Plan Mode AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

1

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

  1. Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
  2. Choose "Install from GitHub".
  3. Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
    https://github.com/jnemargut/better-plan-mode/tree/main
  4. Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.
Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.
2

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/jnemargut/better-plan-mode.git \
  .claude/skills/better-plan-mode
Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Better Plan Mode in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Better Plan Mode on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Better Plan Mode is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

  • Loaded only when it is needed

    The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.

  • Switch models mid-chat

    Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Better Plan Mode

You are helping the user think through one design decision for what they're building. Each invocation surfaces a single decision, presents it as a rich HTML page, and hands it back to the user.

The user's request is: $ARGUMENTS

Core principles:

  • Write in plain English. Talk like a smart friend.
  • Present exactly 4 options.
  • Always include a recommendation and explain why.
  • Each invocation is self-contained and starts fresh.

PHASE 1 — Understand the Request

Read $ARGUMENTS. If it's empty or too vague, ask one quick question:

"Tell me a bit more about what you're building so I can pick a decision worth thinking about."

Otherwise, proceed.


PHASE 2 — Pick a Decision

Pick a design decision that feels relevant to what the user described. Vary the category each time so the surfaced decision feels fresh:

  • Technical — framework, database, hosting, auth
  • Visual — overall look and feel, color palette, typography
  • Interaction — a key user flow, navigation pattern, onboarding
  • Information Architecture — what's in the nav, page structure

Tell the user briefly:

"Here's a decision worth thinking about for this project: [decision title]. Opening it in your browser now."


PHASE 3 — Generate the Decision HTML

Write a self-contained HTML file to a temp location (e.g. /tmp/decision-[slug].html) following the structure in the HTML TEMPLATE REFERENCE below. It should contain:

  • A header with the decision title and a one-paragraph plain-English description
  • Four option cards (A, B, C, D), each with a name, a short summary, pros, and cons
  • One option marked as "Recommended"
  • A small comparison table

Then open it:

bash
open /tmp/decision-[slug].html

PHASE 4 — Hand It Back

"Take a look at the four options and let me know which one feels right. Run the skill again whenever you want to think through another decision."

The skill ends here.


HTML TEMPLATE REFERENCE

The HTML file should be a single self-contained page with inline CSS. Structure:

html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>[Decision Title]</title>
  <style>
    *, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }
    body {
      font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', system-ui, sans-serif;
      background: #f1f5f9;
      color: #1a1a2e;
      padding: 2rem;
      line-height: 1.6;
    }
    header { text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2rem; max-width: 1000px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; }
    header h1 { font-size: 1.6rem; font-weight: 700; color: #0f172a; }
    .description { font-size: 1rem; color: #475569; margin-top: 0.75rem; max-width: 700px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; }

    .options-grid {
      display: grid;
      grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
      gap: 1.5rem;
      max-width: 1000px;
      margin: 0 auto 2rem;
    }
    .option-card {
      background: white;
      border-radius: 12px;
      border: 2px solid #e2e8f0;
      padding: 1.25rem;
      box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);
    }
    .option-label { font-size: 0.7rem; font-weight: 800; letter-spacing: 0.1em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #64748b; }
    .option-title { font-size: 1.05rem; font-weight: 600; color: #0f172a; margin-top: 0.25rem; }
    .recommended-badge {
      display: inline-block;
      background: #f59e0b;
      color: white;
      padding: 3px 10px;
      border-radius: 999px;
      font-size: 0.65rem;
      font-weight: 700;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      margin-left: 0.5rem;
    }
    .summary { font-size: 0.875rem; color: #334155; margin: 0.75rem 0; }
    .pros, .cons { font-size: 0.8rem; margin-top: 0.5rem; }
    .pros strong { color: #059669; }
    .cons strong { color: #e11d48; }

    .comparison-table {
      width: 100%;
      max-width: 1000px;
      margin: 0 auto;
      border-collapse: collapse;
      background: white;
      font-size: 0.85rem;
      border-radius: 12px;
      overflow: hidden;
      box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);
    }
    .comparison-table th, .comparison-table td {
      padding: 0.75rem 1rem;
      text-align: left;
      border-bottom: 1px solid #f1f5f9;
    }
    .comparison-table th { background: #f8fafc; font-weight: 700; font-size: 0.75rem; text-transform: uppercase; color: #64748b; }

    @media (max-width: 768px) { .options-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } body { padding: 1rem; } }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <header>
    <h1>[Decision Title]</h1>
    <p class="description">[2-4 sentences in plain English explaining what this decision is about and why it matters.]</p>
  </header>

  <div class="options-grid">
    <div class="option-card">
      <span class="option-label">Option A</span>
      <div class="option-title">[Option A name]</div>
      <p class="summary">[Plain English summary of what this option is.]</p>
      <p class="pros"><strong>Pros:</strong> [comma-separated]</p>
      <p class="cons"><strong>Cons:</strong> [comma-separated]</p>
    </div>
    <div class="option-card">
      <span class="option-label">Option B</span>
      <div class="option-title">[Option B name] <span class="recommended-badge">Recommended</span></div>
      <p class="summary">[Plain English summary.]</p>
      <p class="pros"><strong>Pros:</strong> [...]</p>
      <p class="cons"><strong>Cons:</strong> [...]</p>
    </div>
    <div class="option-card">
      <span class="option-label">Option C</span>
      <div class="option-title">[Option C name]</div>
      <p class="summary">[...]</p>
      <p class="pros"><strong>Pros:</strong> [...]</p>
      <p class="cons"><strong>Cons:</strong> [...]</p>
    </div>
    <div class="option-card">
      <span class="option-label">Option D</span>
      <div class="option-title">[Option D name]</div>
      <p class="summary">[...]</p>
      <p class="pros"><strong>Pros:</strong> [...]</p>
      <p class="cons"><strong>Cons:</strong> [...]</p>
    </div>
  </div>

  <table class="comparison-table">
    <thead>
      <tr><th></th><th>A</th><th>B</th><th>C</th><th>D</th></tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
      <tr><td>[Dimension 1]</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td></tr>
      <tr><td>[Dimension 2]</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td></tr>
      <tr><td>[Dimension 3]</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td></tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</body>
</html>

Bundled files

The model reads these on demand while the skill is loaded. They are exposed as readable files and are never executed.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Better Plan Mode AI skill do?

Planning mode that surfaces a single design decision as a rich HTML document with options, a comparison table, and a recommendation.

Why use Better Plan Mode on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Better Plan Mode is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Better Plan Mode in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/jnemargut/better-plan-mode/tree/main. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and bundles its files and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Better Plan Mode?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Better Plan Mode?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Better Plan Mode with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Better Plan Mode AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by jnemargut under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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