---
name: pre-plan-workflow
description: Internal workflow for plan mode — checks MCP for existing work, note schemas, and gate requirements to set the definition floor before planning begins. Triggered automatically when entering plan mode for any non-trivial implementation task.
user-invocable: false
---
# Pre-Plan Workflow — Definition Floor
When entering plan mode, use the MCP to set the **definition floor** before writing your plan.
The definition floor is the baseline of existing work, documentation requirements, and gate constraints that the plan must account for.
**If MCP is unreachable:** Proceed with planning based on conversation context. Note in the plan that MCP state could not be verified — existing work may overlap. Re-check after MCP reconnects.
## Step 1: Check Existing MCP State
Call the health check to see what's already tracked:
```
get_context()
```
**If active or stalled items exist:**
- Identify items related to the current request — avoid planning work that duplicates what's already tracked
- For each relevant active item, call `get_context(itemId=...)` to inspect:
- **Note schema** — which notes are expected for this item's tags
- **Gate status** — which required notes are filled vs. missing, and whether the item can advance
- **Guidance pointer** — authoring guidance for the first unfilled required note
**If no items exist (clean slate):**
- The definition floor is simply "no existing MCP state to account for"
- Proceed with planning, but still check Step 2 for schema awareness
## Step 2: Discover Note Schema Requirements
Read `.taskorchestrator/config.yaml` in the project root (this is a file read, not an MCP call):
- If the file exists, list the discovered schemas and their required notes per phase
- Schemas are defined under `work_item_schemas:` (preferred) or `note_schemas:` (legacy)
- Each schema key (e.g., `feature-implementation`, `bug-fix`) is a **type identifier** — set it as the item's `type` field to activate gate enforcement. Tags can be used for additional categorization but are no longer the primary schema activator.
- Required queue-phase notes define what documentation must exist before work starts
- Required work-phase notes define what must be captured during implementation
- Use `guidancePointer` values from `get_context(itemId=...)` on existing items to understand how to author each note
If no config file exists, the project has no note schemas — items will be schema-free with no gate enforcement. Proceed with planning normally.
**Use schemas to inform the plan:** When a schema applies, each planned task should:
- Note which schema type will be applied at materialization (e.g., `type: "feature-implementation"`)
- Account for required notes — plan sections should naturally produce content that maps to required note keys
- Respect dependency ordering — which tasks block others (these become `BLOCKS` edges)
## Step 3: Plan with MCP Awareness
Structure the plan knowing it will be materialized into MCP items after approval:
- Each planned task should map to **one work item** with clear boundaries — a single unit of work a subagent can own
- Account for **dependency ordering** — which tasks block others (these become `BLOCKS` edges)
- Consider the **hierarchy** — a root container item with child task items is the standard pattern
## Continue with Plan Mode
The prerequisite is complete. Now proceed with plan mode's normal workflow — explore the codebase, understand existing patterns, and design your implementation approach. Use the definition floor from Steps 1-3 to inform your plan.
Once the plan is approved, the post-plan hook will guide you through materialization and implementation dispatch. Do not materialize before approval.