5 Plan-First Prompts for Claude Code

Turn on plan mode

In plan mode, Claude Code reads your files and proposes a plan, but makes no edits until you approve.

• Mid-session: press Shift+Tab until the status bar shows ⏸ plan mode on.
• From the start: run claude --permission-mode plan.
• Use it for anything that touches more than one file: a new page, a redesign, a refactor, a new feature for a client.

The 5 prompts

Paste one while plan mode is on. Swap the [brackets] for your task.

1. The scoped plan (for any new feature)

I want to [add a pricing section to the homepage]. Before planning, read the files that are involved and tell me which ones you'd change and why. Then give me a numbered plan with one step per file. Don't touch any file that isn't in the plan.

2. Ask me first (when the brief is fuzzy)

Before you plan [the contact page], ask me up to 5 questions about anything you'd otherwise have to guess: content, layout, behaviour on mobile, and where the form should send. Wait for my answers, then plan.

3. Two options (for design or architecture choices)

Give me two different ways to [build the image gallery]: a simple one and a more flexible one. For each, list the files touched, what's hard about it, and how long it would take to review. Recommend one and explain why in two sentences.

4. The risk check (before touching existing client work)

Plan [replacing the navbar with a mobile-friendly one]. For every step, say what could break (pages, styles, links) and how I'd test it. Put the risky steps last.

5. Small batches (for big jobs)

Split [the full site redesign] into batches that each take under 15 minutes for me to review. Number them. We'll do batch 1 only, then stop so I can check it in the browser before batch 2.

Review the plan before you approve

• Every file in the plan is one you expected. Anything surprising, ask why.
• No new packages, unless you agreed to them.
• Nothing in your "never touch" list (see your CLAUDE.md) is in the plan.
• Each step has a way to test it (a page to open, a command to run).
• Cut or reword steps you don't want, then approve.

After it builds: open the site, test on a phone, and only then move on to the next batch.

Checked against the official docs (Nov 2026): Claude Code docs: Common workflows, Plan before editing