Daily Learnings: Wed, Jun 18, 2025

Happiness is found in doing, not merely possessing. — Napoleon Hill

Claude Code: Plan Mode

I spent some time today doing some more digging into Claude Code, including watching this video on the newly-released “Plan Mode”. Cline has had Plan mode for a while, and at first glance it appears that it behaves similarly; but I want to dig in to make sure I understand it better before making any assumptions.

How to enter “Plan Mode”

Hit “SHIFT + TAB” two times while in Claude Code (after running claude in your terminal)

Plan Mode Workflows

Plan > Code
Plan > Spec > Code
- “Spec” means that we should have Claude write the plan to a spec file and then work off of that
- Note that in true plan mode, Claude can’t create files, so the initial plan will propose the content of a “spec” file
- Then you’ll switch to a different mode using “SHIFT+TAB” to move into the build mode, building the spec file.
- Then you’ll use the Spec file to guide Claude Code in the building of actual code

Slash Commands to Consider

There are several custom “slash commands” covered or referenced in this video, all of which can be found at the linked Github repo

/prime

# Context Window Prime

RUN:
git ls-files

READ:
README.md
ai_docs/claude_code_fresh_tutorials.md

/infinite:

**INFINITE AGENTIC LOOP COMMAND**

Think deeply about this infinite generation task. You are about to embark on a sophisticated iterative creation process.

**Variables:**

spec_file: $ARGUMENTS
output_dir: $ARGUMENTS
count: $ARGUMENTS

**ARGUMENTS PARSING:**
Parse the following arguments from "$ARGUMENTS":

1. `spec_file` - Path to the markdown specification file
2. `output_dir` - Directory where iterations will be saved
3. `count` - Number of iterations (1-N or "infinite")

**PHASE 1: SPECIFICATION ANALYSIS**
Read and deeply understand the specification file at `spec_file`. This file defines:

- What type of content to generate
- The format and structure requirements
- Any specific parameters or constraints
- The intended evolution pattern between iterations

Think carefully about the spec's intent and how each iteration should build upon previous work.

**PHASE 2: OUTPUT DIRECTORY RECONNAISSANCE**
Thoroughly analyze the `output_dir` to understand the current state:

- List all existing files and their naming patterns
- Identify the highest iteration number currently present
- Analyze the content evolution across existing iterations
- Understand the trajectory of previous generations
- Determine what gaps or opportunities exist for new iterations

**PHASE 3: ITERATION STRATEGY**
Based on the spec analysis and existing iterations:

- Determine the starting iteration number (highest existing + 1)
- Plan how each new iteration will be unique and evolutionary
- Consider how to build upon previous iterations while maintaining novelty
- If count is "infinite", prepare for continuous generation until context limits

**PHASE 4: PARALLEL AGENT COORDINATION**
Deploy multiple Sub Agents to generate iterations in parallel for maximum efficiency and creative diversity:

**Sub-Agent Distribution Strategy:**

- For count 1-5: Launch all agents simultaneously
- For count 6-20: Launch in batches of 5 agents to manage coordination
- For "infinite": Launch waves of 3-5 agents, monitoring context and spawning new waves

**Agent Assignment Protocol:**
Each Sub Agent receives:

1. **Spec Context**: Complete specification file analysis
2. **Directory Snapshot**: Current state of output_dir at launch time
3. **Iteration Assignment**: Specific iteration number (starting_number + agent_index)
4. **Uniqueness Directive**: Explicit instruction to avoid duplicating concepts from existing iterations
5. **Quality Standards**: Detailed requirements from the specification

**Agent Task Specification:**
\`\`\`
TASK: Generate iteration [NUMBER] for [SPEC_FILE] in [OUTPUT_DIR]

You are Sub Agent [X] generating iteration [NUMBER].

CONTEXT:

- Specification: [Full spec analysis]
- Existing iterations: [Summary of current output_dir contents]
- Your iteration number: [NUMBER]
- Assigned creative direction: [Specific innovation dimension to explore]

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Read and understand the specification completely
2. Analyze existing iterations to ensure your output is unique
3. Generate content following the spec format exactly
4. Focus on [assigned innovation dimension] while maintaining spec compliance
5. Create file with exact name pattern specified
6. Ensure your iteration adds genuine value and novelty

DELIVERABLE: Single file as specified, with unique innovative content
\`\`\`

**Parallel Execution Management:**

- Launch all assigned Sub Agents simultaneously using Task tool
- Monitor agent progress and completion
- Handle any agent failures by reassigning iteration numbers
- Ensure no duplicate iteration numbers are generated
- Collect and validate all completed iterations

**PHASE 5: INFINITE MODE ORCHESTRATION**
For infinite generation mode, orchestrate continuous parallel waves:

**Wave-Based Generation:**

1. **Wave Planning**: Determine next wave size (3-5 agents) based on context capacity
2. **Agent Preparation**: Prepare fresh context snapshots for each new wave
3. **Progressive Sophistication**: Each wave should explore more advanced innovation dimensions
4. **Context Monitoring**: Track total context usage across all agents and main orchestrator
5. **Graceful Conclusion**: When approaching context limits, complete current wave and summarize

**Infinite Execution Cycle:**

\`\`\`
WHILE context_capacity > threshold: 1. Assess current output_dir state 2. Plan next wave of agents (size based on remaining context) 3. Assign increasingly sophisticated creative directions 4. Launch parallel Sub Agent wave 5. Monitor wave completion 6. Update directory state snapshot 7. Evaluate context capacity remaining 8. If sufficient capacity: Continue to next wave 9. If approaching limits: Complete final wave and summarize
\`\`\`

**Progressive Sophistication Strategy:**

- **Wave 1**: Basic functional replacements with single innovation dimension
- **Wave 2**: Multi-dimensional innovations with enhanced interactions
- **Wave 3**: Complex paradigm combinations with adaptive behaviors
- **Wave N**: Revolutionary concepts pushing the boundaries of the specification

**Context Optimization:**

- Each wave uses fresh agent instances to avoid context accumulation
- Main orchestrator maintains lightweight state tracking
- Progressive summarization of completed iterations to manage context
- Strategic pruning of less essential details in later waves

**EXECUTION PRINCIPLES:**

**Quality & Uniqueness:**

- Each iteration must be genuinely unique and valuable
- Build upon previous work while introducing novel elements
- Maintain consistency with the original specification
- Ensure proper file organization and naming

**Parallel Coordination:**

- Deploy Sub Agents strategically to maximize creative diversity
- Assign distinct innovation dimensions to each agent to avoid overlap
- Coordinate timing to prevent file naming conflicts
- Monitor all agents for successful completion and quality

**Scalability & Efficiency:**

- Think deeply about the evolution trajectory across parallel streams
- For infinite mode, optimize for maximum valuable output before context exhaustion
- Use wave-based generation to manage context limits intelligently
- Balance parallel speed with quality and coordination overhead

**Agent Management:**

- Provide each Sub Agent with complete context and clear assignments
- Handle agent failures gracefully with iteration reassignment
- Ensure all parallel outputs integrate cohesively with the overall progression

**ULTRA-THINKING DIRECTIVE:**
Before beginning generation, engage in extended thinking about:

**Specification & Evolution:**

- The deeper implications of the specification
- How to create meaningful progression across iterations
- What makes each iteration valuable and unique
- How to balance consistency with innovation

**Parallel Strategy:**

- Optimal Sub Agent distribution for the requested count
- How to assign distinct creative directions to maximize diversity
- Wave sizing and timing for infinite mode
- Context management across multiple parallel agents

**Coordination Challenges:**

- How to prevent duplicate concepts across parallel streams
- Strategies for ensuring each agent produces genuinely unique output
- Managing file naming and directory organization with concurrent writes
- Quality control mechanisms for parallel outputs

**Infinite Mode Optimization:**

- Wave-based generation patterns for sustained output
- Progressive sophistication strategies across multiple waves
- Context capacity monitoring and graceful conclusion planning
- Balancing speed of parallel generation with depth of innovation

**Risk Mitigation:**

- Handling agent failures and iteration reassignment
- Ensuring coherent overall progression despite parallel execution
- Managing context window limits across the entire system
- Maintaining specification compliance across all parallel outputs

Begin execution with deep analysis of these parallel coordination challenges and proceed systematically through each phase, leveraging Sub Agents for maximum creative output and efficiency.

Example CLAUDE.md File

Found here in the repo:

# CLAUDE.md

This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository.

## Project Overview

This is an experimental project demonstrating the Infinite Agentic Loop pattern using Claude Code's custom slash commands. The project orchestrates multiple AI agents in parallel to generate evolving iterations of themed hybrid UI components based on specifications.

## Key Commands

### Running the Infinite Agentic Loop

\`\`\`bash
claude
\`\`\`

Then use the `/project:infinite` slash command with these variants:

\`\`\`bash

# Single generation

/project:infinite specs/invent_new_ui_v3.md src 1

# Small batch (5 iterations)

/project:infinite specs/invent_new_ui_v3.md src_new 5

# Large batch (20 iterations)

/project:infinite specs/invent_new_ui_v3.md src_new 20

# Infinite mode (continuous generation)

/project:infinite specs/invent_new_ui_v3.md infinite_src_new/ infinite
\`\`\`

## Architecture & Structure

### Command System

The project uses Claude Code's custom commands feature:

- `.claude/commands/infinite.md` - Main infinite loop orchestrator command
- `.claude/commands/prime.md` - Additional command (if present)
- `.claude/settings.json` - Permissions configuration allowing Write, MultiEdit, Edit, and Bash

### Specification-Driven Generation

- Specifications in `specs/` directory define what type of content to generate
- Current main spec: `specs/invent_new_ui_v3.md` - Themed Hybrid UI Component Specification
- Specs define naming patterns, content structure, design dimensions, and quality standards

### Multi-Agent Orchestration Pattern

The infinite command implements sophisticated parallel agent coordination:

1. **Specification Analysis** - Deeply understands the spec requirements
2. **Directory Reconnaissance** - Analyzes existing iterations to maintain uniqueness
3. **Parallel Sub-Agent Deployment** - Launches multiple agents with distinct creative directions
4. **Wave-Based Generation** - For infinite mode, manages successive agent waves
5. **Context Management** - Optimizes context usage across all agents

### Generated Content Organization

- `src/` - Primary output directory for generated UI components
- `src_infinite/` - Alternative output for infinite generation runs
- `legacy/` - Previous iteration attempts and experiments

### Key Implementation Details

- Sub-agents receive complete context including spec, existing iterations, and unique creative assignments
- Parallel execution managed through Task tool with batch sizes optimized by count
- Progressive sophistication strategy for infinite mode waves
- Each iteration must be genuinely unique while maintaining spec compliance

General Tips

Use Correct me if I'm wrong at the end of your prompts to help deter against the sycophancy that all LLMs seem to struggle with
Use think hard or something along those lines to trigger Claude’s reasoning models
“Higher order prompts”: Using spec files to inject prompts into your actual prompt

Final Thoughts

There’s a fundamentally different way to view building software that I want to make sure I’m on top of. If what is proposed in this video is true, it might make the Claude Max plan (at a whopping $200/mo) worth it.