For features that take 4–6 hours, this simple sequence works well:
- Research: gather constraints, edge cases, and existing patterns.
- Design: decide the shape of the solution (interfaces, data flow, tradeoffs).
- Plan: break the work into small, ordered steps with clear checkpoints.
- Implement: execute one step at a time, validating as you go.
Why this helps agent workflows:
- Context window control: each phase keeps only relevant information in focus.
- Quality: decisions are made before coding, so fewer surprises appear late.
- Throughput: smaller checkpoints reduce rework and make progress visible.
A useful rule of thumb:
If a feature is too big to explain in one short plan, it is too big to implement in one pass.
Split it, then run the same sequence again.