Verified project record

obra/superpowers

A skills framework and software development methodology that applies test-driven development and subagent-driven workflows for AI coding agents. It activates before code is written to refine designs, dispatches fresh subagents per task, and runs a RED-GREEN-REFACTOR testing cycle.

Project overview

Project type: AI Agent · AI Coding
Use cases: Coding & Development
Deployment: Refer to project documentation
License: MIT

Best for

Developers and enterprise teams seeking to apply structured planning and test-driven methodologies within their AI coding agent workflows.

Key capabilities

A Socratic design refinement skill that activates prior to code generation to develop and refine project specifications.
Dispatches fresh subagents for each engineering task, utilizing a two-stage review process for spec compliance and code quality.
Enforces a RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycle that requires writing failing tests initially, writing the minimal code to pass tests, and committing upon success.
Provides a 4-phase root cause process for debugging, requiring verification before a task is marked as complete.
Creates isolated workspaces on new branches to support parallel development and clean branch finishing workflows.

Limitations and risks

Must be installed separately within each coding agent harness if the user operates across multiple agents.
Does not generally accept community contributions for new skills.

Getting started

Setup is rated as easy and requires opening a supported coding agent, such as Claude Code, and executing the plugin install command for superpowers.

Evidence and sources

GitHub project description: An agentic skills framework & software development methodology that works.
GitHub repository metadata: skills
README: As soon as it sees that you're building something, it *doesn't* just jump into trying to write code. Instead, it steps back and asks you what you're really trying to do.
README: Your coding agent just has Superpowers.
README: Give your agent Superpowers: [Claude Code](#claude-code), [Antigravity](#antigravity), [Codex App](#codex-app), [Codex CLI](#codex-cli), [Cursor](#cursor), [Factory Droid](#factor…

Reviewed at: 2026-07-16T06:54:42Z