A disciplined software development workflow system ported from obra/superpowers to the Amplifier framework.
This project is a port of obra/superpowers by Jesse Vincent to the Amplifier agent framework. The original Superpowers project provides a comprehensive software development workflow for Claude Code, emphasizing TDD, systematic debugging, and structured planning.
Original Project: https://github.com/obra/superpowers
Original Author: Jesse Vincent (@obra)
Original License: MIT
This port adapts the Superpowers philosophy and workflows for the Amplifier ecosystem, converting markdown-based skills into Amplifier recipes with formal approval gates and checkpoint-based resumability.
Superpowers enforces disciplined development practices:
- Test-Driven Development - Write tests first, always
- Systematic Debugging - Root cause before fixes
- Structured Planning - Design → Plan → Execute
- Human Checkpoints - Approval gates at critical points
- Evidence Over Claims - Verify with proof
Load the superpowers bundle which includes foundation:
amplifier --bundle git+https://github.com/ramparte/superpowers@mainInclude just the behavior in your own bundle:
# your-bundle.md
includes:
- bundle: git+https://github.com/microsoft/amplifier-foundation@main
- bundle: git+https://github.com/ramparte/superpowers@main#subdirectory=behaviors/superpowers.yaml| Recipe | Purpose |
|---|---|
superpowers-full-development-cycle.yaml |
Complete end-to-end workflow (recommended) |
brainstorming.yaml |
Refine ideas into designs with approval gate |
writing-plans.yaml |
Create detailed TDD implementation plans |
executing-plans.yaml |
Batch execution with human checkpoints |
subagent-development.yaml |
Fresh agent per task with two-stage review |
git-worktree-setup.yaml |
Create isolated workspace for feature |
finish-branch.yaml |
Complete branch with merge/PR options |
The superpowers-full-development-cycle.yaml meta-recipe composes all workflows into one end-to-end experience:
amplifier run "execute superpowers:recipes/superpowers-full-development-cycle.yaml with feature_name='user-authentication'"Flow:
Brainstorming → [APPROVE] → Planning → [APPROVE] → Worktree → Implementation → [APPROVE] → Finish
Approval Gates (3):
- After design - approve before investing in planning
- After plan - approve before writing code
- After implementation - choose: merge, PR, keep, or discard
Error Handling: Test failures trigger bug-hunter debugging (up to 3 retries), then halt for human decision.
# Start a new feature
amplifier run "execute superpowers:recipes/brainstorming.yaml with topic='user authentication'"
# Create implementation plan
amplifier run "execute superpowers:recipes/writing-plans.yaml with design_path='docs/plans/2026-01-09-auth-design.md'"
# Set up isolated workspace
amplifier run "execute superpowers:recipes/git-worktree-setup.yaml with branch_name='feature/auth'"
# Execute the plan
amplifier run "execute superpowers:recipes/executing-plans.yaml with plan_path='docs/plans/2026-01-09-auth-plan.md'"
# Finish and merge
amplifier run "execute superpowers:recipes/finish-branch.yaml"| Skill | Purpose |
|---|---|
test-driven-development/SKILL.md |
TDD methodology - RED-GREEN-REFACTOR |
systematic-debugging/SKILL.md |
4-phase debugging framework |
verification-before-completion/SKILL.md |
Evidence-based completion checklist |
1. BRAINSTORM
└─ Recipe: brainstorming.yaml
└─ Output: Design document
└─ Gate: Human approves design
2. SETUP WORKSPACE
└─ Recipe: git-worktree-setup.yaml
└─ Output: Isolated worktree with clean baseline
3. WRITE PLAN
└─ Recipe: writing-plans.yaml
└─ Output: Detailed implementation plan
└─ Gate: Human approves plan
4. EXECUTE (choose one)
├─ Option A: executing-plans.yaml
│ └─ Batch execution, human checkpoints between batches
└─ Option B: subagent-development.yaml
└─ Fresh agent per task, two-stage reviews
5. FINISH
└─ Recipe: finish-branch.yaml
└─ Output: Merged code or PR
└─ Gate: Human chooses action
The bundle includes a superpowers-expert agent that:
- Guides users through workflows
- Recommends appropriate recipes
- Explains philosophy and principles
- Enforces TDD and systematic practices
Invoke when users mention "superpowers" or need workflow guidance.
superpowers/
├── bundle.md # Main bundle (includes foundation)
├── behaviors/
│ └── superpowers.yaml # Reusable behavior for composition
├── agents/
│ └── superpowers-expert.md # Expert agent
├── context/
│ ├── philosophy.md # Core principles
│ └── instructions.md # Usage guide
├── recipes/
│ ├── superpowers-full-development-cycle.yaml # Meta-recipe (recommended)
│ ├── brainstorming.yaml
│ ├── writing-plans.yaml
│ ├── executing-plans.yaml
│ ├── subagent-development.yaml
│ ├── git-worktree-setup.yaml
│ └── finish-branch.yaml
├── skills/
│ ├── test-driven-development/
│ │ └── SKILL.md
│ ├── systematic-debugging/
│ │ └── SKILL.md
│ └── verification-before-completion/
│ └── SKILL.md
└── docs/
└── ANALYSIS_SUMMARY.md # Background and comparison
- TDD: No production code without a failing test first
- Debugging: No fixes without root cause investigation
- Verification: No claiming success without evidence
- Jumping to code without understanding requirements
- Skipping tests for "simple" changes
- Multiple fixes at once instead of isolated changes
- Claiming success without verification evidence
- Rationalizing shortcuts ("just this once")
This port adapts obra/superpowers for Amplifier:
| Feature | Original Superpowers | Amplifier Port |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Markdown skills loaded into context | Skills + Recipes with formal structure |
| Workflow | Implicit skill chaining | Declarative YAML recipes |
| Provider | Claude Code only | Multi-provider support |
| Resumability | Plan file tracks task status | Checkpoint-based resumption |
| Two-stage review | Spec + quality loops until approved | Preserved from original |
| Human checkpoints | Implicit ("say 'Ready'") | Formal approval gates |
The original Superpowers already has effective resumability (via task status in plan files) and two-stage review loops. This port preserves those strengths while adding multi-provider support and formal approval gates.
See docs/ANALYSIS_SUMMARY.md for the full comparison.
MIT License - following the original superpowers project.
Special thanks to Jesse Vincent (@obra) for creating the original superpowers project that inspired this port. The philosophy of disciplined development through TDD, systematic debugging, and structured planning is directly derived from his work.
If you find this useful, consider sponsoring Jesse's open source work.