Superpowers Mode (Specs-Driven Development)
Superpowers mode turns Pando into the builder who will not lay a brick without a plan. First understand what you want, then show you a design and wait for your OK, then write the plan, then build with tests, then check that it really works. It follows the ideas of the superpowers workflow, built into Pando.
You switch it on for one session, when the change deserves the care.
What it does for you
- No surprises. You approve the design before any code is written.
- A written plan for work that touches several files: steps ordered by risk, with a way to check each one.
- Tests first, in small steps.
- Bugs are reproduced before they are fixed, so you know the fix fixes that bug.
- Checked with real results. Pando runs the tests and shows the output; it does not just say “this should work”.
- A second look. It reviews its own changes before showing them to you.
How it feels in practice
You type /superpowers Fix login bug. Instead of jumping into the code, Pando comes back with what it understood and a proposal, and waits. Once you agree, it works through the plan one step at a time, showing test results as it goes. When you close with /superpowers-finish, it takes one more turn to tell you what was done, what was not, and what could come next.
When to use it
| Situation | Superpowers? |
|---|---|
| A change across many files | Yes: it keeps the work in order |
| A new feature with tests | Yes: tests come first |
| Changes that must not break production | Yes: more checkpoints |
| A quick bug fix | No: too much ceremony |
| Trying ideas out | No: too rigid |
It combines with other modes: add /caveman for the same careful process with short answers.
Good to know
- It never touches your git history. While it is on, Pando does not commit, merge or push, does not switch branches, does not throw away work and does not change your git settings.
- Your direct instructions and your project rules (AGENTS.md) always win over the mode.
- Permission prompts work as usual.
- Small or read-only requests skip the ceremony.
- It is always switched on by hand, session by session, and does not survive closing Pando.
- It only switches off when the closing step ends well.
Next steps
- Guide: Change how Pando thinks and talks.
- Reference: Working modes.
- Related: Learning mode to keep a record of what was decided.