Plan-and-Execute

ELI5 - The Vibe Check

Plan-and-execute is writing the full grocery list before you enter the store instead of wandering the aisles improvising item by item. A planning step lays out every step up front, then a separate execution step just works through the list, only stopping to replan if something on the shelf turns out to be missing. Less wandering, fewer wasted trips down the aisle.

Real Talk

Plan-and-execute is an agent architecture that separates planning from execution: a planning step, often using a stronger or more expensive model, produces an ordered task list, and a cheaper executor model or subagent works through each step in turn, with the plan revised only when execution deviates from what was expected. It reduces token cost and infinite-looping risk compared to agents that re-reason from scratch at every single step.

Show Me The Code

plan:
  - step: "Read failing test output"
    tool: run_tests
  - step: "Locate root cause in payment.service.ts"
    tool: read_file
  - step: "Apply fix and add regression test"
    tool: edit_file
  - step: "Re-run full suite"
    tool: run_tests

When You'll Hear This

"Plan-and-execute cut our token spend in half compared to reasoning at every step." / "The planner drafted eight steps up front, then the executor just ran through them."