superpowers

Superpowers is an open-source skills framework for AI coding agents. It guides an agent through software development tasks using reusable instructions for design, planning, implementation, debugging, and review. On Linux, you use it inside a supported coding agent rather than launching a separate desktop application.

Its defining choice is to slow down the step between a request and a code change. For a new feature, the documented workflow begins by clarifying the goal and presenting a design for approval. It then creates an implementation plan, works through tasks, calls for tests before implementation, and checks the result before finishing the branch. Git worktrees and subagents can keep implementation tasks separate, while review skills check work against the plan.

Superpowers also includes a systematic debugging skill that directs the agent to investigate a root cause before proposing a fix. A diagnostic skill can examine a session when the framework triggers at the wrong time, fails to trigger, or drifts from its plan. These are useful additions for developers who want to inspect how an agent reached a result, rather than receiving only a final code diff.

What should you consider before using it?

Superpowers is deliberately prescriptive. Design approval, plans, test-first work, and review checkpoints can add useful discipline to a substantial change. They can also add steps to a small edit. Its benefits depend on the coding agent following the skills and on a developer checking the resulting design, code, and tests; the framework itself does not establish that a change is correct.

For a different emphasis, GSD Core organizes work into phases with fresh-context agents and persistent project notes. BMad Method offers a broader set of planning and delivery workflows that can scale with the change. Superpowers is the more direct fit when you specifically want its design-approval, test-driven development, debugging, and review sequence.

Which agents can use Superpowers?

Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Cursor, Gemini CLI, and other hosts are supported. Installation differs between them: Claude Code and Codex have plugin marketplace routes, while OpenCode has its own plugin instructions. If you use several agents on Linux, install Superpowers for each one separately. Check the instructions for your chosen host before installing, because its integration and update steps may differ.