Horizontal Planning Scan

Identify architectural layers and document their roles, interfaces, and data flows.

1|Updated Apr 10, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/firefly-events/plugin-hive --skill horizontal-planning-scan
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: Horizontal Planning Scan
Source: https://github.com/firefly-events/plugin-hive/tree/main/skills/hive/skills/horizontal-plan
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/firefly-events/plugin-hive --skill horizontal-planning-scan

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Horizontal planning helps teams understand cross-layer scope by translating messy design discussions, research findings, and user feedback into a shared architectural map, reducing blind spots and rework.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Layer Inventory: identify every architectural layer touched by the project and summarize its current role.
  • Per-Layer Requirements: exhaustively enumerate what each layer needs to satisfy the overarching goal.
  • Cross-Layer Dependencies: capture how layers connect and what each slice depends on for vertical planning.
  • Layer Map Diagram: provide an ASCII diagram illustrating layers and interactions to anchor discussions.
  • Scope & Risk Summary: highlight the largest work areas and potential unknowns to inform planning.

Quick Start

Summarize a design discussion into a horizontal layer map and identify all layers and their dependencies.

Frequently Asked Questions about Horizontal Planning Scan

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
What is horizontal planning in system design?▼

Horizontal planning is a technique that identifies all architectural layers affected by a project and documents their roles to create a shared architecture map, reducing blind spots and rework.

How do I map cross-layer dependencies for a new software project?▼

To map cross-layer dependencies, you identify every touched architectural layer, exhaustively enumerate per-layer requirements, and capture how layers connect for subsequent vertical planning.

How do I document architecture layers from messy design discussions?▼

You document architecture layers by translating messy design discussions into a layer inventory, specifying concrete artifacts like layer-specific endpoints and data changes, and generating an ASCII layer map diagram.

What's the best way to identify infrastructure and data requirements before vertical planning?▼

The best way to identify requirements is applying project scope to typical system components like data and infrastructure, and highlighting the largest work areas and potential unknowns in a scope summary.

Can I use horizontal planning to document external integrations and data flows?▼

Yes, you can use horizontal planning to document external integrations and data flows by applying the project scope to identify how these layers connect and what each slice depends on.