pincer-planning

Converge top-down framing with bottom-up inventory to generate gap-checked plans.

Updated Aug 23, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/aufrank/agent-skills --skill pincer-planning
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: pincer-planning
Source: https://github.com/aufrank/agent-skills/tree/main/skills/pincer-planning
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/aufrank/agent-skills --skill pincer-planning

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill addresses ambiguity and complexity in planning by creating a robust plan through a bidirectional approach, ensuring all angles are considered.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Bidirectional Planning: Combines top-down strategic framing with bottom-up tactical inventory.
  • Gap Identification: Explicitly surfaces unknowns and areas needing further clarification.
  • Refinement: Iteratively improves plans by flipping perspectives and addressing contradictions.
  • Use Case: When tasked with designing a new marketing campaign with unclear objectives and many potential channels, use this Skill to first define the high-level goals and then inventory all available resources and risks, before converging into a actionable plan.

Quick Start

Use the pincer-planning skill to help break down the problem of launching a new product.

Frequently Asked Questions about pincer-planning

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I break down a complex project with ambiguous goals?▼

Project planning for ambiguous tasks requires a bidirectional approach that converges top-down strategic framing with bottom-up resource inventory. This method explicitly surfaces gaps and unknowns to generate a gap-checked, actionable plan.

What is bidirectional planning and how does it work for problem decomposition?▼

Bidirectional planning is a problem decomposition technique that converges top-down strategic framing with bottom-up tactical inventory. It works by iteratively refining the plan through flipping perspectives and addressing contradictions to ensure all angles are considered.

Do I need structured input for strategic planning and task breakdown?▼

Yes, strategic planning and task breakdown require structured input for goals, constraints, assets, and risks. Providing this structured input is necessary to facilitate the convergent planning process and generate a fully gap-checked plan.

Can I use convergent planning to identify gaps in a marketing campaign strategy?▼

Yes, you can use convergent planning to identify gaps in a marketing campaign strategy. It explicitly surfaces unknowns and areas needing clarification by combining high-level goal definition with an inventory of available resources and risks.

What's the best way to refine a project plan when facing contradictory objectives?▼

The best way to refine a project plan with contradictory objectives is to iteratively flip perspectives and address contradictions directly. This refinement process improves the plan by ensuring all angles are considered through a bidirectional approach.

When should I avoid using a bidirectional planning approach?▼

You should avoid using a bidirectional planning approach for simple tasks that lack ambiguity or design-heavy requirements. This method is specifically designed to solve complexity and ambiguity, making it unnecessary for straightforward projects with clearly defined objectives.