Superpowers
Superpowers is a software development methodology for coding agents, built on composable skills and initial instructions. It guides agents through brainstorming, planning, test-driven development, and subagent-driven execution. It is for developers using AI coding assistants like Claude Code, Cursor, or Gemini CLI who want structured, reliable agent behavior.
🎬 Claude Code + SUPERPOWERS = The End of Vibe Coding? (Full Tutorial) · Eric Tech
✨ Key features
- Automatic skill triggering before coding tasks
- Socratic brainstorming to refine requirements
- Detailed implementation plans with small tasks
- Subagent-driven development with two-stage review
- Enforces test-driven development (RED-GREEN-REFACTOR)
- Git worktree isolation and branch finishing workflows
🎯 Use cases
- Structured feature development with AI agents
- Refining vague ideas into actionable specs
- Running autonomous coding sessions with checkpoints
- Ensuring code quality through systematic review
- Parallel development using git worktrees
📦 Installation
🧰 Requirements: Requires a supported coding agent harness (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor, Gemini CLI) and installation per harness. No API keys or accounts mentioned.
Installation varies by harness. For Claude Code:
/plugin install superpowers@claude-plugins-official
For Cursor:
/add-plugin superpowers
For Gemini CLI:
gemini extensions install https://github.com/obra/superpowers
See README for other harnesses.
🚀 Usage
After installation, Superpowers activates automatically. Start a session with your coding agent and describe what you want to build. The agent will begin brainstorming, then present a design and plan for your approval before implementing.
⚠️ Good to know
Some harnesses lack post-compaction hooks, so very long sessions that compact may lose the bootstrap and require a fresh session. Telemetry is optional and can be disabled.
❓ FAQ
Does Superpowers work with all coding agents?
It supports many, including Claude Code, Cursor, Gemini CLI, and others. Installation differs per harness, and you must install it separately for each.
How does Superpowers enforce test-driven development?
It activates the test-driven-development skill during implementation, which enforces the RED-GREEN-REFACTOR cycle: write a failing test, watch it fail, write minimal code, watch it pass, and commit. Code written before tests is deleted.
Can I disable telemetry?
Yes, set the environment variable SUPERPOOWERS_DISABLE_TELEMETRY to any true value, or honor Claude Code's DISABLE_TELEMETRY or CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC opt-outs.
How do I update Superpowers?
Updates are often automatic, but the method depends on your coding agent. For some, you reinstall with the same command used for installation.
📊 Repository
🤖 Overview, features, install steps and FAQ were generated from the project's README on Sep 4, 2026. Always check the original source before running commands.