upfront — Claude Code plugin: what it does, how to install
upfront challenges architectural assumptions through structured questioning before allowing code generation in Claude Code.
/plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-community
/plugin install upfront@claude-communityWhat upfront does
The plugin structures development into sequential steps: thinking through pain points, formalizing specifications, planning architecture, and phased execution. The assistant avoids writing code right away. It interrogates the plan, challenges vague answers, and records accepted tradeoffs.
All context is stored in specs/ARCHITECTURE.md and specs/DECISIONS.md. When an architecture document sits untouched for over 30 days while commits land, the tool spots the drift. It refuses to proceed until discrepancies between the document and actual code are resolved.
Implementation work gets divided into phases around 400 lines of code. For every phase, upfront initializes an isolated sub-agent with a clean context, enforcing a test-driven workflow before code merges. The tool operates without build pipelines or third-party cloud services.
What it helps with
- Challenge assumptions and design tradeoffs before writing code
- Keep track of design decisions in
specs/DECISIONS.md - Split large features into verified phases of roughly 400 lines
- Spot stale architecture notes when git commits drift ahead
Example prompts for the agent
- Run
/exploreto map out dependencies and buildspecs/ARCHITECTURE.md - Use
/featureto question requirements and draft a behavioral spec - Execute
/planto split the approved spec into isolated build stages
How to install upfront
Plugin marketplace
/plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-community/plugin install upfront@claude-communityStep by step, with commands for each platform: Claude Code plugins: marketplaces, installing, and building your own
Questions about upfront
How do I install upfront in Claude Code?
Add the community marketplace via /plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-community, then install the plugin with /plugin install upfront@claude-community.
What is the main purpose of upfront?
It forces deliberate thinking prior to implementation. The tool questions edge cases, records decisions, and only permits coding once architecture and specs are locked down.
How does upfront handle outdated architecture docs?
If specs/ARCHITECTURE.md is older than 30 days and the repository has new commits, the plugin flags drifts. It compares the file to actual code and requires updates before planning new work.
