Gave Claude Code Superpowers: How I Transformed AI into a Seasoned Senior Engineer
Published: 2026-01-26
Gave Claude Code Superpowers: How I Transformed AI into a Seasoned Senior Engineer
If you thought Claude Code was fast, wait until you see it with the "Superpowers" framework. This is the end of "coding in the dark."
If you've been following my recent posts, you know I'm a big fan of Claude Code. This tool is awesome, but what I want to show you today takes workflow efficiency to a completely different level.
I'm talking about the Superpowers project, authored by Jesse (known online as obra).
Small disclaimer: I am not the owner of this project. I've been an active user since its early days, and I can honestly say it's one of the best things that has happened to my programming workflow lately.
The Biggest Mistake in Working with AI
Most developers make the same mistake: they ask an AI to "write a function" and then spend hours frustratingly fixing bugs and typos.
Superpowers changes that. It's a set of instructions and skills that force the agent to behave like a seasoned senior engineer, not a reckless junior. It represents a complete software development process that ensures Claude doesn't write a single line of code without solid justification.
The Dream Workflow: How Does It Work in Practice?
When you run Claude Code with Superpowers installed, your interaction with AI stops being chaotic. A specific protocol takes over:
1. Brainstorming Instead of Writing
The agent doesn't jump straight into the editor. First, it asks questions. It extracts specifications, asks about edge cases, and presents a plan in readable fragments for your approval.
2. Implementation Plan (The Foundation)
Before the code is written, an Implementation Plan is created. It is broken down into small tasks (2–5 minutes each). Superpowers promotes "sacred" principles here:
- TDD (Test-Driven Development)
- YAGNI (You Ain't Gonna Need It)
- DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself)
3. Subagent-Driven Development (A Real Breakthrough)
This is where the magic happens. The main agent becomes a "manager." It manages subagents that perform individual tasks, verify their own work, and report progress. This allows Claude to work autonomously for longer periods while strictly sticking to the defined goal.
4. Rigorous Red-Green-Refactor Cycle
The system enforces a process:
- Write a test
- See it fail (Red)
- Write the minimal code to make it pass (Green)
- Clean up the code (Refactor)
Only then do you commit.
What's in the "Skills" Library?
Superpowers isn't just about prompts; it's about real tools (skills) that Claude can invoke:
- Systematic Debugging: A 4-phase process to find the root cause instead of guessing
- Git Worktrees: Working in isolated workspaces, allowing for perfectly clean branch management
- Automated Code Review: Checking code against the plan and quality standards before finishing a task
How to Install Superpowers?
If you already have Claude Code installed, the process is trivial. Just run two commands inside the Claude terminal:
# 1. Add the author's marketplace
/plugin marketplace add opera/superpowers-marketplace
# 2. Install the plugin
/plugin install superpowers@superpowers-marketplace
After installation, type /help, and you will see powerful new commands like /superpowers:brainstorm or /superpowers:execute-plan.
Summary
Superpowers is more than just a set of commands — it's a work philosophy. It prioritizes evidence (tests), systematicity, and a drastic reduction in complexity. Thanks to this, Claude stops being just a "helper" and becomes an autonomous partner.
If Superpowers helps you save time (or make money), I encourage you to support the author on GitHub. Jesse is doing a titanic amount of work for the open-source community.
Link to the repository: https://github.com/obra/superpowers
Let me know in the comments if you've tested such a structured AI workflow! What are your impressions?