plannotator-visual-explainer

# Plannotator Visual Explainer

Three paths depending on content type. Each has its own references and structure.

## Route by content type

**Implementation plan, design doc, or proposal** → Follow the [Plan path](#plan-path). Read `references/design-system.md` and `references/svg-patterns.md`. Prescriptive structure.

**PR explainer, diff review, or code change walkthrough** → Follow the [PR path](#pr-path). Read `references/design-system.md` and `references/pr-components.md`. Prescriptive structure.

**Everything else** (architecture diagrams, data tables, slide decks, project recaps, general visual explanations) → Follow the [Visual explainer path](#visual-explainer-path). Delegates to nicobailon/visual-explainer with Plannotator theme tokens.

## Delivery

Always deliver via Plannotator's annotation UI. Do NOT use `open` or `xdg-open`.

**Plans/proposals** (user should approve/deny):
```bash
plannotator annotate <file> --render-html --gate
```

**Everything else** (informational):
```bash
plannotator annotate <file> --render-html
```

---

## Plan path

For implementation plans, design docs, feature specs, migration guides, and proposals.

**Before generating, read:**
1. `references/design-system.md` — Plannotator theme tokens, typography, component patterns
2. `references/svg-patterns.md` — inline SVG building blocks for architecture diagrams, flowcharts, data flow

**Document structure (in order, pick what fits):**

1. **Header** — eyebrow label (mono, uppercase), title (serif, large), prompt box (the original brief)
2. **Summary strip** — 3-5 stat cards showing key numbers at a glance (components, endpoints, tables, etc.)
3. **Milestones / timeline** — vertical timeline showing phases without time estimates. Phases show sequence and dependencies, not duration.
4. **Architecture / data flow** — inline SVG diagram. Use for 3+ interacting components. Highlighted boxes for new components, dashed arrows for async paths.
5. **Mockups** — build UI mockups in HTML/CSS directly, not as descriptions
6. **Key code** — dark-theme code blocks with syntax highlighting. Only architecturally significant interfaces/schemas — not every function.
7. **Risks & mitigations** — table with severity badges (HIGH/MED/LOW)
8. **Open questions** — callout cards with decision owner ("Decide with: backend team")

Not every plan needs every section. Skip what doesn't serve the content. Never include time estimates, boilerplate sections, or exhaustive file lists.

**Adapt to the task:** Backend → lead with data flow. Frontend → lead with mockups. Refactoring → lead with before/after diagrams. Infrastructure → lead with architecture.

**Quality bar:** The plan answers "what, why, and how" within 30 seconds of reading. Whitespace is a feature — one idea per viewport.

---

## PR path

For PR walkthroughs, diff reviews, code change explainers, and reviewer guides.

**Before generating, read:**
1. `references/design-system.md` — Plannotator theme tokens, typography, component patterns
2. `references/pr-components.md` — diff rendering, review comment bubbles, risk chips, file cards, before/after panels

**Document structure (in order, pick what fits):**

1. **Header** — PR title, meta strip (file count, +/- lines, branch, author)
2. **TL;DR** — bordered card with primary accent left border. 2-3 sentences. Readers who see nothing else should get the gist.
3. **Why** — motivation and before/after comparison (two-column grid)
4. **File tour** — collapsible cards per file. Each has: file path + badge (NEW/MOD/DEL) + line stats, a "why" paragraph, and important diff hunks. High-risk files expanded, safe files collapsed.
5. **Risk map** — visual chips showing which files need careful review vs. which are mechanical. Three tiers: attention (destructive), medium (warning), safe (success).
6. **Where to focus** — numbered callout cards. Each names a file/function and describes the concern.
7. **Test plan** — checkbox-style verification checklist
8. **Rollout** (if applicable) — phased deployment with feature flags

Use Pierre diffs via CDN for syntax-highlighted inline diffs — see `references/pr-components.md` for the pattern.

---

## Visual explainer path

For architecture diagrams, data tables, slide decks, project recaps, comparisons, and any other visual explanation.

**Before generating:**

1. Ensure `visual-explainer` is installed:
   - Check: `~/.claude/skills/visual-explainer/SKILL.md` or `~/.agents/skills/visual-explainer/SKILL.md`
   - If not found: `npx skills add nicobailon/visual-explainer -g --yes`
2. Read visual-explainer's `SKILL.md` (workflow, diagram types, anti-slop rules)
3. Read the relevant visual-explainer references and templates for your content type
4. Read `references/theme-override.md` — Plannotator tokens replacing Nico's palettes

Follow visual-explainer's structure, component classes (`.ve-card`, `.kpi-card`, `.pipeline`), and anti-slop rules. The only override is the color/typography layer — Plannotator tokens instead of Nico's custom palettes.

---

## Design philosophy (all paths)

- **Whitespace is a feature.** Generous padding, large section gaps. If cramped, add space — don't shrink text.
- **One idea per viewport.** Hero section, then diagram, then detail grid — not all crammed together.
- **Show, don't describe.** A timeline shows sequencing. A diagram shows relationships. A code block shows the interface.
- **No time estimates.** Timelines show phases and dependencies. Never attach hour/day estimates.