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Claude Code PM: Revolutionize Your Development with AI-Powered Workflows

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Understanding Claude Code PM: A Practical Workflow for Software Development

Have you ever wondered how to keep your software development projects organized without losing track of ideas or progress? In the world of coding and team collaboration, tools like Claude Code PM come into play. This system combines AI assistance with familiar platforms like GitHub to streamline everything from planning to execution. Let’s walk through what it is, how it works, and why it might fit into your routine. I’ll break it down step by step, answering common questions along the way, so you can see if it’s right for your next project.

What Is Claude Code PM?

Claude Code PM is a workflow designed to help developers and teams build software more effectively. It uses spec-driven development, GitHub issues, Git worktrees, and multiple AI agents that run in parallel. The goal is to turn product requirements into working code while maintaining clear traceability. Instead of jumping straight into coding based on vague ideas, it emphasizes structured planning and collaboration.

Think about a typical project: You start with a big idea, break it into parts, and then code. But often, details get lost, or team members step on each other’s toes. Claude Code PM addresses that by creating a system where every step is documented and visible. It’s built around Claude AI, but integrates deeply with GitHub for real-world teamwork.

Claude Code PM

This image shows the interface in action—clean, focused, and ready for parallel work.

Why Use a Workflow Like This?

Many developers ask: “What’s wrong with my current setup?” Well, common issues include losing context between work sessions, conflicts from parallel coding, requirements changing without records, and hidden progress. Claude Code PM tackles these head-on.

For instance, if you’re working on a memory system feature, the workflow guides you from brainstorming to deployment without shortcuts. It ensures that code traces back to specs, reducing bugs and regrets. Teams report less time lost to switching tasks and faster delivery, but it’s all about building better, not just quicker.

How Does the Workflow Look?

The workflow follows a logical sequence, visualized here:

graph LR
    A[PRD Creation] --> B[Epic Planning]
    B --> C[Task Decomposition]
    C --> D[GitHub Sync]
    D --> E[Parallel Execution]

This diagram outlines the main phases. Let’s dive into each one.

Phase 1: Product Planning

Start with creating a Product Requirements Document (PRD). This is where you brainstorm the feature thoroughly.

How do you create a PRD? Use the command /pm:prd-new memory-system. This launches a guided session to capture the vision, user stories, success criteria, and constraints. The output is a file like .claude/prds/memory-system.md.

Why is this step important? It prevents “vibe coding”—writing code based on loose memories. Instead, everything is written down clearly.

Phase 2: Implementation Planning

Next, turn the PRD into a technical epic. Command: /pm:prd-parse memory-system. This creates an implementation plan with architectural decisions, technical approaches, and dependencies. Output: .claude/epics/memory-system/epic.md.

This phase bridges the gap between ideas and code, ensuring technical feasibility.

Phase 3: Task Decomposition

Break the epic into tasks. Use /pm:epic-decompose memory-system. Each task gets its own file with acceptance criteria, effort estimates, and flags for parallel work. Files like .claude/epics/memory-system/001.md are created.

This makes work actionable and helps spot what can run in parallel.

Phase 4: Syncing with GitHub

Push everything to GitHub: /pm:epic-sync memory-system or the quicker /pm:epic-oneshot memory-system. This creates issues, labels them appropriately, and sets up relationships.

GitHub becomes the central hub, making collaboration easy.

Phase 5: Execution

Start working on issues: /pm:issue-start 1235. Specialized agents handle tasks, updating locally. Sync progress with /pm:issue-sync 1235.

For prioritization, use /pm:next to get the next task with context.

What Makes Claude Code PM Stand Out?

Compare it to traditional methods:

Aspect Traditional Development Claude Code PM System
Context Management Often lost between sessions Persistent across all work
Task Execution Usually serial Parallel agents on independent tasks
Coding Approach Based on memory or vibes Spec-driven with traceability
Progress Visibility Hidden in personal branches Transparent in GitHub issues
Coordination Manual Intelligent prioritization via commands

This table highlights the differences. In traditional setups, you might forget details or block on others. Here, AI agents and GitHub keep things moving.

Why Integrate with GitHub Issues?

A common question: “Why not just use local tools?” GitHub Issues turn solo AI work into team collaboration. Multiple Claude instances or humans can contribute simultaneously. Progress shows in comments, enabling seamless handoffs.

It’s a single source of truth: Issues reflect project state, comments log audits, labels organize. No extra databases needed—it scales with your team.

Core Principles Behind the System

At its heart, the system follows “No Vibe Coding.” Every code line links to a spec through five phases:

  1. Brainstorm: Think deeply about the feature.
  2. Document: Write detailed specs.
  3. Plan: Make explicit technical choices.
  4. Execute: Build precisely as specified.
  5. Track: Keep progress transparent.

This discipline avoids assumptions and builds reliability.

System Architecture Explained

The folder structure looks like this:

.claude/
├── CLAUDE.md          # Always-on instructions (copy to your project's CLAUDE.md)
├── agents/            # Task-oriented agents for context
├── commands/          # Definitions for commands
│   ├── context/       # For creating and updating context
│   ├── pm/            # Project management commands
│   └── testing/       # For priming and executing tests
├── context/           # Project-wide context files
├── epics/             # Local workspace for epics (add to .gitignore)
│   └── [epic-name]/   # Epic details
│       ├── epic.md    # Implementation plan
│       ├── [#].md     # Task files
│       └── updates/   # Progress updates
├── prds/              # PRD files
├── rules/             # Reference rule files
└── scripts/           # Utility scripts

This setup keeps things organized locally while syncing to GitHub.

Detailed Command Reference

Commands are key to using the system. Here’s a breakdown by category.

Initial Setup Commands

  • /pm:init: Installs dependencies like GitHub CLI, authenticates, installs extensions, creates directories, and updates .gitignore.

PRD Commands

  • /pm:prd-new: Starts brainstorming for a new PRD.
  • /pm:prd-parse: Converts PRD to an epic.
  • /pm:prd-list: Lists all PRDs.
  • /pm:prd-edit: Edits a PRD.
  • /pm:prd-status: Shows implementation status.

Epic Commands

  • /pm:epic-decompose: Breaks epic into tasks.
  • /pm:epic-sync: Pushes to GitHub.
  • /pm:epic-oneshot: Decomposes and syncs in one go.
  • /pm:epic-list: Lists epics.
  • /pm:epic-show: Displays epic and tasks.
  • /pm:epic-close: Marks as complete.
  • /pm:epic-edit: Edits details.
  • /pm:epic-refresh: Updates progress from tasks.

Issue Commands

  • /pm:issue-show: Displays issue and sub-issues.
  • /pm:issue-status: Checks status.
  • /pm:issue-start: Begins with an agent.
  • /pm:issue-sync: Pushes updates.
  • /pm:issue-close: Marks complete.
  • /pm:issue-reopen: Reopens.
  • /pm:issue-edit: Edits details.

Workflow Commands

  • /pm:next: Shows next priority issue.
  • /pm:status: Overall dashboard.
  • /pm:standup: Daily report.
  • /pm:blocked: Lists blocked tasks.
  • /pm:in-progress: Lists ongoing work.

Sync Commands

  • /pm:sync: Full sync with GitHub.
  • /pm:import: Imports existing issues.

Maintenance Commands

  • /pm:validate: Checks integrity.
  • /pm:clean: Archives completed work.
  • /pm:search: Searches content.

For a quick summary, use /pm:help.

How Parallel Execution Works

Issues aren’t single tasks—they break into streams like database work, API, UI, tests. Multiple agents run simultaneously in the same worktree.

For example:

  • Analyze: /pm:issue-analyze 1234
  • Launch: /pm:epic-start memory-system
  • Merge: /pm:epic-merge memory-system

This optimizes context: Main thread stays strategic, agents handle details.

GitHub sees clean issues; locally, it’s orchestrated complexity.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Context Preservation: Epics and agents maintain state via files.
  • Parallel Execution: Tasks flagged for concurrency speed things up.
  • GitHub Native: Uses existing tools, no new dependencies.
  • Agent Specialization: Tailored for different work types.
  • Traceability: From PRD to commit.
  • Productivity: Focus on building with auto-prioritization.

Teams see less context switching, parallel tasks, fewer bugs, faster delivery.

An Example Flow in Action

Let’s say you’re building a memory system.

  1. /pm:prd-new memory-system – Brainstorm PRD.
  2. Review and refine.
  3. /pm:prd-parse memory-system – Create epic.
  4. Review epic.
  5. /pm:epic-oneshot memory-system – Decompose and sync, creating issues like #1234 (epic), #1235, #1236.
  6. /pm:issue-start 1235 – Agent works locally.
  7. /pm:issue-sync 1235 – Update GitHub.
  8. /pm:epic-show memory-system – Check status.

This flow turns ideas into code systematically.

Getting Started: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Set Up Claude Code PM

  1. Clone the repository into your project:

    cd path/to/your/project/
git clone https://github.com/automazeio/ccpm.git .

    If you have an existing .claude directory, clone elsewhere and copy contents.

  2. Initialize:

    /pm:init

    This handles GitHub CLI, authentication, gh-sub-issue extension, directories, and .gitignore.

  3. Create CLAUDE.md:

    /init include rules from .claude/CLAUDE.md

    Or /re-init if updating an existing file.

  4. Prime the system:

    /context:create

Now, start with /pm:prd-new your-feature-name.

Local vs. Remote Operations

Operation Handled Locally Handled on GitHub
PRD Creation Yes No
Implementation Planning Yes No
Task Breakdown Yes Yes (after sync)
Execution Yes No
Status Updates Yes Yes (after sync)
Final Deliverables No Yes

This separation keeps local work fast and GitHub as the final authority.

Technical Notes for Implementation

  • GitHub Integration: Uses gh-sub-issue for relationships; falls back to task lists. Epics track sub-tasks via labels like epic:feature.
  • File Naming: Tasks as 001.md, then 1234.md after sync.
  • Design Choices: Avoids Projects API for simplicity; local-first for speed; explicit sync; worktrees for isolation.

FAQ

What if I already have GitHub issues? Can I import them?

Yes, use /pm:import to bring in existing issues and sync them with the local structure.

How do I handle blocked tasks?

Run /pm:blocked to list them, then address dependencies or use /pm:issue-edit to update.

Is this only for solo developers?

No, it’s designed for teams. GitHub makes AI and human collaboration seamless.

What happens if there’s a conflict in parallel work?

Tasks are flagged for parallelization to minimize conflicts, and Git worktrees isolate changes until merge.

How do I check overall project status?

Use /pm:status for a dashboard or /pm:standup for a report.

Can I edit an existing epic or issue?

Yes, /pm:epic-edit or /pm:issue-edit lets you make changes.

Why use worktrees?

They provide clean isolation for parallel agents without messing up your main branch.

How does traceability work?

From PRD to epic, tasks, issues, code, and commits—everything links back.

What if I need to search for something?

/pm:search scans all content.

How do I close an epic?

/pm:epic-close marks it complete, and /pm:clean archives it.

Wrapping Up: Is This Workflow for You?

If you’re tired of scattered notes and unclear progress, Claude Code PM offers a structured alternative. It’s about building with intention, collaborating effectively, and delivering reliable code. Give the setup a try on a small feature and see how it feels. Remember, it’s flexible—adapt the commands to your needs.

This system was developed by folks who ship software daily, so it’s grounded in real use. If it resonates, star the repo or follow for updates. Now, what’s your next feature? Start with that PRD command and build from there.

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