actionable ai

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The 3-Step Plan / Build / Test Framework

Plan it in Claude's Plan Mode. Build it together. Test it. Same 3-step framework I use to ship every agent in my businesses, walked through with the inbox agent that replaced my email.

  • The exact 3-step framework I use for every agent I ship: Plan, Build, Test
  • How to use Plan Mode in Claude to design the agent before writing any code
  • The conversational prompt template that gets you a working inbox agent in under 2 hours
  • Advanced appendix: the power-user build prompt for when you want full control

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3-step Plan/Build/Test framework for building your first Claude agent. Inbox triage, draft replies, dashboard interface.

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A look inside

What's inside

01

What You'll Learn

The exact 3 step framework for every agent you ship: Plan, Build, Test How to use Plan Mode in Claude to design the agent before writing a line of code The conversational prompt template that gets you a working inbox agent in under 2 hours Advanced appendix: the power user build

02

What An AI Agent Actually Is

The difference is autonomy.

03

The Plan / Build / Test Framework

Every agent follows the same 3 step pattern.

The rest of the guide

  1. Step 1: PlanOpen Claude Code, enter Plan Mode, and describe how you want your agent to work.
  2. Step 2: BuildOnce you approve the plan, hit Accept and Claude starts scaffolding the project.
  3. Step 3: TestOnce the build is done, Claude runs a test on its own work.
  4. Extend The AgentOnce the inbox agent is shipping, the same Plan/Build/Test framework works for every other system you check manually: Calendar agent: surfaces conflicts, drafts holds for focus time, sends reschedule replies in your voice Slack agent: same logic as inbox, but for Slack DMs and ch
  5. Common Mistakes To AvoidSkipping Plan Mode and going straight to build (this is the number 1 reason agents fail) Approving a vague plan instead of pushing back for specifics Setting auto send instead of draft only (always keep a human in the loop until you trust the voice match) Skipping the credentials
  6. Your Next 60 MinutesMinutes 1 to 5: install Claude Code Desktop.
  7. Advanced Appendix: The Power User Build PromptIf you want full control over the architecture instead of letting Claude propose it, this is the build prompt to start from.
  8. Go DeeperPrefer a printable version?

About the author

Cooper Simson

Founder of Actionable AI. 30,000+ operators read the newsletter.

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