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GLM 5.2 Coding Plan

How GLM 5.2 plans before it codes — and why it matters for complex projects

What is Coding Plan?

Coding Plan is a feature built into GLM 5.2 where the model generates a structured multi-file plan before writing any code. Instead of jumping directly into implementation, it first outputs:

  • A list of files to create or modify
  • The purpose and content of each file
  • Dependencies between files
  • The implementation order

This mirrors how a senior software engineer approaches a complex task and dramatically reduces errors in multi-file projects.

Example: Building a REST API

Prompt: "Create a FastAPI todo app with SQLite, authentication, and tests."

// GLM 5.2 Coding Plan output:
📋 CODING PLAN
Files to create (6 total):
1. main.py — FastAPI app entry point, router registration
2. models.py — SQLAlchemy models: User, Todo
3. database.py — DB connection, session management
4. auth.py — JWT token creation, password hashing
5. routers/todos.py — CRUD endpoints with auth dependency
6. tests/test_todos.py — pytest suite with fixtures
Implementation order: database → models → auth → main → routers → tests

After the plan, GLM 5.2 generates each file in sequence, referencing the plan to maintain consistency.

Coding Plan vs. Zero-Shot

Without Coding Plan
  • • Imports between files break
  • • No consistent naming conventions
  • • Test fixtures don't match models
  • • Auth logic duplicated
  • • Often forgets edge cases
With Coding Plan
  • • Consistent imports across files
  • • Unified naming from the start
  • • Tests written against actual models
  • • Auth centralized as dependency
  • • Plan forces edge case consideration

How to Trigger Coding Plan

Method 1: Automatic (recommended)
GLM 5.2 automatically activates Coding Plan for complex multi-file prompts. Just describe your project clearly.
Method 2: Explicit prompt
Before writing code, create a coding plan listing all files and their purpose. Then implement each file.
Method 3: Via OpenCode
OpenCode automatically uses GLM 5.2's planning mode when configured as the backend model.