How to use とりあえず in sentences

Question

I am struggling to understand the word "とりあえず". It seems to mean 'as it stands'. Here is an example sentence as I understand it:

とりあえず計画がありません
'as it stands we have no plans'

Is this correct? Also, I'm sure I've heard it with the imperative.

Answer 1

According to goo (English), とりあえず means:

1. (Before doing any other things,) First of all

   とりあえず母に合格を知らせる。
   Let's first tell mother that (I/we/you..) passed.

2. (Without time (or chance) to do anything else, ) for the time being

   とりあえずけが人に応急処置をした。
   We gave first aid to the injured (as an emergency (a temporary) measure)

In this sense I feel that the example given by the OP is not appropriate. But we can say

とりあえず計画を立てましょう。
Let's first make a plan.

Answer 2

In addition to 'as it stands', it means 'in the mean while' with an implication that it is temporal and with expectations of some other events to follow.

とりあえず、そこを掃除しておけ。
'In the mean while (before I give you further instructions), clean that place.'

とりあえず、ビールを飲む。
'I will drink beer for now before doing anything else.'