planning-with-files

name	planning-with-files
description	Use this by default for non-trivial multi-step work that needs persistent planning, progress tracking, or durable notes on disk. Trigger when a task will likely span multiple tool calls, research steps, verification loops, or enough context that the plan should not live only in transient chat memory.
version	0.1.0

Planning with Files

Work like Manus: use persistent markdown files as your working memory on disk.

This is not just an optional planning style. It should be the default persistence layer for complex Codex work.

Use it proactively when:

• the task will likely take more than a few tool calls
• progress needs to be tracked across phases
• findings or evidence must be preserved while working
• the task may branch, pause, or resume later
• relying on chat context alone would be fragile

Quick Start

Before ANY complex task:

1. Create task_plan.md in the working directory
2. Define phases with checkboxes
3. Update after each phase - mark [x] and change status
4. Read before deciding - refresh goals in attention window

The 3-File Pattern

For every non-trivial task, create THREE files:

File	Purpose	When to Update
task_plan.md	Track phases and progress	After each phase