extract-todo

name	extract-todo
description	Extracts action items from content and routes to project-specific TODO files. Used by ingest-brain-dump when TODOs are identified in brain dumps.

Extract TODO

Identifies and extracts action items from content, formats them properly, and routes to the appropriate project TODO file.

Trigger Conditions

Called by ingest-brain-dump when content contains action items. Can also be invoked directly with /extract-todo.

Required Context (Tier 2 Dependencies)

Before extracting TODOs, ensure access to:

1. INTELLECTUAL_LANDSCAPE.md - Project list for routing TODOs (Tier 1, likely already loaded)
2. TODO_MASTER.md - Routing hub for project TODO files

Input

Content containing one or more action items (explicit or implicit).

Process

Step 1: Identify Action Items

Look for:

• Explicit: "I need to...", "TODO:", "Remember to...", "Don't forget..."
• Imperative: "Build X", "Create Y", "Research Z"
• Future intent: "I should...", "I want to...", "I will..."
• Questions that imply action: "How do I...?" → Research task

Step 2: Determine Project TODO File

Route each TODO to the appropriate project's folder (TODOs are now distributed).

Content Type	Location
FILL_FROM_USER:project_1 related	Projects/__FILL_FROM_USER__:project_1/TODO___FILL_FROM_USER__:project_1.md
FILL_FROM_USER:project_2 related	Projects/__FILL_FROM_USER__:project_2/TODO___FILL_FROM_USER__:project_2.md
Database/Second Brain work	Orientation_Docs/TODO_Second_Brain.md
Inventions (Bits/Atoms)	Inventions/TODO_Inventions.md
Personal tasks/Habits/Learning	Journal_Personal/TODO_Personal_Effectiveness.md
Other writing	Writing_AllElse/TODO_Writing_Other.md
General/unclear	Orientation_Docs/TODO_Miscellaneous.md

Step 3: Format Entry

- [ ] [Action item text] (Source: [date or brain dump ref])

Step 4: Add to Project TODO File

Add directly to the appropriate file in the project's folder (see Step 2 for locations).

Find the appropriate section within that file and add the item.

Step 5: Return Summary

## TODO Extracted

**Action:** [brief description]
**Project:** [project name]
**Added to:** Project_TODOs/TODO_[Project].md

Key Rules

1. Preserve exact language - Don't paraphrase the user's intent
2. One TODO per line - Split compound tasks if needed
3. Include source reference - For traceability
4. Route to correct project file - Based on project/category

Example

Input: "I need to research a researcher's work on a topic and reach out to them about a project idea"

Output:

- [ ] Research [researcher]'s work on [topic] (Source: Dec 25 brain dump)
- [ ] Draft outreach message to [researcher] about [project concept] (Source: Dec 25 brain dump)

Added to: Projects/__FILL_FROM_USER__:project_name/TODO___FILL_FROM_USER__:project_name.md → Outreach section

Project TODO Files (Distributed)

TODOs now live in their project folders. Populate this list to match your routing table above:

• __FILL_FROM_USER__:project_1_todo_path - FILL_FROM_USER:project_1_description
• __FILL_FROM_USER__:project_2_todo_path - FILL_FROM_USER:project_2_description
• Orientation_Docs/TODO_Second_Brain.md - Database work (meta)
• Inventions/TODO_Inventions.md - Bits + Atoms ideas
• Journal_Personal/TODO_Personal_Effectiveness.md - Habits, learning, skills
• Writing_AllElse/TODO_Writing_Other.md - Other creative writing
• Orientation_Docs/TODO_Miscellaneous.md - Uncategorized

Integration

Called by: ingest-brain-dump (Step 3 - Route TODOs)