| name | planning-with-files |
| description | File-based planning workflow for complex tasks. Create and maintain task_plan.md, findings.md, and progress.md as persistent working memory. |
Planning With Files
Use this skill when the task is complex, long-running, or likely to exceed context continuity.
Use When
- Multi-step tasks (typically 3+ phases)
- Investigations requiring many reads/searches
- Work that spans planning, implementation, and verification
Core Pattern
Context window is volatile; files are durable.
Write key decisions and discoveries to disk early.
Standard Files
task_plan.md: goals, phases, decisions, errors
findings.md: research notes, references, technical findings
progress.md: chronological execution and test log
Workflow
- Initialize files in project root:
bash skills/planning-with-files/scripts/init-session.sh
- Before major decisions, re-read
task_plan.md.
- After every 2 search/view operations, update
findings.md.
- After each phase, update status and
progress.md.
- Before handoff, validate completeness:
bash skills/planning-with-files/scripts/check-complete.sh
Rules
- Do not start complex implementation without
task_plan.md.
- Record all meaningful errors and attempted fixes.
- Do not repeat identical failed actions.
- Keep plans minimal and reversible.
Templates
skills/planning-with-files/templates/task_plan.md
skills/planning-with-files/templates/findings.md
skills/planning-with-files/templates/progress.md