# Planning With Files

> Implements Manus-style file-based planning for complex tasks. Creates task_plan.md, findings.md, and progress.md. Use when starting complex multi-step tasks, research projects, or any task requiring >5 tool calls.

- Skill: `dokhacgiakhoa/planning-with-files` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 14 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dokhacgiakhoa/planning-with-files`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dokhacgiakhoa/planning-with-files/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: Dokhacgiakhoa (https://skillmd.com/u/dokhacgiakhoa)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dokhacgiakhoa/planning-with-files

---


# Planning with Files

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

## Important: Where Files Go

When using this skill:

- **Templates** are stored in the skill directory at `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/templates/`
- **Your planning files** (`task_plan.md`, `findings.md`, `progress.md`) should be created in **your project directory** — the folder where you're working

| Location | What Goes There |
|----------|-----------------|
| Skill directory (`${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/`) | Templates, scripts, reference docs |
| Your project directory | `task_plan.md`, `findings.md`, `progress.md` |

This ensures your planning files live alongside your code, not buried in the skill installation folder.

## Quick Start

Before ANY complex task:

1. **Create `task_plan.md`** in your project — Use [templates/task_plan.md](templates/task_plan.md) as reference
2. **Create `findings.md`** in your project — Use [templates/findings.md](templates/findings.md) as reference
3. **Create `progress.md`** in your project — Use [templates/progress.md](templates/progress.md) as reference
4. **Re-read plan before decisions** — Refreshes goals in attention window
5. **Update after each phase** — Mark complete, log errors

> **Note:** All three planning files should be created in your current working directory (your project root), not in the skill's installation folder.

## The Core Pattern

```
Context Window = RAM (volatile, limited)
Filesystem = Disk (persistent, unlimited)

→ Anything important gets written to disk.
```

## File Purposes

| File | Purpose | When to Update |
|------|---------|----------------|
| `task_plan.md` | Phases, progress, decisions | After each phase |
| `findings.md` | Research, discoveries | After ANY discovery |
| `progress.md` | Session log, test results | Throughout session |

## Critical Rules

## 🧠 Knowledge Modules (Fractal Skills)

### 1. [1. Create Plan First](./sub-skills/1-create-plan-first.md)
### 2. [2. The 2-Action Rule](./sub-skills/2-the-2-action-rule.md)
### 3. [3. Read Before Decide](./sub-skills/3-read-before-decide.md)
### 4. [4. Update After Act](./sub-skills/4-update-after-act.md)
### 5. [5. Log ALL Errors](./sub-skills/5-log-all-errors.md)
### 6. [6. Never Repeat Failures](./sub-skills/6-never-repeat-failures.md)