# Task Estimation

> Provides task estimation before starting work. Use when planning new features, refactoring, bug fixes, or any non-trivial changes. Triggered by keywords like estimate, plan, complexity, tokens, approach.

- Skill: `majiayu000/task-estimation` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add majiayu000/task-estimation`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/task-estimation/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/task-estimation

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# Task Estimation

Before starting any non-trivial task, ALWAYS provide an estimation.

## Template

```
Complexity: [Simple / Medium / Complex]
Est. tokens: [Low (~5K) / Medium (~15K) / High (~30K+)]
Files: [list files you expect to touch]
Approach: [1-2 sentences on your plan]
```

## Guidelines

- **Simple**: Single file change, straightforward logic
- **Medium**: 2-5 files, moderate complexity, some exploration needed
- **Complex**: 5+ files, architectural changes, significant exploration

If you are unsure of any estimate, ask for clarification before proceeding.

## Example

```
Complexity: Medium
Est. tokens: ~15K
Files: types.ts, parser.ts (new), server-functions.ts
Approach: Create parser module with categorization logic, integrate with existing instruction extractor.
```

## When to Apply

- Before implementing new features
- Before refactoring existing code
- Before fixing non-trivial bugs
- When the user asks "how would you approach this?"
- When exploring implementation options