Planning With Files

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

1. Initialize files in project root:
   • bash skills/planning-with-files/scripts/init-session.sh
2. Before major decisions, re-read task_plan.md.
3. After every 2 search/view operations, update findings.md.
4. After each phase, update status and progress.md.
5. 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