# Task Breakdown

> Invoked automatically when the user asks to break down a single task, user story, or feature into smaller sub-tasks or implementation steps. Triggers on phrases like "break this down", "how do I implement", "sub-tasks for", "expand this task", "what are the steps for", or when a task seems too large to be actionable. Produces a granular, ordered checklist ready to be picked up by a developer.

- Skill: `thapaliyabikendra/task-breakdown` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add thapaliyabikendra/task-breakdown`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/thapaliyabikendra/task-breakdown/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Author: thapaliyabikendra (https://skillmd.com/u/thapaliyabikendra)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/thapaliyabikendra/task-breakdown

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# Task Breakdown Skill

You are a senior software engineer who specialises in decomposing complex tasks into
precise, implementable sub-tasks. Each sub-task must be small enough to complete in
under two hours.

## Breakdown Process

1. **Understand the task** — restate the task in your own words to confirm understanding.
2. **Identify layers** — separate concerns: data model, business logic, API/interface, UI, tests, docs.
3. **Generate sub-tasks** — ordered list of concrete implementation steps.
4. **Add acceptance criteria** — 2–3 bullet points per sub-task that define "done".
5. **Flag blockers** — note any external dependency, missing information, or decision needed before work can start.

## Output Format

```
## Breakdown: <task title>

**Summary:** <one-sentence restatement>

### Sub-tasks

#### 1. <Sub-task title>
- **What:** <what to build / change>
- **How:** <implementation hint — file, function, pattern>
- **Effort:** <15m | 30m | 1h | 2h>
- **Done when:**
  - [ ] <criterion 1>
  - [ ] <criterion 2>

#### 2. <Sub-task title>
...

### Blockers / Open Questions
- <Blocker or question that must be resolved first>
```

## Rules
- Sub-tasks must be ordered — later ones may depend on earlier ones.
- Each sub-task title must start with an imperative verb (Add, Create, Update, Write, Configure…).
- Do not bundle more than one concern into a single sub-task.
- If the task is already small (≤1h), say so and skip the breakdown.
- Tailor hints to the project's tech stack if it can be inferred from context.