Transforms workflow to use Manus-style persistent markdown files for planning, progress tracking, and knowledge storage. Use when starting complex tasks, multi-step projects, research tasks, or when the user mentions planning, organizing work, tracking progress, or wants structured output.
npxskills add jarrodwatts/claude-code-config--skill planning-with-filesLoading…
Work like Manus: Use persistent markdown files as your "working memory on disk."
Before ANY complex task:
task_plan.md in the working directoryFor every non-trivial task, create THREE files:
| File | Purpose | When to Update |
|---|---|---|
task_plan.md | Track phases and progress | After each phase |
notes.md | Store findings and research | During research |
[deliverable].md |
| Final output |
| At completion |
Loop 1: Create task_plan.md with goal and phases
Loop 2: Research → save to notes.md → update task_plan.md
Loop 3: Read notes.md → create deliverable → update task_plan.md
Loop 4: Deliver final output
Before each major action:
Read task_plan.md # Refresh goals in attention window
After each phase:
Edit task_plan.md # Mark [x], update status
When storing information:
Write notes.md # Don't stuff context, store in file
Create this file FIRST for any complex task:
# Task Plan: [Brief Description]
## Goal
[One sentence describing the end state]
## Phases
- [ ] Phase 1: Plan and setup
- [ ] Phase 2: Research/gather information
- [ ] Phase 3: Execute/build
- [ ] Phase 4: Review and deliver
## Key Questions
1. [Question to answer]
2. [Question to answer]
## Decisions Made
- [Decision]: [Rationale]
## Errors Encountered
- [Error]: [Resolution]
## Status
**Currently in Phase X** - [What I'm doing now]
For research and findings:
# Notes: [Topic]
## Sources
### Source 1: [Name]
- URL: [link]
- Key points:
- [Finding]
- [Finding]
## Synthesized Findings
### [Category]
- [Finding]
- [Finding]
Never start a complex task without task_plan.md. This is non-negotiable.
Before any major decision, read the plan file. This keeps goals in your attention window.
After completing any phase, immediately update the plan file:
Large outputs go to files, not context. Keep only paths in working memory.
Every error goes in the "Errors Encountered" section. This builds knowledge for future tasks.
Use 3-file pattern for:
Skip for:
| Don't | Do Instead |
|---|---|
| Use TodoWrite for persistence | Create task_plan.md file |
| State goals once and forget | Re-read plan before each decision |
| Hide errors and retry | Log errors to plan file |
| Stuff everything in context | Store large content in files |
| Start executing immediately | Create plan file FIRST |
See reference.md for:
See examples.md for:
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.
CLI to manage emails via IMAP/SMTP. Use `himalaya` to list, read, write, reply, forward, search, and organize emails from the terminal. Supports multiple accounts and message composition with MML (MIME Meta Language).
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.
CLI to manage emails via IMAP/SMTP. Use `himalaya` to list, read, write, reply, forward, search, and organize emails from the terminal. Supports multiple accounts and message composition with MML (MIME Meta Language).