This skill implements a file-based planning system for complex, multi-step tasks by creating persistent markdown files to track goals, findings, and progress. It acts as an external working memory to maintain context and organization throughout long workflows or research projects.
## Help Us Test Session Management Features!
I've implemented session management patterns from Anthropic's article ["Effective harnesses for long-running agents"](https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/effective-harnesses-for-long-running-agents) in the **`feature/anthropic-patterns`** branch.
These features need testing before merging to main. **Your feedback is critical!**
---
## What's New
### 1. Session Initialization Script
Run at the start of every session:
```bash
bash scripts/init-session.sh
```
**What it does:**
- ✅ Verifies planning files exist
- ✅ Shows current phase and git status
- ✅ Displays last commit
- ✅ Logs session start to progress.md
- ✅ Creates missing files if needed
### 2. Pass/Fail Status Tracking
Enhanced `task_plan.md` template with:
- Status icons: ⏸️ Pending | 🔄 In Progress | ✅ Pass | ❌ Fail | ⏭️ Skipped
- Test Results table for each phase
- Git Checkpoints table to log commits
- Phase Summary table for quick overview
### 3. Git Checkpoint Workflow
New documentation: `docs/git-checkpoints.md`
- "One phase, one commit" pattern
- Use git commits as rollback points
- Integrates with task_plan.md
### 4. Session-Start Verification
Automated checklist that verifies:
- Planning files present
- Git working tree clean
- Current branch status
- Last commit information
---
## How to Test
### 1. Checkout the Branch
```bash
cd your-planning-with-files-repo
git fetch origin
git checkout feature/anthropic-patterns
```
### 2. Try It In a Test Project
```bash
cd ~/your-test-project
bash /path/to/planning-with-files/scripts/init-session.sh
```
### 3. Work Through a Multi-Phase Task
- Let the script create planning files
- Define some phases in task_plan.md
- Complete a phase and test it
- Mark it as ✅ Pass with test results
- Commit: `git commit -m "feat(Phase 1): description"`
- Log the commit hash in Git Checkpoints table
- Start a new session and run init-session.sh again
### 4. Read the Implementation Summary
See `IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md` in the branch for full details.
---
## What We Need Feedback On
1. **Does init-session.sh work on your system?**
- Unix/Mac: Does the bash script run smoothly?
- Windows: Does the PowerShell version work?
2. **Is the new task_plan.md template helpful?**
- Are the status icons clear?
- Is the Test Results table useful?
- Does the Git Checkpoints table make sense?
3. **Does the workflow feel natural?**
- Plan → Implement → Verify → Commit
- Does session recovery work when you restart?
4. **Any bugs or issues?**
- Errors when running scripts?
- Confusing documentation?
- Missing features?
5. **Suggestions for improvement?**
- What would make this better?
- Any patterns from the Anthropic article we missed?
---
## Related Issue
This work resolves [Issue #19](https://github.com/OthmanAdi/planning-with-files/issues/19) requested by @wqh17101.
---
## Documentation
- [Git Checkpoint Workflow](https://github.com/OthmanAdi/planning-with-files/blob/feature/anthropic-patterns/docs/git-checkpoints.md)
- [Implementation Summary](https://github.com/OthmanAdi/planning-with-files/blob/feature/anthropic-patterns/IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md)
- [Anthropic Article](https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/effective-harnesses-for-long-running-agents) (inspiration)
---
**Please test and share your experience!** Once we have enough feedback and approval, I'll merge this to main.
Thank you!
Ahmad