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.
# Gemini CLI Setup
This guide explains how to install and use planning-with-files with [Gemini CLI](https://geminicli.com/).
## Prerequisites
- Gemini CLI v0.23 or later
- Agent Skills enabled in settings
## Enable Agent Skills
Agent Skills is an experimental feature. Enable it first:
```bash
# Open settings
gemini /settings
# Search for "Skills" → Toggle "Agent Skills" to true → Press Esc to save
```
Or edit `~/.gemini/settings.json`:
```json
{
"experimental": {
"skills": true
}
}
```
## Installation Methods
### Method 1: Install from GitHub (Recommended)
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/OthmanAdi/planning-with-files --path .gemini/skills/planning-with-files
```
### Method 2: Manual Installation (User-level)
```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/OthmanAdi/planning-with-files.git
# Copy to Gemini skills folder
cp -r planning-with-files/.gemini/skills/planning-with-files ~/.gemini/skills/
```
### Method 3: Manual Installation (Workspace-level)
For project-specific installation:
```bash
# In your project directory
mkdir -p .gemini/skills
# Copy skill
cp -r /path/to/planning-with-files/.gemini/skills/planning-with-files .gemini/skills/
```
## Verify Installation
```bash
# List all skills
gemini skills list
# Should show:
# - planning-with-files: Implements Manus-style file-based planning...
```
Or in an interactive session:
```
/skills list
```
## Skill Discovery Tiers
Skills are loaded from three locations with this precedence:
| Tier | Location | Scope |
|------|----------|-------|
| Workspace | `.gemini/skills/` | Project-specific (highest priority) |
| User | `~/.gemini/skills/` | All projects |
| Extension | Bundled with extensions | Lowest priority |
Higher-precedence locations override lower ones when names conflict.
## Usage
### Automatic Activation
Gemini will automatically detect when to use this skill based on the task description. For complex multi-step tasks, it will prompt you:
```
Gemini wants to activate skill: planning-with-files
Purpose: Implements Manus-style file-based planning for complex tasks
Allow? [y/n]
```
### Manual Activation
You can also manually enable/disable skills:
```
/skills enable planning-with-files
/skills disable planning-with-files
/skills reload
```
## How It Works
1. **Session Start**: Gemini loads skill names and descriptions
2. **Task Detection**: When you describe a complex task, Gemini matches it to the skill
3. **Activation Prompt**: You approve the skill activation
4. **Instructions Loaded**: Full SKILL.md content is added to context
5. **Execution**: Gemini follows the planning workflow
## Skill Structure
```
.gemini/skills/planning-with-files/
├── SKILL.md # Main skill instructions
├── templates/
│ ├── task_plan.md # Phase tracking template
│ ├── findings.md # Research storage template
│ └── progress.md # Session logging template
├── scripts/
│ ├── init-session.sh # Initialize planning files
│ ├── check-complete.sh # Verify completion
│ ├── init-session.ps1 # Windows PowerShell version
│ └── check-complete.ps1
└── references/
├── reference.md # Manus principles
└── examples.md # Real-world examples
```
## Sharing Skills with Claude Code
If you use both Gemini CLI and Claude Code, you can share skills:
```bash
# Create symlink (Linux/macOS)
ln -s ~/.claude/skills ~/.gemini/skills
# Or copy between them
cp -r ~/.claude/skills/planning-with-files ~/.gemini/skills/
```
## Troubleshooting
### Skill not appearing
1. Check skills are enabled: `gemini /settings` → Search "Skills"
2. Verify installation: `gemini skills list`
3. Reload skills: `/skills reload`
### Skill not activating
- Make sure your task description matches the skill's purpose
- Try manually enabling: `/skills enable planning-with-files`
### Path issues on Windows
Use PowerShell:
```powershell
# Copy to user skills
Copy-Item -Recurse -Path ".\.gemini\skills\planning-with-files" -Destination "$env:USERPROFILE\.gemini\skills\"
```
## Resources
- [Gemini CLI Documentation](https://geminicli.com/docs/)
- [Agent Skills Guide](https://geminicli.com/docs/cli/skills/)
- [Skills Tutorial](https://geminicli.com/docs/cli/tutorials/skills-getting-started/)