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planning-with-files

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.

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Files

steering/planning-templates.md

# Planning File Templates

Copy these templates to your project root when starting complex tasks.

## task_plan.md Template

```markdown
# Task Plan

## Goal
[One sentence describing the end state]

## Current Phase
Phase X: [Name] - [Status]

## Phases

### Phase 1: [Name]
**Status:** pending | in_progress | complete
- [ ] Step 1
- [ ] Step 2

### Phase 2: [Name]
**Status:** pending
- [ ] Step 1
- [ ] Step 2

## Key Questions
- Question 1?
- Question 2?

## Decisions Made
| Decision | Rationale | Date |
|----------|-----------|------|

## Errors Encountered
| Error | Attempt | Resolution |
|-------|---------|------------|
```

## findings.md Template

```markdown
# Findings

## Requirements
- Requirement 1
- Requirement 2

## Research Findings
### [Topic 1]
- Finding 1
- Finding 2

## Technical Decisions
| Decision | Options Considered | Chosen | Why |
|----------|-------------------|--------|-----|

## Resources
- [Resource 1](url)
- [Resource 2](url)
```

## progress.md Template

```markdown
# Progress Log

## Session: [Date]
**Phase:** [Current phase]
**Start Time:** [Time]

### Actions Taken
1. Action 1
2. Action 2

### Files Modified
- `file1.js` — Added feature X
- `file2.py` — Fixed bug Y

### Test Results
| Test | Input | Expected | Actual | Status |
|------|-------|----------|--------|--------|

### Error Log
| Time | Error | Attempt | Resolution |
|------|-------|---------|------------|
```