planning-with-files
Uses persistent markdown files for general planning, progress tracking, and knowledge storage (Manus-style workflow). Use for multi-step tasks, research projects, or general organization WITHOUT mentioning PRD. For PRD-specific work, use prd-planner skill instead.
What this skill does
# Planning with Files > "Work like Manus" — Uses persistent markdown files for planning, progress tracking, and knowledge storage. ## Description A Claude Code skill that transforms your workflow to use persistent markdown files for planning and progress tracking — the pattern that made Manus AI worth billions. ## The Problem Claude Code (and most AI agents) suffer from: - **Volatile memory** — TodoWrite tool disappears on context reset - **Goal drift** — Original goals get forgotten after many tool calls - **Hidden errors** — Failures aren't tracked, mistakes repeat - **Context stuffing** — Everything crammed into context instead of stored ## The Solution: 3-File Pattern For every complex task, create THREE files: ```text task_plan.md → Track phases and progress notes.md → Store research and findings [deliverable].md → Final output ``` ### The Workflow Loop ```text 1. Create task_plan.md with goal and phases 2. Research → save to notes.md → update task_plan.md 3. Read notes.md → create deliverable → update task_plan.md 4. Deliver final output ``` ## When to Use **Use this pattern for:** - Multi-step tasks (3+ steps) - Research tasks - Building/creating projects - Tasks spanning many tool calls - Anything requiring organization **Skip for:** - Simple questions - Single-file edits - Quick lookups ## Installation This skill is typically installed globally at `~/.claude/skills/planning-with-files/`. From this repository: ```bash ln -s /path/to/agent-playbook/skills/planning-with-files ~/.claude/skills/planning-with-files ``` If you prefer the standalone workflow, see the upstream repository in the Links section. ## The Manus Principles | Principle | Implementation | |-----------|----------------| | Filesystem as memory | Store in files, not context | | Attention manipulation | Re-read plan before decisions | | Error persistence | Log failures in plan file | | Goal tracking | Checkboxes show progress | | Append-only context | Never modify history | ## Example **You:** "Research the benefits of TypeScript and write a summary" **Claude creates:** ```markdown # Task Plan: TypeScript Benefits Research ## Goal Create a research summary on TypeScript benefits. ## Phases - [x] Phase 1: Create plan ✓ - [ ] Phase 2: Research and gather sources (CURRENT) - [ ] Phase 3: Synthesize findings - [ ] Phase 4: Deliver summary ## Status **Currently in Phase 2** - Searching for sources ``` ## Links - [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/OthmanAdi/planning-with-files) - [Context Engineering for AI Agents](https://manus.im/de/blog/Context-Engineering-for-AI-Agents-Lessons-from-Building-Manus)
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