planning-with-files

Plans complex tasks by persisting work state to disk in markdown files.

Updated Dec 17, 2025

Search Tags:#workflow #planning #research #project-management #task_plan #on-disk-memory

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/ardenlab/claude-skills --skill planning-with-files-ardenlab

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: planning-with-files
Source: https://github.com/ardenlab/claude-skills/tree/main/planning-with-files
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/ardenlab/claude-skills --skill planning-with-files-ardenlab

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Manus-style planning helps coordinate long, multi-step tasks by anchoring goals and progress in persistent project files.

Core Features & Use Cases

Creates and maintains planning artifacts (task_plan.md, findings.md, progress.md) alongside your project.
Enables phased, auditable work for complex tasks and research projects.
Integrates with templates and helper scripts to initialize sessions and verify completion.

Quick Start

Create task_plan.md, findings.md, and progress.md in your project and begin your Manus-style planning session.

Frequently Asked Questions about planning-with-files

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I plan complex research tasks with on-disk memory?▼

To plan complex research tasks with on-disk memory, you create and maintain persistent project files like task_plan.md, findings.md, and progress.md. This approach anchors goals and tracks execution state directly in your project directory.

What is Manus-style planning for multi-step project management?▼

Manus-style planning is a project management technique that coordinates long, multi-step tasks by persisting work state to disk. It uses planning artifacts to support phased, auditable execution for complex research workflows.

How do I start a project planning session using markdown files?▼

You start a project planning session by creating task_plan.md, findings.md, and progress.md files in your project directory. Helper scripts can initialize these sessions and verify completion checks to maintain auditable work.

Can I use on-disk planning files for multi-step research execution?▼

Yes, on-disk planning files support multi-step research execution by keeping plan artifacts alongside your project. This method enables phased work and maintains a persistent record of findings and progress across sessions.

Do I need any dependencies to maintain task plans in my project directory?▼

No dependencies are required to maintain task plans in your project directory. The workflow relies on creating markdown files and using helper scripts for initialization and completion checks, ensuring zero external barriers.

Why use persistent markdown files instead of other project management approaches?▼

Persistent markdown files provide an auditable record of work state directly within the project environment. Unlike other project management approaches, this method integrates with helper scripts and templates to verify completion without external tools.