planning-with-files

You can maintain task state for complex multi-phase projects by using persistent markdown files like task_plan.md, findings.md, and progress.md as living documents that track phases, decisions, and updates within your workspace.

Managing task planning files for long-running research projects is best handled by applying a phase-driven execution model to markdown documents. This uses provided templates to bootstrap task_plan.md and log updates continuously, keeping state and progress intact across many tool interactions.

You need persistent markdown planning documents when working on complex, multi-step tasks requiring 2-3 or more tool interactions, long-running research efforts, or multi-phase projects where tracking state and team input across sessions is essential.

To start structured task planning with markdown templates, create the planning files in your project directory using the provided bootstrap templates, then define your initial multi-phase task plan in the task_plan.md file before making project decisions.

Yes, you can use on-disk planning files for team-based project management because the persistent markdown documents act as external memory. They coordinate phase-based work and team input by enforcing a structured pattern of reading the plan before decisions and logging updates.

Complex task management requires a phase-driven execution model because multi-step workflows involve many tool interactions and team coordination. Structuring work into clear phases ensures planning files remain synchronized with actual project state and progress.