planning-with-files

Persistent markdown planning files manage complex multi-step tasks by acting as external memory, preventing information loss across numerous tool calls. Structured files like task_plan.md, findings.md, and progress.md organize tasks, discoveries, and session logs to maintain focus.

Session recovery automatically retrieves context from previous task sessions using persistent markdown files. By reading progress.md and findings.md, the mechanism restores your exact working state and allows continued execution of complex research or software projects.

Start file-based planning by creating a task_plan.md file using a provided template to outline objectives and steps. As the research project progresses, document discoveries in findings.md and log execution updates in progress.md to ensure structured tracking.

External memory for task management is needed when a task requires more than a few tool calls, such as building software features or conducting research projects. It prevents information loss and ensures focus during complex, multi-step execution scenarios.

File-based planning works for software feature development by creating task_plan.md, findings.md, and progress.md to organize tasks and session logs. It facilitates multi-step execution and automatic session recovery for scenarios requiring numerous tool calls.

Using markdown files for task planning requires manual synchronization between execution steps and file documentation. Without consistent updates to findings.md and progress.md, the external memory mechanism may not accurately reflect the current state for session recovery.