# Planning With Files

Implements Manus-style file-based planning for complex tasks.

- Repository: https://github.com/dp-archive/archive (1107 stars)
- Category: Writing
- License: Apache-2.0
- Last updated: 2026-03-04
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add dp-archive/archive --skill planning-with-files -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add dp-archive/archive --skill planning-with-files -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add dp-archive/archive --skill planning-with-files -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add dp-archive/archive --skill planning-with-files -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Implements Manus-style file-based planning for complex tasks. Creates task_plan.md, findings.md, and progress.md. Use when starting complex multi-step tasks, research projects, or any task requiring >5 tool calls. Now with automatic session recovery after /clear.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Planning with Files

Work like Manus: Use persistent markdown files as your "working memory on disk."

## FIRST: Check for Previous Session (v2.2.0)

**Before starting work**, check for unsynced context from a previous session:

```bash
# Linux/macOS (auto-detects python3 or python)
$(command -v python3 || command -v python) ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/session-catchup.py "$(pwd)"
```

```powershell
# Windows PowerShell
python "$env:USERPROFILE\.opencode\skills\planning-with-files\scripts\session-catchup.py" (Get-Location)
```

If catchup report shows unsynced context:
1. Run `git diff --stat` to see actual code changes
2. Read current planning files
3. Update planning files based on catchup + git diff
4. Then proceed with task

## Important: Where Files Go

- **Templates** are in `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/templates/`
- **Your planning files** go in **your project directory**

| Location | What Goes There |
|----------|-----------------|
| Skill directory (`${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/`) | Templates, scripts, reference docs |
| Your project directory | `task_plan.md`, `findings.md`, `progress.md` |

## Quick Start

Before ANY complex task:

1. **Create `task_plan.md`**, Use [templates/task_plan.md](templates/task_plan.md) as reference
2. **Create `findings.md`**, Use [templates/findings.md](templates/findings.md) as reference
3. **Create `progress.md`**, Use [templates/progress.md](templates/progress.md) as reference
4. **Re-read plan before decisions**, Refreshes goals in attention window
5. **Update after each phase**, Mark complete, log errors

> **Note:** Planning files go in your project root, not the skill installation folder.

## The Core Pattern

```
Context Window = RAM (volatile, limited)
Filesystem = Disk (persistent, unlimited)

→ Anything important gets written to disk.
```

## File Purposes

The rest: https://github.com/dp-archive/archive/blob/HEAD/seed_skills/planning-with-files/SKILL.md