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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:
task_plan.md → Track phases and progress
notes.md → Store research and findings
[deliverable].md → Final output
The Workflow Loop
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:
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:
# 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
Weekly Installs
45
Repository
charon-fan/agen…playbook
GitHub Stars
10
First Seen
Jan 22, 2026
Security Audits
Gen Agent Trust HubPassSocketPassSnykPass
Installed on
opencode37
codex37
gemini-cli37
cursor35
github-copilot31
amp30
