Agent Skills: managing-task-docs

<skill_overview> Task docs are the active workflow surface. Keep them accurate, small, and easy to resume. </skill_overview>

<rigidity_level> HIGH FREEDOM - Adapt the operations to the task, but keep the docs truthful and lean. </rigidity_level>

<quick_reference> | Operation | Action | |-----------|--------| | Split work | Break a large item into smaller Now/Next items | | Reprioritize | Move items between Now, Next, Later, and Blocked | | Refresh context | Update discoveries and resume notes | | Close | Delete completed local dirs from plans/active/ | | Resume | Re-read docs and tighten Now back to 1-2 items |

Rule: tasks.md is a rolling backlog, not a frozen project plan. </quick_reference>

<when_to_use>

• Current tasks are too large
• Priorities changed
• A task became blocked
• Work is complete and ready to close
• A session is about to compact or end </when_to_use>

<the_process>

1. Read the full task directory

Before editing tasks.md, re-read:

• plan.md
• context.md
• tasks.md

2. Make the smallest truthful change

Examples:

• split one large item into three smaller items
• move an item from Now to Blocked with a reason
• promote the next best item from Next to Now

3. Update context.md

Record:

• why the backlog changed
• what was learned
• what should happen next

4. Close cleanly

When the work is complete:

• verify acceptance checks
• make sure Now is empty
• delete the local directory from plans/active/ </the_process>