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:
python3 .continue/skills/planning-with-files/scripts/session-catchup.py "$(pwd)" || python .continue/skills/planning-with-files/scripts/session-catchup.py "$(pwd)"
If catchup report shows unsynced context:
- Run
git diff --statto see actual code changes - Read current planning files
- Update planning files based on catchup + git diff
- Then proceed with task
Quick Start
Before any complex task:
- Create
task_plan.md,findings.md,progress.mdin your project root - If they don't exist yet, initialize them using:
- macOS/Linux:
bash .continue/skills/planning-with-files/scripts/init-session.sh - Windows:
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .continue/skills/planning-with-files/scripts/init-session.ps1
- macOS/Linux:
- Re-read
task_plan.mdbefore major decisions - Update
task_plan.mdafter each phase completes - Write discoveries to
findings.md(especially after web/search/image/PDF viewing)
The Core Pattern
Context Window = RAM (volatile, limited)
Filesystem = Disk (persistent, unlimited)
→ Anything important gets written to disk.
File Purposes
| File | Purpose | When to Update |
|---|---|---|
task_plan.md | Phases, progress, decisions | After each phase |
findings.md | Research, discoveries | After any discovery |
progress.md | Session log, test results | Throughout session |
Critical Rules
1. Create Plan First
Never start a complex task without task_plan.md.
2. The 2-Action Rule
After every 2 view/browser/search operations, save key findings to text files.
3. Read Before Decide
Before major decisions, read task_plan.md to refresh goals.
4. Update After Act
After completing any phase, update statuses and log errors in task_plan.md.
5. Log ALL Errors
Every error goes in the plan file so you don't repeat it.
6. Never Repeat Failures
If an action failed, the next action must be different.