Planning

This prevents you from losing track of what you're doing during complex tasks by using three markdown files to track goals, findings, and progress. The pattern is simple: create a plan in `task_plan.md` before starting work, log research discoveries in `findings.md` every couple of searches, and update `progress.md` as you go. The "3-strike protocol" for handling repeated errors is smart, it forces you to change approaches instead of bashing your head against the same wall. Works standalone but it's part of a larger AI Maestro suite that adds memory and search capabilities. Best for anything that'll take more than five tool calls or where you might drift from the original goal.

skills.sh installs: 190
GitHub stars: 33.2K
last updated: Aug 21, 2026

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Install

$ npx -y skills add davila7/claude-code-templates --skill planning --agent claude-code

Installs into .claude/skills of the current project.

Files

AI Maestro Planning

Solve the execution problem -- staying focused during complex, multi-step tasks. Uses persistent markdown files to track goals, findings, and progress so you never lose context. Part of the AI Maestro suite.

When to Use

Multi-step tasks (3+ steps)
Research projects
Building features requiring >5 tool calls
Any task where you might lose track of the goal

The 3-File Pattern

Create in docs_dev/ (or $AIMAESTRO_PLANNING_DIR):

File	Purpose	Update When
`task_plan.md`	Goals, phases, decisions, errors	After each phase
`findings.md`	Research, discoveries, resources	During research
`progress.md`	Session log, test results	Throughout session

Quick Start

PLAN_DIR="${AIMAESTRO_PLANNING_DIR:-docs_dev}"
mkdir -p "$PLAN_DIR"

Then create task_plan.md with:

# Task: [Goal]

## Phases
- [ ] Phase 1: Research
- [ ] Phase 2: Design
- [ ] Phase 3: Implement
- [ ] Phase 4: Test

## Decisions
| Decision | Rationale | Date |
|----------|-----------|------|

SKILL.md on GitHub