work-tracking

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Enforces mandatory work tracking before any file changes. Ensures 100% compliance with work file creation, progressive todo updates, and proper completion. Use this skill for ALL tasks, bug fixes, features, and improvements.

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NPX Install

npx skill4agent add mohammed-io/agentic-ai-tools work-tracking

Step 1: Initialize Work Directory (If Needed)

Before checking for active work, ensure agent-work directory exists:
bash
if [ ! -d "agent-work" ]; then
  echo "Initializing work directory..."
  cp -r .claude/skills/work-tracking/scaffold agent-work
  echo "Work directory initialized from scaffold"
fi
What this does:
  • Checks if
    agent-work/
    directory exists
  • If not, copies the scaffold structure from
    .claude/skills/work-tracking/scaffold/
  • Creates the necessary
    bin/
    and
    completed/
    subdirectories
  • Sets up the work tracking system ready for use

Step 2: Check for Active Work

ALWAYS do this first before creating new work.
bash
ls agent-work/*.md 2>/dev/null
If there's an active work file:
  • Show it to the user
  • Ask: "There's an active work file: [filename]. Would you like to:
    1. Continue with this work
    2. Complete it first
    3. Create new work file"
  • Wait for user response before proceeding
If no active work file, proceed to Step 4.

Step 3: Create Work File (MANDATORY)

You MUST run this script BEFORE writing ANY code.
bash
./agent-work/bin/work-create.sh <task_name>

Task Naming Rules

Use descriptive, snake_case names:
  • improve_pdf_generation
  • add_watermark_support
  • fix_date_parsing_bug
  • implement_resume_validator
  • new_feature
  • stuff
  • update

What the script does:

  • Generates UTC timestamp automatically
  • Creates
    agent-work/{timestamp}_{task_name}.md
  • Populates it with the template
Example output:
Created work file: agent-work/20251230164521_improve_pdf_generation.md

Step 4: Populate Work File

Immediately after creation, populate the work file with:
  1. Context - What problem is being solved, why it's needed
  2. Value Proposition - What the feature achieves, acceptance criteria
  3. Alternatives Considered - Other approaches considered and why this approach was chosen
  4. Todos - Specific, actionable tasks with
    [ ]
    checkboxes
  5. Notes - Any additional information

Example Work File:

markdown
# Improve PDF Generation

## Status: in_progress

## Context
Current PDF generation doesn't preserve text selectable layers, making it hard for ATS systems to parse. Users report that their resumes aren't being parsed correctly.

## Value Proposition
- PDFs must have selectable text layers
- Font embedding must be verified
- Metadata must be properly set
- ATS systems should be able to extract all text

## Alternatives considered
- LaTeX generation: Too complex, requires LaTeX installation
- Puppeteer: Similar to Playwright but less stable
- Playwright (chosen): Best text layer support, reliable, well-maintained

## Todos
- [ ] Update PDF generator to verify text layer
- [ ] Add font embedding checks
- [ ] Implement metadata setting
- [ ] Test with ATS parsers
- [ ] Update documentation

## Notes

Step 5: Implement Work (Update Todos Progressively)

⚠️ CRITICAL: Update the work file after EACH todo, not after all todos.

Wrong Approach (DO NOT DO THIS):

1. Complete all 5 todos
2. Update work file once with all 5 checked

Correct Approach (DO THIS):

1. Complete Todo 1
2. Update work file: [ ] Task 1 → [x] Task 1
3. Complete Todo 2
4. Update work file: [ ] Task 2 → [x] Task 2
5. And so on...

Why This Matters:

  • If AI crashes, progress isn't lost
  • Maintains accurate progress tracking
  • Allows resumption from any point
  • User can see real-time progress

How to Update:

Use the Edit tool to change
[ ]
to
[x]
for completed todos:
Edit: agent-work/{timestamp}_{task_name}.md
Old: - [ ] Update PDF generator to verify text layer
New: - [x] Update PDF generator to verify text layer

Step 6: Complete Work

When ALL todos are checked as [x], complete the work:
bash
./agent-work/bin/work-complete.sh <name>

Examples:

bash
./agent-work/bin/work-complete.sh improve_pdf_generation
./agent-work/bin/work-complete.sh 20251230164521_improve_pdf_generation

What the script does:

  • Updates status to
    completed ({completion_timestamp})
  • Moves file to
    agent-work/completed/
    directory
Example output:
Completed and moved: agent-work/completed/20251230164521_improve_pdf_generation.md

Work File Locations

  • Active work:
    agent-work/{timestamp}_{task_name}.md
  • Completed work:
    agent-work/completed/{timestamp}_{task_name}.md

Enforcement Checklist

First time in project:
  • Initialized agent-work directory from scaffold
Before writing ANY code, verify:
  • Checked for active work files
  • Created work file using
    work-create.sh
  • Populated Context, Value Proposition, Alternatives, Todos
  • Work file exists in
    agent-work/
    directory
While implementing:
  • Update work file after EACH todo completion
  • Use Edit tool to change
    [ ]
    to
    [x]
  • Never batch todo updates
After completing all todos:
  • Verify ALL todos are marked
    [x]
  • Run
    work-complete.sh
    to move file to completed/

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Starting to code before creating work file ✅ Always create work file first
Updating all todos at once after completing all work ✅ Update each todo immediately after completion
Not checking for active work files ✅ Always check first:
ls agent-work/*.md
Using vague task names like "update" or "fix" ✅ Use descriptive names like "fix_date_parsing_bug"
Forgetting to complete work file when done ✅ Run
work-complete.sh
to move to completed/

Example Workflow

User Request: "Add watermark support to PDFs"

Step 1: Check for active work

bash
ls agent-work/*.md
# (no files found)

Step 2: Create work file

bash
./agent-work/bin/work-create.sh add_pdf_watermark_support
# Created work file: agent-work/20251230170000_add_pdf_watermark_support.md

Step 3: Populate work file

Edit the file with context, value proposition, alternatives, todos:
markdown
## Todos
- [ ] Add watermark option to PDF generator
- [ ] Implement watermark positioning
- [ ] Add opacity control
- [ ] Test with sample PDFs
- [ ] Update documentation

Step 4: Implement first todo

Write code for watermark option...
Immediately after: Update work file
Edit: agent-work/20251230170000_add_pdf_watermark_support.md
Old: - [ ] Add watermark option to PDF generator
New: - [x] Add watermark option to PDF generator

Step 5: Implement second todo

Write code for positioning...
Immediately after: Update work file
Edit: agent-work/20251230170000_add_pdf_watermark_support.md
Old: - [ ] Implement watermark positioning
New: - [x] Implement watermark positioning

Step 6: Continue until all todos are [x]

Step 7: Complete work

bash
./agent-work/bin/work-complete.sh add_pdf_watermark_support
# Completed and moved: agent-work/completed/20251230170000_add_pdf_watermark_support.md

Summary

MANDATORY SEQUENCE:
  1. First time only: Initialize agent-work directory from scaffold (Step 1)
  2. Check for active work:
    ls agent-work/*.md
    (Step 2)
  3. Create work file:
    ./agent-work/bin/work-create.sh <task_name>
    (Step 3)
  4. Populate work file with context, todos, etc. (Step 4)
  5. Implement EACH todo + update work file immediately after EACH (Step 5)
  6. Complete work:
    ./agent-work/bin/work-complete.sh <name>
    (Step 6)
NO CODE WITHOUT A WORK FILE. NO EXCEPTIONS.