work-tracking
Original:🇺🇸 English
Translated
2 scripts
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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Added on
NPX Install
npx skill4agent add mohammed-io/agentic-ai-tools work-trackingTags
Translated version includes tags in frontmatterSKILL.md Content
View Translation Comparison →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"
fiWhat this does:
- Checks if directory exists
agent-work/ - If not, copies the scaffold structure from
.claude/skills/work-tracking/scaffold/ - Creates the necessary and
bin/subdirectoriescompleted/ - 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/nullIf there's an active work file:
- Show it to the user
- Ask: "There's an active work file: [filename]. Would you like to:
- Continue with this work
- Complete it first
- 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.mdStep 4: Populate Work File
Immediately after creation, populate the work file with:
- Context - What problem is being solved, why it's needed
- Value Proposition - What the feature achieves, acceptance criteria
- Alternatives Considered - Other approaches considered and why this approach was chosen
- Todos - Specific, actionable tasks with checkboxes
[ ] - 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
## NotesStep 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 checkedCorrect 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 for completed todos:
[ ][x]Edit: agent-work/{timestamp}_{task_name}.md
Old: - [ ] Update PDF generator to verify text layer
New: - [x] Update PDF generator to verify text layerStep 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_generationWhat the script does:
- Updates status to
completed ({completion_timestamp}) - Moves file to directory
agent-work/completed/
Example output:
Completed and moved: agent-work/completed/20251230164521_improve_pdf_generation.mdWork 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 directory
agent-work/
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 to move file to completed/
work-complete.sh
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 to move to completed/
work-complete.shExample 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.mdStep 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 documentationStep 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 generatorStep 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 positioningStep 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.mdSummary
MANDATORY SEQUENCE:
- First time only: Initialize agent-work directory from scaffold (Step 1)
- Check for active work: (Step 2)
ls agent-work/*.md - Create work file: (Step 3)
./agent-work/bin/work-create.sh <task_name> - Populate work file with context, todos, etc. (Step 4)
- Implement EACH todo + update work file immediately after EACH (Step 5)
- Complete work: (Step 6)
./agent-work/bin/work-complete.sh <name>
NO CODE WITHOUT A WORK FILE. NO EXCEPTIONS.