Task Breakdown Skill

Purpose

Transform architecture plans into atomic, executable tasks with clear verification criteria.

When to Use

• After architecture plan is approved
• Converting design to implementation steps
• Creating detailed work breakdown
• Estimating implementation effort

Task Template

Use templates/task-template.md for consistent task format.

Task Criteria

Atomic Tasks Must Be:

1. Single-concern: One logical change per task
2. Verifiable: Clear success criteria
3. Bounded: Defined start and end
4. Estimated: Size/complexity indicated
5. Ordered: Dependencies explicit

Task Size Guidelines

Rule: If a task is XL, it must be broken down further.

File Operation Types

CREATE

Create new file from scratch.

| Action | File | Details |
|--------|------|---------|
| CREATE | `src/services/auth.ts` | New auth service, follow UserService pattern |

Include:

• Full file path
• Template or pattern to follow
• Key exports/functions to include

MODIFY

Change existing file.

| Action | File | Details |
|--------|------|---------|
| MODIFY | `src/routes/index.ts` | Lines 45-60, add auth routes |

Include:

• File path
• Line range
• Description of change
• Before/after state

DELETE

Remove file or code.

| Action | File | Details |
|--------|------|---------|
| DELETE | `src/old/legacy-auth.ts` | Remove deprecated auth system |

Include:

• File path
• Reason for deletion
• Confirmation of no dependencies

MOVE

Relocate file.

| Action | File | Details |
|--------|------|---------|
| MOVE | `src/auth.ts` → `src/services/auth.ts` | Reorganize to services directory |

Include:

• Source and destination paths
• Import updates needed
• Git history preservation note

Verification Approaches

Framework-Specific Commands

Node.js/TypeScript:

npm run typecheck
npm run lint
npm test -- --testPathPattern=auth

Python:

python -m pytest tests/test_auth.py
python -m mypy src/auth.py
python -m flake8 src/auth.py

Go:

go test ./auth/...
go vet ./auth/...
golint ./auth/...

Dependency Types

Hard Dependency

Must complete before next task starts.

**Dependencies:** Task 1.1 (hard) - Needs auth service to exist

Soft Dependency

Should complete first but can proceed if needed.

**Dependencies:** Task 1.2 (soft) - Ideally after tests written

None

Independent task, can run in parallel.

**Dependencies:** None

Commit Message Conventions

Follow conventional commits format:

<type>(<scope>): <description>

[optional body]

[optional footer]

Types

• feat: New feature
• fix: Bug fix
• refactor: Code change without feature/fix
• docs: Documentation only
• test: Adding tests
• chore: Maintenance tasks

Examples

feat(auth): implement JWT token service

- Add token generation with configurable expiry
- Add token validation with signature verification
- Integrate with user service for claims

Closes #123

Priority Levels

Phase Organization

Group tasks into logical phases:

1. Foundation: Core infrastructure, shared utilities
2. Core Features: Main functionality
3. Integration: Connecting components
4. Testing: Test implementation
5. Documentation: Docs and cleanup

Output Quality Checklist

Before finalizing implementation plan:

• All tasks are appropriately sized (no XL tasks)
• File paths are complete and accurate
• Line numbers included for modifications
• Current and expected state shown for changes
• Verification commands are runnable
• Commit messages follow project conventions
• Dependencies clearly marked
• Phases organized logically
• All architecture components covered
• No orphan tasks (everything connects)

Output Location

Save implementation plans to: docs/plans/implementation-{session}.md

Integration with Workflow

1. Architecture document provides component design
2. Task breakdown creates executable tasks (this skill)
3. Implementation follows tasks exactly
4. Validation verifies each task's success criteria