MAP Planning Skill

Implements Manus-style file-based planning adapted for MAP Framework workflows. Uses branch-scoped persistent files to track goals, tasks, progress, and learnings across agent sessions.

Core Concept

Instead of relying solely on conversation context (limited window), this skill externalizes planning artifacts to the filesystem. The agent reads/writes structured files that survive context resets, enable progress resumption, and provide explicit traceability.

Key Principle: Filesystem as Extended Memory

• Plan defines "what to do" (phases, dependencies, criteria)
• Notes capture "what learned" (findings, errors, decisions)
• Progress tracked via checkboxes (visual state)
• Branch-specific scope (isolation between features/bugs)

File Structure

All files reside in .map/ directory with branch-based naming:

.map/
├── task_plan_<branch>.md    # Primary plan with phases and status
├── findings_<branch>.md     # Research findings, decisions, key files
└── progress_<branch>.md     # Action log, errors, test results

Example: On branch feature-auth:

• .map/task_plan_feature-auth.md
• .map/findings_feature-auth.md
• .map/progress_feature-auth.md

Hook Behavior

PreToolUse Hook (Before Write/Edit/Bash)

Runs show-focus.sh → extracts only the in_progress section (~200 tokens) and displays Goal + current phase. Purpose: Re-anchors agent to original goal before taking action, prevents goal drift.

Stop Hook (Before Agent Exit)

Runs check-complete.sh → validates all phases have terminal state before allowing exit.

Terminal States: complete, blocked, won't_do, superseded

Plan File Structure

# Task Plan: <Brief Title>

## Goal
<One sentence describing end state>

## Current Phase
ST-001

## Phases

### ST-001: <Title>
**Status:** in_progress
Risk: low|medium|high
Complexity: 1-10
Files: <paths>

Validation:
- [ ] <criterion 1>
- [ ] <criterion 2>

### ST-002: <Title>
**Status:** pending
...

## Terminal State
**Status:** pending
Reason: [Not yet complete]

Workflow Integration

Initialization

${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/init-session.sh

Creates .map/ directory and skeleton files for current branch.

Progress Tracking

• PreToolUse hook auto-displays focus before Write/Edit/Bash
• Update Status: in_progress → Status: complete as phases finish
• Check validation criteria checkboxes [x] when done

3-Strike Error Protocol

Log errors to progress_<branch>.md after attempt 3+. After 3 failed attempts:

1. Escalate to user (CONTINUE/SKIP/ABORT options)
2. If SKIP: mark phase blocked, move to next subtask
3. If ABORT: mark workflow blocked, exit

Terminal State

Update ## Terminal State with final status before exiting. Stop hook validates this.

MAP Workflow Integration

When /map-efficient runs:

1. init-session.sh creates .map/ skeleton
2. task-decomposer populates phases from blueprint
3. Actor implements → PreToolUse hook shows focus
4. Monitor validates → outputs status_update field
5. Orchestrator updates task_plan using Monitor's status_update
6. Stop hook validates terminal state before exit

/map-fast skips planning — hooks are no-op if plan missing.

Single-Writer Governance

Only Monitor agent updates task_plan status (via status_update output field).

Why: Prevents race conditions, ensures consistent state, clear ownership.

Best Practices

• Goal clarity: Specific, measurable outcomes
• Granular phases: Each phase = 1 agent action
• Checkpoint frequently: Update status immediately after completion
• Terminal state early: Mark blocked as soon as blocker identified

Error Handling

Terminal States

Version: 1.0.0 (2025-01-10)

References:

• planning-with-files - Original pattern