Task List Management

Guidelines for managing task lists in markdown files to track progress on completing a PRD

Task Implementation

• One sub-task at a time: Do NOT start the next sub‑task until you ask the user for permission and they say "yes" or "y"

• Completion protocol:

  1. When you finish a sub‑task, immediately mark it as completed by changing [ ] to [x].
  2. If all subtasks underneath a parent task are now [x], follow this sequence:

  • First: Run the full test suite (pytest, npm test, bin/rails test, etc.)

  • Only if all tests pass: Stage changes (git add .)

  • Clean up: Remove any temporary files and temporary code before committing

  • Commit: Use a descriptive commit message that:

    • Uses conventional commit format (feat:, fix:, refactor:, etc.)

    • Summarizes what was accomplished in the parent task

    • Lists key changes and additions

    • References the task number and PRD context

    • Formats the message as a single-line command using -m flags, e.g.:

      git commit -m "feat: add payment validation logic" -m "- Validates card type and expiry" -m "- Adds unit tests for edge cases" -m "Related to T123 in PRD"
      

  3. Once all the subtasks are marked completed and changes have been committed, mark the parent task as completed.

• Stop after each sub‑task and wait for the user's go‑ahead.

Task List Maintenance

1. Update the task list as you work:

   • Mark tasks and subtasks as completed ([x]) per the protocol above.
   • Add new tasks as they emerge.

2. Maintain the "Relevant Files" section:

   • List every file created or modified.
   • Give each file a one‑line description of its purpose.

AI Instructions

When working with task lists, the AI must:

1. Regularly update the task list file after finishing any significant work.
2. Follow the completion protocol:
   • Mark each finished sub‑task [x].
   • Mark the parent task [x] once all its subtasks are [x].
3. Add newly discovered tasks.
4. Keep "Relevant Files" accurate and up to date.
5. Before starting work, check which sub‑task is next.
6. After implementing a sub‑task, update the file and then pause for user approval.