AI Maestro Planning Solve the execution problem -- staying focused during complex, multi-step tasks. Uses persistent markdown files to track goals, findings, and progress so you never lose context. Part of the AI Maestro suite. When to Use Multi-step tasks (3+ steps) Research projects Building features requiring >5 tool calls Any task where you might lose track of the goal The 3-File Pattern Create in docs_dev/ (or $AIMAESTRO_PLANNING_DIR ): File Purpose Update When task_plan.md Goals, phases, decisions, errors After each phase findings.md Research, discoveries, resources During research progress.md Session log, test results Throughout session Quick Start PLAN_DIR = " ${AIMAESTRO_PLANNING_DIR :- docs_dev} " mkdir -p " $PLAN_DIR " Then create task_plan.md with:
Task: [Goal]
Phases
[ ] Phase 1: Research
[ ] Phase 2: Design
[ ] Phase 3: Implement
[ ] Phase 4: Test
Decisions | Decision | Rationale | Date | |
|
|
|
Errors Encountered | Error | Attempt | Resolution | |
|
|
| The 6 Rules Create plan first -- Never start complex work without task_plan.md Read before decide -- Re-read the plan before any major decision Update after act -- Mark phases complete, log what changed 2-action rule -- After every 2 search/browse operations, save findings to findings.md Log all errors -- Every error goes in the plan with attempt number and resolution Never repeat failures -- If an action failed, change your approach The 3-Strike Protocol Strike Action 1 Diagnose root cause, apply targeted fix 2 Try a different approach entirely 3 Question assumptions, search for similar issues After 3 Escalate to user with all attempts documented The 5-Question Reboot Lost? Answer these from your planning files: Where am I? (current phase in task_plan.md ) Where am I going? (remaining phases) What's the goal? (goal section) What have I learned? ( findings.md ) What have I done? ( progress.md ) Full AI Maestro Experience This skill works standalone with no dependencies. For the complete experience including memory search , docs search , graph query , agent messaging , and agent management , install the full AI Maestro platform.