To-Do Manager

Manages TODO.md files in repository roots for tracking project tasks, ideas, and plans.

When to Use

Activate when the user wants to:

• Create a new TODO.md file in a project
• Update existing TODO items
• Add new tasks, ideas, or plans to a project
• View or organize project to-do lists
• Track project status across multiple repositories

File Location

Creates or updates TODO.md in the root directory of the current repository.

Structure

Table Format

The TODO.md file MUST begin with a markdown table using this format:

| Status | Priority | Task | Notes |
|--------|----------|------|-------|
| 🚧 | High | Task description | Additional context |
| ⏸️ | Medium | Another task | More details |
| ✅ | Low | Completed item | Done! |

Status Icons

Use these standard status markers:

• 📋 – To Do (not started)
• 🚧 – In Progress (actively working)
• ⏸️ – Blocked/Paused (waiting on something)
• ✅ – Done (completed)
• ❌ – Won’t Do (cancelled/deprioritized)

Priority Levels

• High – Critical, needs immediate attention
• Medium – Important but not urgent
• Low – Nice to have, future work

Elaboration Sections

Below the table, users can add freeform sections for additional context:

## Context

Background information about the project or specific tasks.

## Ideas

Brainstorming and future possibilities.

## Completed

Detailed notes on finished work and outcomes.

## Notes

Any other relevant information.

Operations

Create New TODO.md

When creating a new file:

1. Verify we’re in a git repository (check for .git directory)
2. Create TODO.md in the repository root
3. Add initial table structure with example row
4. Add placeholder sections if requested

Update Existing TODO.md

When updating:

1. Read the existing TODO.md
2. Parse the table (preserve all existing rows)
3. Add/update/remove rows as requested
4. Maintain table formatting
5. Preserve all content below the table

Guidelines

• Always preserve the table at the top – Never move or remove it
• Keep the table concise – Use the elaboration sections for lengthy details
• Order by status – Remaining items (📋, 🚧, ⏸️) at top, completed items (✅, ❌) at bottom
• Link to details – If a remaining item has a detailed section below, make the Task column a markdown anchor link (e.g., [Task Name](#task-name))
• Completed items are summary only – Remove detailed specs for completed items; keep just a brief note in the Notes column with completion date
• Be specific – Task descriptions should be actionable (“Add user authentication” not “Auth stuff”)

Example TODO.md

# Project TODO

| Status | Priority | Task | Notes |
|--------|----------|------|-------|
| 🚧 | High | [Implement authentication](#implement-authentication) | Using Next-Auth |
| 📋 | High | [Set up database schema](#set-up-database-schema) | PostgreSQL with Prisma |
| 📋 | Medium | Create landing page | Use shadcn/ui components |
| ⏸️ | Low | [Add dark mode support](#add-dark-mode-support) | Blocked: waiting on design |
| ✅ | High | Configure CI/CD pipeline | GitHub Actions (2026-01-15) |
| ✅ | Medium | Set up linting | ESLint + Prettier (2026-01-10) |

## Progress

**Completed: 2 / 6** (33%)

---

## Remaining Items

### Implement authentication

**Location**: `src/auth/`

**Problem**: Need secure user authentication with social login support.

**Proposed Solution**: Use Next-Auth with GitHub and Google providers.

---

### Set up database schema

**Location**: `prisma/schema.prisma`

**Problem**: Need to define data models for users, projects, and tasks.

**Proposed Solution**: Use Prisma ORM with PostgreSQL.

---

### Add dark mode support

**Location**: `src/styles/`

**Problem**: Users want dark mode option.

**Status**: Blocked waiting on design team's color palette.

Workflow

1. User requests to-do action (create, update, view)
2. Determine repository root (search for .git directory)
3. Check for existing TODO.md
4. Perform requested operation:
   • Create: Generate new file with template
   • Update: Modify table while preserving structure
   • View: Display current contents
5. Confirm changes with user

Anti-Patterns

• Don’t create TODO.md outside of repository roots
• Don’t remove or restructure the table without user consent
• Don’t use inconsistent status icons
• Don’t add vague or non-actionable tasks
• Don’t keep detailed specs for completed items – summarize in Notes column
• Don’t put completed items above remaining items in the table
• Don’t forget anchor links for items that have detailed sections