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:
markdown
| 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:
markdown
## 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:
- •Verify we're in a git repository (check for .git directory)
- •Create TODO.md in the repository root
- •Add initial table structure with example row
- •Add placeholder sections if requested
Update Existing TODO.md
When updating:
- •Read the existing TODO.md
- •Parse the table (preserve all existing rows)
- •Add/update/remove rows as requested
- •Maintain table formatting
- •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
markdown
# 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
- •User requests to-do action (create, update, view)
- •Determine repository root (search for .git directory)
- •Check for existing TODO.md
- •Perform requested operation:
- •Create: Generate new file with template
- •Update: Modify table while preserving structure
- •View: Display current contents
- •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