Task Breakdown Skill

When to Use

• Breaking specs into implementation tasks
• Organizing work by features
• Planning sequential or parallel execution
• Estimating implementation effort

Feature Organization Methodology

Principle

UPMOST IMPORTANCE: The best path is the shortest to get working software that can be tested end-to-end.

Each feature delivers a complete user-facing capability that works across all application layers. Tasks are organized sequentially within each feature to achieve working, testable software as quickly as possible.

Feature Organization

Feature Structure:

## 1. [ ] Users should be able to signup

- 1.1 [ ] Create user migrations
- 1.2 [ ] Add /signup end-point
- 1.3 [ ] Build user signup form
- 1.4 [ ] Add user signup form validations
- 1.5 [ ] Send signup confirmation email
- 1.6 [ ] Add /signup/confirmation/:confirmation_id end-point
  - 1.6.1 [ ] Verify valid token
  - 1.6.2 [ ] Throw error with expired tokens
  - 1.6.3 [ ] Activate user account
- 1.7 [ ] Build user email confirmation page

## 2. [ ] Users should be able to login

- 2.1 [ ] Add /signin end-point
- 2.2 [ ] Build user sign-in form
- 2.3 [ ] Add user sign-in validations
- 2.4 [ ] Display "Lost password?" link after failed attempt

Feature Boundaries

Good feature: "Users should be able to signup"

• Complete end-to-end functionality
• Works across all layers (database, backend, frontend)
• Can be tested and demonstrated
• Delivers immediate user value

Bad feature: "All database migrations"

• Horizontal layer, not vertical feature
• Cannot be tested end-to-end
• Doesn't deliver user value by itself

Task Types Within Features

As you break down each feature, you'll typically encounter these types of tasks in logical sequence:

• Data layer: Migrations, schema design, indexes
• Backend: API endpoints, business logic, validation, error handling
• Frontend: UI components, forms, user flows, state management
• Integration: Email sending, external APIs, webhooks
• Testing: Unit tests, integration tests, E2E tests

The key is to organize these in the shortest path to working software, not in separate sections.

Estimation Guidelines

Complexity Levels:

• Simple (1 point): Straightforward, well-understood, minimal dependencies
• Medium (3 points): Moderate complexity, some unknowns, few dependencies
• Complex (5 points): High complexity, many unknowns, multiple dependencies
• Very Complex (8 points): Requires research, high risk, many dependencies

Red Flags:

• Tasks larger than 8 points (break down further)
• Vague task descriptions
• Hidden dependencies

Dependency Analysis

1. Identify Dependencies:

   • What must be done before this task?
   • What blocks this task?
   • What does this task enable?

2. Critical Path:

   • Longest chain of dependent tasks
   • High-risk items should be tackled early

3. Parallel Opportunities:

   • Tasks with no dependencies can run in parallel
   • Different specialties can work simultaneously within a feature

Orchestration Strategies

Sequential Execution

• One feature at a time, in priority order
• Complete all tasks for feature 1, then move to feature 2
• Each feature delivers working, testable software before moving to the next
• Best for: Learning codebases, tight coordination needed, high-risk features

Parallel Execution

• Multiple features simultaneously
• Multiple subagents working on independent features
• Best for: Large specs with independent features, experienced teams, well-defined boundaries
• Requires careful dependency management

Formatting Standards

CRITICAL: Follow template formatting exactly:

• Use text checkboxes: [ ] for incomplete, [x] for complete
• NEVER use emojis for checkboxes or task status
• ALL tasks MUST have task IDs in the format: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, etc.
• ALL subtasks MUST have nested IDs like: 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3
• Follow the exact structure and styling from tasks-template.md
• Maintain consistent indentation (2 spaces for nested items)
• Feature headers use: ## N. [ ] Feature description
• Tasks use: - N.M [ ] Task description
• Subtasks use: - N.M.K [ ] Subtask description

Templates

See templates/ directory for:

• tasks-template.md