Task Breakdown

Overview

Break down complex features into atomic, verifiable subtasks with dependency tracking. Each subtask gets its own JSON file with clear acceptance criteria and deliverables.

Announce at start: "I'm using the task-breakdown skill to create an execution plan for [feature]."

The Process

Step 1: Analyze Feature

Identify these elements:

• Core objective and scope
• Technical risks and dependencies
• Natural task boundaries
• Tasks that can run in parallel

Step 2: Create Task Plan

Write .tmp/tasks/{feature}/task.json:

{
  "id": "jwt-auth",
  "name": "JWT Authentication System",
  "status": "active",
  "objective": "Implement JWT-based authentication with refresh tokens",
  "context_files": [
    ".opencode/context/core/standards/code-quality.md",
    ".opencode/context/core/standards/security-patterns.md"
  ],
  "reference_files": [
    "src/middleware/auth.middleware.ts"
  ],
  "exit_criteria": [
    "All tests passing",
    "JWT tokens signed with RS256"
  ],
  "subtask_count": 3,
  "completed_count": 0,
  "created_at": "2026-02-16T02:00:00Z"
}

Rules:

• Feature ID: kebab-case
• Objective: max 200 chars
• context_files: standards/conventions ONLY
• reference_files: project source files ONLY
• Exit criteria: binary pass/fail

Step 3: Generate Subtasks

Write .tmp/tasks/{feature}/subtask_01.json, subtask_02.json, etc:

{
  "id": "jwt-auth-01",
  "seq": "01",
  "title": "Create JWT service with token generation",
  "status": "pending",
  "depends_on": [],
  "parallel": true,
  "suggested_agent": "CoderAgent",
  "context_files": [
    ".opencode/context/core/standards/security-patterns.md"
  ],
  "reference_files": [],
  "acceptance_criteria": [
    "JWT tokens signed with RS256 algorithm",
    "Access tokens expire in 15 minutes"
  ],
  "deliverables": [
    "src/auth/jwt.service.ts",
    "src/auth/jwt.service.test.ts"
  ]
}

Rules:

• Sequential numbering: 01, 02, 03...
• Atomic tasks: completable in 1-2 hours
• Dependencies: map via depends_on array
• Parallel tasks: set parallel: true for isolated work
• Agent assignment: CoderAgent, TestEngineer, CodeReviewer, OpenFrontendSpecialist
• Acceptance criteria: binary pass/fail only
• Deliverables: specific file paths or endpoints

Step 4: Validate Structure

Verify:

• ✅ All JSON files valid
• ✅ Dependency references exist
• ✅ Context files separate from reference files
• ✅ Acceptance criteria are binary
• ✅ Deliverables are specific

Step 5: Return Summary

## Tasks Created

Location: .tmp/tasks/jwt-auth/
Files: task.json + 3 subtasks

Subtasks:
- 01: Create JWT service (parallel: true, agent: CoderAgent)
- 02: Create password hashing util (parallel: true, agent: CoderAgent)
- 03: Integrate middleware (parallel: false, agent: CoderAgent)

Next Steps:
- Execute subtasks in dependency order
- Tasks 01 and 02 can run in parallel
- Task 03 depends on completion of 01 and 02

Red Flags

If you think any of these, STOP and re-read this skill:

• "I can just implement it directly, it's not that complex"
• "The breakdown will take longer than just doing it"
• "I already know what needs to be done"
• "There's only really one task here"

Common Rationalizations

Remember

• Each subtask completable in 1-2 hours (atomic)
• context_files = standards ONLY, reference_files = source code ONLY
• Acceptance criteria must be binary (pass/fail)
• Mark isolated tasks as parallel: true
• Assign appropriate agent for each subtask
• Deliverables must be specific file paths

Related

• context-discovery
• code-execution
• parallel-execution

Task: Break down this feature into atomic subtasks: $ARGUMENTS