Convert Todos To Tasks

Convert TODOs to Tasks

Scan the codebase for inline debt markers (TODO, FIXME, HACK, XXX), create task files for actionable items, and replace the original comment with a task reference.

Step 1: Scan

Search for TODO/FIXME/HACK/XXX comments across the repo:

rg "TODO|FIXME|HACK|XXX" --glob "!node_modules" --glob "!vendor" --glob "!_closed" --glob "!*.md" -n

Collect results into a deduplicated list. Group entries that refer to the same logical issue (e.g., a TODO and a related FIXME on adjacent lines).

Step 2: Filter

For each unique item, check whether a task file already exists:

1. Search tasks/ for files whose ## Goal or title references the same topic.
2. Search for existing `` references in nearby code.

Skip items that already have a corresponding task file. Report them as "already tracked" in the summary.

Step 3: Present for approval

Show all new items in a single AskUserQuestion for batch approval:

TODO/FIXME items found — N new, M already tracked.

New items:
  [1] TODO  src/foo.rb:42    — "Refactor auth token refresh logic"
  [2] FIXME lib/bar.js:118   — "Race condition on concurrent writes"
  [3] HACK  app/baz.py:7     — "Hardcoded timeout, should use config"
  ...

A) Create task files for all N items.
B) Select which items to convert — list the numbers.
C) Skip — do not create any task files.

If the user selects B, let them pick. If C, stop.

Step 4: Determine epic

Task files live under tasks//. Before creating files:

1. If there is an existing epic that fits (check tasks/*/EPIC.md), assign the

task there.

1. If multiple items cluster into a theme not covered by an existing epic, ask

the user whether to create a new epic or assign to an existing one.

1. If no epics exist at all, create tasks/tech-debt/EPIC.md as a catch-all.

Step 5: Create task files

For each approved item, create a task file using the template from skills/plan-eng-tasks/task-template.md. Read it before generating files.

Populate the task from what the comment and surrounding code tell you:

• Title: Short imperative derived from the comment text.
• Goal: What the TODO describes, plus why it matters (infer from context).
• Context: The file, line, surrounding code, and any relevant architecture.
• Implementation: Best-effort outline. If the fix is unclear, say so.
• Acceptance criteria: At minimum: the TODO comment is resolved, and any

tests that touch the area still pass.

Number tasks sequentially within the epic. If the epic already has tasks, continue from the highest existing number.

Step 6: Replace the TODO comment

After creating the task file, edit the source file to replace the original comment. Keep the comment concise — just a pointer to the task:

Before:

# TODO: Refactor auth token refresh logic to handle edge case where token
#       expires mid-request and retry queue backs up

After:

# See tasks/tech-debt/task-04-refactor-auth-refresh.md

Rules:

• Preserve the comment style of the language (#, //, /* */, etc.).
• If the TODO spans multiple lines, collapse to a single-line reference.
• Do not change any code — only the comment text.

Step 7: Summary

After all changes, display:

CONVERSION COMPLETE
===================

Tasks created: ___
Already tracked (skipped): ___
User-skipped: ___

Created:
  [1] tasks//task-NN-.md  ← src/foo.rb:42
  [2] tasks//task-NN-.md  ← lib/bar.js:118

Source files modified:
  - src/foo.rb (line 42: TODO → task reference)
  - lib/bar.js (line 118: FIXME → task reference)

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: dremonkey
• Source: dremonkey/agents-and-skills
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.