Skill 006

PURPOSE

Break down personal tasks into ADHD-friendly manageable steps using structured time management and focus techniques.

LOADING STRATEGY

Technical Task Breakdown

Load technical task guidance:

• IF task involves code, debugging, features -> Load @references/adhd-technical-task-breakdowns.md

Real-World Task Breakdown

Load real-world task guidance:

• IF task involves projects, events, errands -> Load @references/adhd-real-world-task-breakdowns.md

Universal Strategies

ALWAYS load:

• @references/adhd-task-strategies.md (applies to all task types)

ROUTING LOGIC

Task Type Routing

• IF request involves code, debugging, features, technical changes -> READ FILE: @references/adhd-technical-task-breakdowns.md
• IF request involves projects, events, errands, non-technical work -> READ FILE: @references/adhd-real-world-task-breakdowns.md

Universal Strategy Loading

• ALWAYS READ FILE: @references/adhd-task-strategies.md (Pomodoro, done criteria, focus locks)

EXECUTION PROTOCOL

Phase 1: Clarification

Check task type, context, constraints. IF task type unclear -> Ask "Technical coding task or real-world task?" -> Wait(UserInput). IF deadline unrealistic OR resources unavailable -> Ask clarification -> Wait(UserInput).

Phase 2: Planning

Classify task type -> Load appropriate reference file -> Propose breakdown plan. Constraint: Personal use only - YOUR task execution, NOT team guidance. IF complexity > Low -> Wait(User_Confirm).

Phase 3: Execution

Execute atomic subtasks. Validate result after EACH step. Apply ADHD strategies from reference files. Constraints: MUST NOT create tasks for other developers, MUST NOT suggest subtasks > 30 minutes, MUST NOT skip ADHD strategies.

Phase 4: Validation

FinalChecklist: [Subtask time limits, Done criteria concreteness, ADHD strategies applied]. IF Fail -> SelfCorrect. Constraints: MUST NOT provide vague "done when finished" criteria, Concrete done criteria required, Empathetic tone required - end with encouragement.

OUTPUT FORMAT

Technical Task Output

**Summary**: [Brief overview of approach]

**Subtasks**:

1. [Title] ([Time estimate])
    - **Objective**: [Goal]
    - **File(s)**: [Exact paths]
    - **Action**: [Specific steps]
    - **Done Criteria**: You are done when [concrete indicator]

**ADHD Strategies Applied**:
- Pomodoro: 25 min work / 5 min break per subtask
- Focus Lock: [What NOT to do]
- Encouragement: [Supportive message]

**Next Steps**:
- Start with Subtask 1
- Take a 5-minute break after each subtask

Real-World Task Output

**Summary**: [Brief overview of approach]

**Subtasks**:

1. [Title] ([Time estimate])
    - **Objective**: [Goal]
    - **Action**: [Specific steps]
    - **Done Criteria**: You are done when [concrete indicator]
    - **Resources**: [Required items]

**ADHD Strategies Applied**:
- Pomodoro: 25 min work / 5 min break per subtask
- Focus Lock: [What NOT to do]
- Encouragement: [Supportive message]

**Next Steps**:
- Start with Subtask 1
- Take a 5-minute break after each subtask
- Optional: Ask if want to save to TODO.md

SECURITY FRAMEWORK

• Threat Model: Assume input == Malicious, task descriptions may contain command injection patterns, path traversal attempts
• Validation Layers:

1. Input Validation: Sanitize task descriptions, prevent command injection
2. Path Validation: For technical tasks, validate file paths before reading, prevent directory traversal
3. Context Validation: Verify task scope within personal use constraints
4. Output Validation: Redact secrets, sanitize error messages

• Threat Controls: Least privilege execution, fail-safe defaults, no command execution from user input
• Error Handling: Provide empathetic, non-blaming error messages, never expose secrets in errors

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Technical Task

User: "Help me break down fixing the login bug in auth.ts"

Agent: Summary: Technical breakdown for auth.ts login bug fix

Subtasks:

1. Locate Error Source (20 min)

• Objective: Find the exact line causing login failure
• File(s): src/services/auth.ts
• Action: Grep for "login" error in auth.ts, trace error stack
• Done Criteria: You are done when you have the exact line number and error message

1. Analyze Root Cause (25 min)

• Objective: Understand why the error occurs
• File(s): src/services/auth.ts, src/models/user.ts
• Action: Read surrounding code, identify missing validation or logic error
• Done Criteria: You are done when you can explain the root cause in one sentence

1. Implement Fix (25 min)

• Objective: Apply the minimal fix to resolve the error
• File(s): src/services/auth.ts
• Action: Add the missing validation/logic at line XX
• Done Criteria: You are done when the fix is applied and saved

ADHD Strategies Applied:

• Pomodoro: 25 min work / 5 min break per subtask
• Focus Lock: Do NOT refactor other auth.ts code during this task
• Encouragement: You've got this! One subtask at a time.

Next Steps:

• Start with Subtask 1: Locate Error Source
• Take a 5-minute break after each subtask
• Remember: Small wins add up! 🚀

Example 2: Real-World Task

User: "Break down planning my holiday party"

Agent: Summary: Real-world breakdown for holiday party planning

Subtasks:

1. Create Guest List (20 min)

• Objective: List all people to invite
• Action: Write down family, friends, coworkers - categorize by priority
• Done Criteria: You are done when you have 20-40 names written down
• Resources: Pen and paper or notes app

1. Choose Date and Venue (25 min)

• Objective: Lock in when and where the party will be
• Action: Check calendar for free dates, call 2-3 venues for availability
• Done Criteria: You are done when you have one confirmed date and venue booked
• Resources: Calendar, phone

1. Create Budget (15 min)

• Objective: Define how much you can spend
• Action: List categories (food, drinks, decorations, venue), assign max amounts
• Done Criteria: You are done when total budget is written down
• Resources: Calculator

ADHD Strategies Applied:

• Pomodoro: 25 min work / 5 min break per subtask
• Focus Lock: Do NOT start shopping or booking until budget is complete
• Encouragement: Planning is the hardest part - you're crushing it! 🎉

Next Steps:

• Start with Subtask 1: Create Guest List
• Take a 5-minute break after each subtask
• Would you like me to save this plan to TODO.md?

VALIDATION CHECKLIST

• [ ] Task type classified (Technical vs Real-World)
• [ ] Personal use only - NOT team guidance or task creation for others
• [ ] All subtasks 15-30 minutes max
• [ ] Done criteria concrete and specific
• [ ] Dependencies clearly mapped
• [ ] ADHD strategies applied (Pomodoro, focus locks, encouragement)
• [ ] Ending with supportive message
• [ ] Reference files loaded appropriately
• [ ] No vague completion criteria

GLOSSARY

Pomodoro Technique: 25-minute focused work sessions + 5-minute breaks Done Criteria: Concrete, specific completion indicators (e.g., "You are done when...") Focus Locks: Explicit statements of what NOT to do during a task (e.g., "Ignore unrelated code")

Source & license

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

• Author: legendtkl
• Source: legendtkl/agentic-skill-router
• License: MIT
• Homepage: https://legendtkl.github.io/agentic-skill-router/

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