memex/projects/org-agent-memex/org-agent-memex-workbreakdown/README.md

GTD Work Breakdown (org-agent-memex-workbreakdown)

Meta-cognitive skill to prevent AI assistants and users from stalling on complex tasks. Forces atomic decomposition before execution.

The Problem

Complex tasks cause:

• Context saturation (procrastination)
• Scope creep (adding "just one more thing")
• The "heartbeat loop" (repeating tasks without progress)
• Overwhelm and hesitation

The Solution

Decompose first, execute second.

1. Analyze task complexity (>3 steps? >2 files?)
2. Break into atomic TODOs in GTD.org
3. Execute only the FIRST item
4. Yield back to user

Configuration

Uses same .env structure as other org-agent-memex skills:

• MEMEX_DIR
• MEMEX_USER
• MEMEX_ASSISTANT
• CURRENT_TEXT_MANIPULATION_MODEL

Usage

When a task feels complex:

1. Ask AI: "Break this down with Work Breakdown skill"
2. AI creates TODOs in GTD.org
3. Execute only first item
4. Report: "[X] Completed step 1. 4 tasks remaining. Continue?"

Anti-Patterns This Prevents

• "I'll just do it all at once"
• Editing 5+ files before committing
• Writing conditional logic on the fly
• "Let me think about it..." (stalling)