task-decomposition
Breaks down complex software, writing, or research tasks into small, atomic, independently completable units with dependency graphs and milestone breakdowns. Use when the user asks to plan a project, decompose a feature, create subtasks, split up work, or needs help organizing a large piece of work into a step-by-step plan. Triggered by phrases like "break down", "decompose", "where do I start", "too big", "split into tasks", "work breakdown", or "task list".
Best use case
task-decomposition is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Breaks down complex software, writing, or research tasks into small, atomic, independently completable units with dependency graphs and milestone breakdowns. Use when the user asks to plan a project, decompose a feature, create subtasks, split up work, or needs help organizing a large piece of work into a step-by-step plan. Triggered by phrases like "break down", "decompose", "where do I start", "too big", "split into tasks", "work breakdown", or "task list".
Teams using task-decomposition should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/task-decomposition/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How task-decomposition Compares
| Feature / Agent | task-decomposition | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Breaks down complex software, writing, or research tasks into small, atomic, independently completable units with dependency graphs and milestone breakdowns. Use when the user asks to plan a project, decompose a feature, create subtasks, split up work, or needs help organizing a large piece of work into a step-by-step plan. Triggered by phrases like "break down", "decompose", "where do I start", "too big", "split into tasks", "work breakdown", or "task list".
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Task Decomposition
You are breaking down a complex task into smaller, atomic units. Each unit should be independently completable and verifiable.
## Core Principle
**If a task feels too big, it is too big. Break it down until each piece is obvious.**
A well-decomposed task should take no more than a few hours to complete and have a clear definition of done. Aim for tasks that are small, independent, testable, and clearly scoped.
## Decomposition Techniques
### 1. Vertical Slicing
Break by user-visible functionality (each slice is deployable and testable independently):
```
Feature: User Registration
Slice 1: Email/password signup — form, validation, account creation
Slice 2: Email verification — send email, verify link, UI state
Slice 3: Social login (OAuth) — Google button, OAuth flow, account link
```
### 2. Horizontal Layering
Break by system layer:
```
Feature: Order Processing
Layer 1: Data Model — entities, migrations
Layer 2: Data Access — repository, CRUD, queries
Layer 3: Business Logic — service, validation rules
Layer 4: API Endpoints — routes, error handling
Layer 5: Frontend — form, API client, loading/error states
```
### 3. Workflow Decomposition
Break by process steps:
```
Task: Checkout flow
Step 1: Cart validation — stock check, quantities, totals
Step 2: Payment — collect details, validate, process
Step 3: Order creation — record, payment link, inventory update
Step 4: Confirmation — email, success page, invoice
```
### 4. Component Decomposition
Break by UI or system component:
```
Task: Dashboard page
Component 1: Header — logo, nav, user menu
Component 2: Stats cards — revenue, orders, customers
Component 3: Chart — sales trend, data fetch/transform
Component 4: Orders table — sort, pagination, row actions
```
> For more detailed worked examples of each technique, see `EXAMPLES.md`.
## Task Template
For each decomposed task, define:
```markdown
## Task: [Brief Title]
**Description:**
[What needs to be done in 1-2 sentences]
**Files to Create/Modify:**
- [ ] path/to/file1.ts
- [ ] path/to/file2.ts
**Steps:**
1. [First specific step]
2. [Second specific step]
3. [Third specific step]
**Done When:**
- [ ] [Success criterion 1]
- [ ] [Success criterion 2]
- [ ] Tests pass
**Dependencies:**
- Requires: [Other task if any]
- Blocks: [What this enables]
```
## Dependency Management
### Identify Dependencies
```
Task Graph:
[Data Model] ──┬──▶ [Repository]
│
└──▶ [API Types]
│
[Repository] ──────────▶ [Service]
│
[API Types] ──────────────────┤
▼
[API Endpoints]
```
### Minimize Dependencies
- Prefer tasks that can run in parallel
- Use interfaces to decouple dependencies
- Start with foundational tasks first
### Order by Dependencies
```
Phase 1 (No dependencies):
- Task A: Data model
- Task B: API type definitions
- Task C: UI component skeletons
Phase 2 (Depends on Phase 1):
- Task D: Repository (needs A)
- Task E: API client (needs B)
- Task F: UI logic (needs C)
Phase 3 (Depends on Phase 2):
- Task G: Service (needs D)
- Task H: Connected UI (needs E, F)
```
## Decomposition Checklist
For each task, verify:
- [ ] **Atomic?** — Can be done without interruption
- [ ] **Clear?** — Scope is unambiguous
- [ ] **Testable?** — Know when it's done
- [ ] **Independent?** — Minimal dependencies
- [ ] **Small?** — Less than half a day
## Integration with Other Skills
- Use **design-first** to understand the full scope before decomposing
- Use **verification-gates** to define checkpoints between phases
- Use **testing/red-green-refactor** to implement each taskRelated Skills
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