Track Management

When to use this skill

Use Track Management when an AI agent needs a reusable SKILL.md workflow for this job: Use this skill when creating, managing, or working with Conductor tracks - the logical work units for features, bugs, and refactors. Applies to spec.md, plan.md, and track lifecycle operations.

When not to use it

Skip Track Management when the task is outside the productivity category, or when a more specific skill in this directory already covers the same workflow with clearer triggers.

How to install

1. Personal install: create ~/.claude/skills/track-management/SKILL.md (and any bundled scripts) so Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and compatible agents can load it in every project.
2. Project install: commit the same folder at .claude/skills/track-management/ so teammates get the skill with the repo.
3. Restart the agent session after copying files so it re-scans the skills directory, then ask for the task in words that match the skill description.

Full install guide for Claude, Cursor, and Codex

What this skill does

# Track Management

Guide for creating, managing, and completing Conductor tracks - the logical work units that organize features, bugs, and refactors through specification, planning, and implementation phases.

## When to Use This Skill

- Creating new feature, bug, or refactor tracks - Writing or reviewing spec.md files - Creating or updating plan.md files - Managing track lifecycle from creation to completion - Understanding track status markers and conventions - Working with the tracks.md registry - Interpreting or updating track metadata

## Detailed patterns and worked examples

Detailed pattern documentation lives in `references/details.md`. Read that file when the navigation tier above is insufficient.

## Best Practices

1. **One track, one concern**: Keep tracks focused on a single logical change 2. **Small phases**: Break work into phases of 3-5 tasks maximum 3. **Verification after phases**: Always include verification tasks 4. **Update markers immediately**: Mark task status as you work 5. **Record SHAs**: Always note commit SHAs for completed tasks 6. **Review specs before planning**: Ensure spec is complete before creating plan 7. **Link dependencies**: Explicitly note track dependencies 8. **Archive, don't delete**: Preserve completed tracks for reference 9. **Size appropriately**: Keep tracks between 1-5 days of work 10. **Clear acceptance criteria**: Every requirement must be testable

Intended uses

• Creating new feature, bug, or refactor tracks
• Writing or reviewing spec.md files
• Creating or updating plan.md files
• Managing track lifecycle from creation to completion
• Understanding track status markers and conventions
• Working with the tracks.md registry
• Interpreting or updating track metadata