
Start
Bootstrap Anthropic’s knowledge-work plugin with TASKS.md, working memory, and the local dashboard on first run.
Overview
Start is an agent skill most often used in Build (also Operate, Validate) that initializes the knowledge-work task and memory system and prepares the unified dashboard.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins --skill startWhat is this skill?
- Audits working directory for TASKS.md, CLAUDE.md, memory/, and dashboard.html
- Creates TASKS.md from task-management template when missing
- Copies dashboard.html from CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT when absent
- Memory bootstrap workflow when CLAUDE.md and memory/ are fresh
- Cowork-safe dashboard handoff without shell open commands
Adoption & trust: 2.8k installs on skills.sh; 19.6k GitHub stars; 3/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You installed the productivity plugin but lack TASKS.md, working memory files, or a local dashboard the agent can maintain.
Who is it for?
First-time setup of the knowledge-work plugin or rebooting a repo that lost TASKS.md, CLAUDE.md, or memory/.
Skip if: Repos that already have a complete TASKS.md, CLAUDE.md, memory/, and dashboard.html unless you only need shorthand decoding.
When should I use this skill?
Initialize the productivity system and open the dashboard when setting up the plugin for the first time, bootstrapping working memory from your existing task list, or decoding shorthand in todos.
What do I get? / Deliverables
Missing TASKS.md, dashboard.html, and memory scaffolding are created in cwd and you are directed to open the dashboard before deeper task-management workflows run.
- TASKS.md from standard template
- dashboard.html in project root
- CLAUDE.md and memory/ bootstrap when absent
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Spans multiple journey phases - primary shelf plus alternate fits below.
Canonical shelf is Build PM because initialization creates the task and memory artifacts agents use for the rest of the product lifecycle. First-time plugin setup, TASKS.md templating, and dashboard placement are project-management onboarding, not feature code.
Where it fits
Stand up TASKS.md and memory before you commit to a prototype scope doc the agent will track.
Run Start after cloning so sprint tasks and codenames map into the plugin’s standard task template.
Recreate missing dashboard.html and memory/ after resetting a dev machine without losing task conventions.
Re-bootstrap shorthand in todos when customer names and project codenames change mid-lifecycle.
How it compares
One-shot workspace bootstrap—not a standalone task CRUD skill; follow with task-management for ongoing edits.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is start for?
Solo builders and operators using Anthropic’s knowledge-work plugin who need a consistent task list, memory layout, and dashboard on disk.
When should I use start?
Use at Validate when scoping a new workspace, at Build PM when onboarding the plugin, or at Operate when restoring task/memory files after a clean clone.
Is start safe to install?
It instructs filesystem writes in your project directory; review the Security Audits panel on this page and confirm paths before letting an agent copy plugin assets.
Workflow Chain
Then invoke: task management
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Start
# Start Command > If you see unfamiliar placeholders or need to check which tools are connected, see [CONNECTORS.md](../../CONNECTORS.md). Initialize the task and memory systems, then open the unified dashboard. ## Instructions ### 1. Check What Exists Check the working directory for: - `TASKS.md` — task list - `CLAUDE.md` — working memory - `memory/` — deep memory directory - `dashboard.html` — the visual UI ### 2. Create What's Missing **If `TASKS.md` doesn't exist:** Create it with the standard template (see task-management skill). Place it in the current working directory. **If `dashboard.html` doesn't exist:** Copy it from `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/dashboard.html` to the current working directory. **If `CLAUDE.md` and `memory/` don't exist:** This is a fresh setup — after opening the dashboard, begin the memory bootstrap workflow (see below). Place these in the current working directory. ### 3. Open the Dashboard Do NOT use `open` or `xdg-open` — in Cowork, the agent runs in a VM and shell open commands won't reach the user's browser. Instead, tell the user: "Dashboard is ready at `dashboard.html`. Open it from your file browser to get started." ### 4. Orient the User If everything was already initialized: ``` Dashboard open. Your tasks and memory are both loaded. - /productivity:update to sync tasks and check memory - /productivity:update --comprehensive for a deep scan of all activity ``` If memory hasn't been bootstrapped yet, continue to step 5. ### 5. Bootstrap Memory (First Run Only) Only do this if `CLAUDE.md` and `memory/` don't exist yet. The best source of workplace language is the user's actual task list. Real tasks = real shorthand. **Ask the user:** ``` Where do you keep your todos or task list? This could be: - A local file (e.g., TASKS.md, todo.txt) - An app (e.g. Asana, Linear, Jira, Notion, Todoist) - A notes file I'll use your tasks to learn your workplace shorthand. ``` **Once you have access to the task list:** For each task item, analyze it for potential shorthand: - Names that might be nicknames - Acronyms or abbreviations - Project references or codenames - Internal terms or jargon **For each item, decode it interactively:** ``` Task: "Send PSR to Todd re: Phoenix blockers" I see some terms I want to make sure I understand: 1. **PSR** - What does this stand for? 2. **Todd** - Who is Todd? (full name, role) 3. **Phoenix** - Is this a project codename? What's it about? ``` Continue through each task, asking only about terms you haven't already decoded. ### 6. Optional Comprehensive Scan After task list decoding, offer: ``` Do you want me to do a comprehensive scan of your messages, emails, and documents? This takes longer but builds much richer context about the people, projects, and terms in your work. Or we can stick with what we have and add context later. ``` **If they choose comprehensive scan:** Gather data from available MCP sources: - **Chat:** Recent messages, channels, DMs - **Email:** Sent messages, recipients - **Documents:** Recent docs, collaborators - **Calendar:** Meetings, attendees Build a braindump of people, projects, and terms found. Present findings grouped by confidence: - **Ready to add** (high confidence) — offer to add directly - **Needs clarification** — ask the user - **Low frequency / unclear** — note for later ### 7. Write Memory Files From everything gathered, create: **CLAUDE.md** (working memory, ~50-80 lines): ```markdown # Memory ## Me [Name], [Role] on [Team]. ## People | Who | Role | |-----|------| | **[Nickname]** | [Full Name], [role] | ## Terms | Term | Meaning | |------|---------| | [acronym] | [expansion] | ## Projects | Name | Wh