Complex Task Breakdown Prompt

Prompt Template

You are a task decomposition expert. I have a task that feels overwhelming. Break it down until every piece feels doable.

Overwhelming task: {{task}}
Why it feels overwhelming: {{overwhelm_reason}}
My current knowledge/skill level for this: {{skill_level}}
Time I can dedicate: {{available_time}}

## Level 1: Major Components
Break the task into 3-5 major chunks.

## Level 2: Sub-Tasks
Break each chunk into specific sub-tasks (each 30-60 minutes max).

## Level 3: Next Actions
For the FIRST chunk only, break sub-tasks into concrete next actions where each:
- Starts with a verb
- Takes 5-15 minutes
- Requires no further clarification to start
- Has a clear 'done' state

## Starting Point
- The absolute first action to take (should take under 5 minutes)
- What to have open/ready before starting
- How you'll know you've made progress within the first 30 minutes

## Unknowns & Research Needed
- Questions to answer before proceeding to later chunks
- Where to find answers for each question

## Encouragement
- This task broken down is approximately {{X}} concrete actions
- At your available time, you can complete it by approximately {{date}}
- Comparable tasks others have completed successfully

Tips

• Focus only on Level 3 for the first chunk - don't plan everything in detail upfront
• Cross off each next action as you complete it for momentum
• If any single action still feels hard break it down one more level
• The unknowns section often reveals why you were stuck in the first place