How Rule 2 (Number Multi-Step Tasks) Reduces Cognitive Load for ADHD Users

Rule 2 requires that any instruction needing more than one action be formatted as a numbered list (1️⃣, 2️⃣, 3️⃣), which externalizes working memory demands and creates scannable visual anchors for users with ADHD.

The ayghri/i-have-adhd repository defines a structured skill set designed to make AI interactions more accessible for people with attention differences. At line 42 of skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md, Rule 2 mandates that complex instructions be broken into numbered steps to mitigate common ADHD challenges like forgetfulness, overwhelm, and sequencing difficulties.

What Is Rule 2 (Number Multi-Step Tasks)?

According to the canonical skill definition in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md, Rule 2 states that any request requiring multiple actions must be presented as a clearly numbered list rather than a dense paragraph or flow of text. This architectural decision transforms vague directives like "do this and then that" into concrete, sequential milestones.

The rule appears within a framework of ten ADHD-friendly guidelines documented in the repository. As noted in AGENTS.md, SKILL.md serves as the single source of truth for these rules, with synchronized copies maintained in .cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md for the Cursor runtime environment.

Why Numbered Lists Help ADHD Challenges

Reduces Cognitive Load

People with ADHD often struggle to hold several sub-goals in working memory simultaneously. By externalizing each sub-task as a separate, numbered item, the number multi-step tasks approach offloads mental overhead. Users see a concrete roadmap rather than attempting to parse and sequence multiple actions mentally.

Creates Visual Anchors

Numbers act as visual cues that can be scanned rapidly. These anchors help users orient themselves within the conversation flow and provide clear re-entry points after distractions. The emoji-number format (1️⃣, 2️⃣, 3️⃣) recommended in the skill file creates high-contrast markers that draw attention without overwhelming the user.

Supports Incremental Progress

Checking off each step—whether physically or mentally—provides dopaminergic feedback crucial for sustained attention. The numbered structure breaks overwhelming projects into manageable micro-tasks, creating a sense of completion at each step that motivates continued engagement.

Enables Easy Reference

When users need clarification, they can reference "step 2" without re-reading entire instructions. This aligns with ADHD preferences for concise, searchable content and reduces the friction of re-engaging with complex instructions after task-switching.

Implementation Examples

The repository provides clear formatting standards for applying Rule 2 correctly versus incorrectly:

**Correct (Rule 2 applied)**
1️⃣ Open the Settings panel.
2️⃣ Navigate to "Privacy".
3️⃣ Toggle "Location Access" to On.

**Incorrect (no numbering)**
Open Settings → go to Privacy → turn on Location Access.

For programmatic implementations, the skill suggests formatting responses as numbered strings:

// Example of an OpenCode command that respects Rule 2
const response = `
1️⃣ Review your calendar for today's meetings.
2️⃣ Prioritise the three most urgent items.
3️⃣ Allocate a 15‑minute block for each task.`;

Technical Structure in the Repository

The i-have-adhd skill maintains strict file organization to ensure Rule 2 compliance across AI agents:

• skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md – Contains the authoritative text of Rule 2 at line 42, defining the numbered list requirement
• .cursor/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md – Synchronized runtime copy for Cursor IDE integration
• README.md – Provides overview documentation linking to the skill file where Rule 2 is listed
• AGENTS.md – Establishes SKILL.md as the source of truth for all ten ADHD-friendly rules

This file structure ensures consistent application of the number multi-step tasks rule across different AI environments and agent configurations.

Summary

• Rule 2 at line 42 of skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md mandates that multi-action instructions be formatted as numbered lists (1️⃣, 2️⃣, 3️⃣).
• Number multi-step tasks reduce cognitive load by externalizing working memory demands into visual anchors.
• Numbered formatting supports incremental progress tracking and enables precise reference to specific steps.
• The ayghri/i-have-adhd repository synchronizes this rule across SKILL.md, .cursor/ runtime files, and agent documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Rule 2 defined in the i-have-adhd repository?

Rule 2 is defined at line 42 of skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md, which serves as the canonical source of truth for all ten ADHD-friendly interaction rules according to AGENTS.md.

Why use emoji numbers (1️⃣) instead of plain text numbers?

The emoji format creates high-contrast visual anchors that are easier to scan quickly, providing clear re-entry points for users who may become distracted during multi-step tasks.

How does numbering tasks help with ADHD-related forgetfulness?

By externalizing the sequence of actions into discrete, numbered items, users do not need to hold the entire task chain in working memory. If interrupted, they can simply locate the last completed number rather than reconstructing the full instruction set.

Can Rule 2 be applied to programming contexts?

Yes. The repository includes TypeScript examples showing how to format AI responses as numbered strings, ensuring that code generation and technical instructions follow the same cognitive accessibility standards as general conversation.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}