How the i-have-adhd Skill Formats Multi-Step Tasks as Numbered Lists

The i-have-adhd skill enforces a strict numbered-list format for any workflow requiring more than one action, splitting compound tasks into isolated steps and requiring the assistant to restate the current step count at every turn.

The ayghri/i-have-adhd repository provides a specialized behavioral skill designed to make complex workflows accessible to users with ADHD. When the system detects multi-step work, it automatically applies a rigorous formatting protocol defined in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md to prevent cognitive overwhelm and maintain clear execution paths.

Core Rules for Numbered Multi-Step Tasks

According to the skill's canonical definition at lines 42-56 of skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md, the system implements four strict guidelines whenever it encounters work requiring sequential actions:

1. Detect multi-step work – The skill automatically switches to a numbered list format as soon as a response involves more than a single action.

2. Bound each step – Every list item must describe one bounded action that can be completed in isolation. The skill prohibits compound steps containing multiple "and then" clauses; if a step becomes compound, it splits into separate items.

3. Minimize steps – The system removes unnecessary intermediate actions, folding trivial operations into preceding steps. The guiding philosophy states that "a short path finished beats a complete path abandoned."

4. Provide a concrete next action – Following the numbered list, the skill always appends a single actionable line executable in under two minutes.

Isolating Actions and Minimizing Cognitive Load

The "bound each step" rule ensures that no single list item contains multiple operations. If a helper suggests "open the file and replace the function," the i-have-adhd skill rewrites this as two distinct items:

1. Open `src/auth.ts`
2. Replace the `verifyToken` function (lines 42-58) with the snippet below

This isolation prevents the working memory load that occurs when users must track multiple sub-tasks simultaneously.

Progress Tracking with State Restatement

Beyond initial formatting, the skill maintains continuity across conversation turns through the "Restate state every turn" rule defined at lines 73-79 of skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md. Before proceeding to the next action, the assistant must echo the current position in the sequence:

Step 2 of 5 done

This restatement ensures that users who step away or lose focus can immediately locate their position within the workflow without re-reading previous context.

Code Example: Proper vs. Improper Formatting

The following example demonstrates the skill's transformation of a dense paragraph into a compliant numbered list.

Properly formatted multi-step response:

1. Open `src/auth.ts`
2. Replace the `verifyToken` function (lines 42-58) with the snippet below
3. Run the test suite: `npm test -- auth.spec.ts`

Next: Run npm test -- auth.spec.ts and paste the first failing line.

Incorrect formatting (to be rewritten):

"First open the file, find the function, swap it out, then run the tests."

The skill would automatically reject the paragraph above and rewrite it as the numbered list shown in the first example, because the original violates the "number multi-step tasks" rule by burying four distinct actions in prose.

Source Implementation

The formatting behavior resides in the skill's manifest file at skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md. Lines 42-56 contain the "Number multi-step tasks" specification, while lines 73-79 define the "Restate state every turn" protocol. These rules work together to create what the repository calls a "clear, bite-sized roadmap" that enables users to track progress across turns without losing their place in the workflow.

Summary

• The i-have-adhd skill automatically detects multi-step work and switches to numbered list format to prevent cognitive overload.
• Each step must contain exactly one bounded action with no compound "and then" clauses; complex steps split into separate items.
• The skill minimizes step count by folding trivial operations and following the philosophy that a short completed path outperforms a long abandoned one.
• Every response ends with a concrete next action executable in under two minutes.
• The "Restate state every turn" rule (lines 73-79 of SKILL.md) requires the assistant to echo the current step number before continuing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggers the numbered list format in the i-have-adhd skill?

The skill triggers the numbered list format whenever it detects a workflow requiring more than one discrete action. According to skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md lines 42-56, the system automatically switches to numbered formatting as soon as a response involves sequential operations rather than a single task.

How does the i-have-adhd skill prevent compound steps in numbered lists?

The skill enforces a "bound each step" rule that prohibits list items containing multiple "and then" clauses. If a step describes more than one isolated action, the skill splits it into separate numbered items. This ensures each entry represents exactly one bounded operation that can be completed without holding additional sub-tasks in working memory.

Why does the i-have-adhd skill restate the step count every turn?

The "Restate state every turn" rule (lines 73-79 of skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) requires the assistant to echo the current step position (e.g., "Step 2 of 5 done") before proceeding. This accommodation addresses ADHD-related working memory challenges by ensuring users can immediately identify their position in a workflow after interruptions or focus breaks.

Where are the multi-step task formatting rules defined in the repository?

The formatting rules are defined in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md. Lines 42-56 contain the "Number multi-step tasks" specification, while lines 73-79 define the "Restate state every turn" requirement. These sections establish the canonical behavior for all multi-step responses generated by the skill.

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