
Start Command
OfficialFreeInitialize your productivity system with ease.
Free · Opens the source repo
What Start Command does
The Start Command skill is designed to set up your productivity system by initializing the task and memory systems and opening a unified dashboard. This skill is particularly useful when you are configuring the plugin for the first time or need to bootstrap your working memory from an existing task list. It ensures that you have all necessary files in place, such as your task list and memory files, to facilitate a smooth workflow.
When you run the Start Command, it first checks the working directory for essential files like TASKS.md, CLAUDE.md, and dashboard.html. If any of these files are missing, the skill will create them using standard templates or copy them from the plugin root. This automation reduces the manual setup time and helps you get started quickly. Once the necessary files are in place, the skill opens the dashboard, allowing you to visualize your tasks and memory.
In addition to setting up your environment, the Start Command skill also assists in bootstrapping your memory. It prompts you to provide your existing task list, whether it's a local file or from a task management app. The skill analyzes your tasks for shorthand terms, nicknames, and project codenames, asking for clarification on any ambiguous terms. This interactive decoding process helps create a more personalized memory file, which enhances the overall productivity experience.
The skill is ideal for developers and designers who want to streamline their task management and memory organization. By initializing your productivity system with the Start Command, you can ensure that your workflow is efficient and tailored to your specific needs.
When to use it
Use this skill when you are configuring the productivity plugin for the first time or need to establish a task and memory system.
When not to use it
This skill is not suitable if your productivity system is already initialized and you only need to update tasks or memory.
What you can build with it
First-Time Setup
Use the Start Command to initialize your productivity system and create necessary files during your first setup.
Bootstrapping Memory
Run the skill to bootstrap memory by analyzing your existing task list for shorthand and project names.
Opening the Dashboard
Quickly open the dashboard to visualize your tasks and memory after the initial setup.
How to install Start Command
View source1. Install with the skills CLI
npx skills add anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins/start --agent claude-code2. Or install it manually
Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.
Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs
Inside SKILL.md
Written by anthropicsStart Command
If you see unfamiliar placeholders or need to check which tools are connected, see 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 listCLAUDE.md— working memorymemory/— deep memory directorydashboard.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):
# Memory
## Me
[Name], [Role] on [Team].
## People
| Who | Role |
|-----|------|
| **[Nickname]** | [Full Name], [role] |
## Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|------|---------|
| [acronym] | [expansion] |
## Projects
| Name | What |
|------|------|
| **[Codename]** | [description] |
## Preferences
- [preferences discovered]
memory/ directory:
memory/glossary.md— full decoder ring (acronyms, terms, nicknames, codenames)memory/people/{name}.md— individual profilesmemory/projects/{name}.md— project detailsmemory/context/company.md— teams, tools, processes
8. Report Results
Productivity system ready:
- Tasks: TASKS.md (X items)
- Memory: X people, X terms, X projects
- Dashboard: open in browser
Use /productivity:update to keep things current (add --comprehensive for a deep scan).
Notes
- If memory is already initialized, this just opens the dashboard
- Nicknames are critical — always capture how people are actually referred to
- If a source isn't available, skip it and note the gap
- Memory grows organically through natural conversation after bootstrap
Frequently asked questions about Start Command
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