---
name: al-083-checkpointed-long-task-setup
description: "Set up long agent runs to save progress, check their own work, and resume instead of starting over, a widely shared X thread on agent harness setup. Use when the user wants help with long-running tasks (coding) for a small business."
---

# Checkpointed long task setup

Set up long agent runs to save progress, check their own work, and resume instead of starting over, a widely shared X thread on agent harness setup.

## Inputs to collect first
Ask the user for anything below that they haven't already given you. Don't guess missing facts.

- Your own material (text, notes or data)

## Instructions

Do the task below with the user's inputs in place of each [bracket].

Before you start this long task: [describe], write a PLAN.md with numbered steps and a 'done when' check for each. After every step, update a PROGRESS.md with what's finished, what's next, and any open problems. Verify each step (run tests or re-read the output) before moving on. If you get stuck or run out of time, stop and leave notes so a fresh run can pick up from PROGRESS.md.

## Safety checks (share these with the user)

- Don't let AI make the final call on hiring, pay, performance or discipline. Use it to organise information, and have a person decide using criteria you can explain.
- Check names, dates, numbers and any claim against your own source material before you use the answer. AI can misread or invent details.
- Say clearly which parts need a person to review or approve before anything is sent, paid, posted or filed.

## About this skill

- Works with: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor
- Based on this real-world example: https://x.com/beamnxw/status/2107522996046905797
- Free prompt from AgentPlaybook Real Estate: https://agentic-library.netlify.app/prompt/al-083-checkpointed-long-task-setup/
- To install in an agent that supports Agent Skills, save this file as SKILL.md in a folder with the same name as `name` above (for example in your skills directory). Install steps for Claude.ai, Claude Code, Cursor and Codex: https://agentic-library.netlify.app/skills/