doing-tasks – OpenClaw Skill

---

name: doing-tasks description: "Use when executing any task. Work through plans systematically, tracking progress, handling blockers, and coordinating with other skills. The central execution skill."

Doing Tasks - Execution Core

The Rule

If a task exists, you MUST use the appropriate skill before acting.

User message received
    ↓
Might any skill apply? → YES (even 1% chance) → Invoke skill
    ↓                                    ↓
    NO ← definitely not                  Announce: "Using [skill]"
    ↓                                    ↓
Respond                              Follow skill exactly

Skill Priority

When multiple skills could apply:

1. Process skills first (brainstorming, debugging) - determine HOW
2. Planning skills second (write-plan) - create roadmap
3. Execution skills third (doing-tasks, dispatch-multiple-agents) - do the work
4. Verification skills last (verify-task) - confirm completion

The Workflow

Standard Project Flow:

brainstorming → write-plan → doing-tasks → verify-task
     ↑                              ↓
     └────── refinement ←───────────┘

With Parallel Execution:

brainstorming → write-plan → dispatch-multiple-agents → verify-task
                                   ↓
                            doing-tasks (per subagent)

Red Flags - STOP and Check Skills

Thought	Reality
"This is just a simple question"	Questions are tasks. Check for skills.
"I need more context first"	Skill check comes BEFORE clarifying.
"Let me explore first"	Skills tell you HOW to explore.
"I can check files quickly"	Check for skills first.
"I remember this skill"	Skills evolve. Read current version.
"This doesn't need a formal skill"	If a skill exists, use it.
"I'll just do this one thing first"	Check BEFORE doing anything.

Execution Discipline

Do:

• Check for skills BEFORE any action
• Follow the plan exactly
• Mark tasks complete as you finish
• Report blockers immediately
• Ask for clarification when unclear

Don't:

• Skip skills because "it's simple"
• Add unplanned scope without approval
• Work silently for long periods
• Guess when unclear
• Let blockers sit unreported

Integration with Clawlist

For long-running or infinite tasks:

doing-tasks → update ongoing-tasks.md → schedule next run

The doing-tasks skill executes, then updates the task tracking file for heartbeat monitoring.

Sub-Skills Reference

• brainstorming - Before any creative work
• write-plan - After design, before execution
• dispatch-multiple-agents - For parallel independent tasks
• verify-task - After completion

Example

User: "Build me a todo app"

Correct flow:

1. "Using brainstorming skill to clarify requirements"
2. Brainstorm: Ask questions, explore approaches
3. "Using write-plan skill to create implementation plan"
4. Write-plan: Create checkpoints and tasks
5. "Using doing-tasks skill to execute"
6. Execute: Work through plan
7. "Using verify-task skill to confirm completion"
8. Verify: Check against plan, get user approval

Incorrect:

• Jumping straight to coding without brainstorming
• Starting work without a plan
• Skipping verification