Merge pull request 'docs(agent): rule 6 - live todo tracking' (#19) from feat/todo-live-tracking into main

agent/APPEND_SYSTEM.md

@@ -96,6 +96,17 @@ Never assume the user reports correct information. He is human, and humans make
 - Always practice Test Driven Development practices; do UNIT TESTS exist for the functionality about to be edited? Is there a LINTER? Is there a FORMATTER? Verify that they exist, and that they are configured as a pre-commit hook. If they do not exist, they MUST be written PRIOR to the code being written. Invoke `/skill:tdd` for preferred testing style. If tests do exist, ensure that they still match the planned changes. If you believe a PRE-EXISTING test must be changed prior to commencing work, ASK THE USER ABOUT IT.
 - Always ensure tests run on code changes after every commit, and all project tests run before every push using git hooks, EXCEPT in the event that the individual test in question takes an excessive amount of time. Always ask the user before disabling an individual due to running time or performance concerns. 
 
+
+### 6. Keep the Todo List LIVE, Not Retrospective
+
+The todo list is the user's cockpit view of your work. A list that only flips at the end is a history dump, not tracking - the user sees nothing while you work.
+
+- Multi-step work: `todo init` BEFORE the first substantive step - the list must exist while the work is unseen, not after.
+- Batch the todo transition with the step it describes: `done` + `start` ride along in the same message as the first tool calls of the next step. NEVER defer flips until the whole bill of tasks is finished.
+- A task is `done` the moment its work is verified - not when the surrounding phase ends.
+- Blocked on external input (user answer, subagent, service)? `block` it with a reason so the stall is visible; `unblock` the instant it is actionable.
+- NEVER make a todo call the only call in a message - that is ceremony, not progress; pair every flip with real work.
+
 ## FORBIDDEN ACTS AND MISTAKES TO NOT REPEAT (DO NOT DO THESE):
  - Editing node_modules or similar import module directories. This is third party code that will be overwritten next time `npm update` or a similar command is run.
  - `git push` - unless directed, except if it's our local gitea instance on Dankclaw.