Claude Code Todo Lists: Mirror Your Instructions for Perfect Execution

Problem: Claude Code sometimes misses steps or does tasks in the wrong order, leaving you wondering if your instructions were clear enough.

Quick Win: Use this template to check if Claude understood your instructions:

# After giving instructions, immediately check:
claude "Create a detailed todo list for the task I just described"

Compare Claude's todos with your mental checklist. Perfect alignment = clear instructions.

Todo Lists as Instruction Mirrors

Your biggest frustration with AI coding isn't the bugs—it's wondering whether Claude truly understood what you asked for. Claude Code's todo system shows you exactly how it interpreted your instructions before starting work.

Think of todos as Claude's "repeat back what I heard" confirmation. Perfect alignment = clear instructions. Divergence = communication gaps caught early.

Common Todo Divergence Patterns

Out of Order: Instructions say A then B, todos list B then A Missing Steps: You mention tests, todos skip testing entirely
Wrong Detail: You want high-level "update docs," Claude lists individual files Misinterpretation: You say "review changes," Claude plans "commit changes"

Real-Time Todo Steering

Claude's todo list updates in real-time as you provide feedback. This creates a powerful steering mechanism for complex tasks.

Before Steering:

- [ ] Fix navigation menu alignment
- [ ] Update footer text  
- [ ] Add contact form validation
- [ ] Change button color to blue
- [ ] Update documentation

Mid-Task Steering:

claude "Actually make the button green instead of blue"

After Steering:

- [x] Fix navigation menu alignment
- [x] Update footer text
- [ ] Add contact form validation  
- [ ] Change button color to green  # Updated
- [ ] Update documentation

Notice how Claude automatically updated the pending todo while preserving completed work.

Advanced Todo Patterns

Get Specific Todos

Instead of vague todos like "style navbar," demand specifics:

Bad: - [ ] Style the navigation bar
 
Good: - [ ] Change navbar height from 60px to 80px
      - [ ] Reduce padding from 16px to 12px  
      - [ ] Update background to rgba(255,255,255,0.95)

Phase-Based Dependencies

Structure todos with clear phases:

Phase 1: Setup database schema, create user model
Phase 2: Build registration and login (needs Phase 1)
Phase 3: Add validation and styling (needs Phase 2)

Quality Checkpoints

1. Order: Logical sequence?
2. Complete: All steps included?
3. Right Detail: Appropriate granularity?
4. Clear: Another dev could follow?

Troubleshooting Todo Issues

Claude skips todos: Add "Check todo list before starting each step" to your CLAUDE.md file.

Todos too generic: Ask "Break this down into specific, measurable steps" after giving instructions.

Wrong priorities: Use numbered lists instead of bullets when order matters:

1. First, backup the database
2. Then run migrations  
3. Finally, restart services

Making Todos Stick

The most effective todo workflows become automatic. Add this pattern to your development routine:

1. Give Claude your task instructions
2. Ask "Create a detailed todo list"
3. Review for alignment with your intentions
4. Refine instructions if todos diverge
5. Proceed with confidence

Perfect todo alignment means perfect instruction clarity. When Claude's todos mirror your mental checklist exactly, you've achieved crystal-clear communication.

Next Steps:

• Learn about git integration patterns for todo-driven commits
• Master feedback loops to iterate on todo quality
• Check out permission management for secure todo execution
• Explore planning modes for structured todo creation
• Review context management to maintain todo history