# now-monthly-planning

> Manages monthly planning in the NOW system. View focus areas, milestones, goal progress, accomplishments, and learnings. Triggers on: monthly focus, this month, monthly plan, what should I focus on this month, monthly review, milestones, accomplishments.

- Author: Ravindra Barthwal
- Repository: ravindrabarthwal/life
- Version: 20260201123150
- Stars: 0
- Forks: 0
- Last Updated: 2026-02-06
- Source: https://github.com/ravindrabarthwal/life
- Web: https://mule.run/skillshub/@@ravindrabarthwal/life~now-monthly-planning:20260201123150

---

---
name: now-monthly-planning
description: "Manages monthly planning in the NOW system. View focus areas, milestones, goal progress, accomplishments, and learnings. Triggers on: monthly focus, this month, monthly plan, what should I focus on this month, monthly review, milestones, accomplishments."
---

# NOW Monthly Planning

Manages monthly planning operations in the NOW task management system.

---

## ⚠️ CRITICAL NOTES

### 1. Domain Flag Position
The `-d` flag **MUST come BEFORE** the subcommand:
```bash
# ✅ Correct
./tools/now/bin/now -d work api monthly

# ❌ Wrong - will not work!
./tools/now/bin/now api monthly -d work
```

### 2. Read-Only API
There is **NO API for directly modifying** monthly plans. To add/edit:
- Use the CLI to open the file: `./tools/now/bin/now -d work month`
- Or edit the markdown file directly at: `{domain}/planning/months/{YYYY-MM}.md`
- The API only provides **read-only access** via `api monthly`

---

## CLI Location

All commands use: `./tools/now/bin/now`

## Quick Reference

| Action | Command |
|--------|---------|
| View monthly plan | `./tools/now/bin/now -d work api monthly` |
| View both domains | `./tools/now/bin/now api monthly --combined` |
| Open monthly file | `./tools/now/bin/now -d work month` |
| Show monthly plan | `./tools/now/bin/now month --show` |

---

## View Monthly Plan

```bash
# CLI (shows both domains)
./tools/now/bin/now month --show

# JSON API (single domain)
./tools/now/bin/now -d work api monthly

# JSON API (both domains)
./tools/now/bin/now api monthly --combined

# JSON API (specific month)
./tools/now/bin/now -d work api monthly --date 2026-02-15
```

## Open Monthly File in Editor

```bash
./tools/now/bin/now -d work month
```

---

## Monthly File Location

`{domain}/planning/months/{YYYY-MM}.md`

Example: `work/planning/months/2026-02.md`

---

## Planning Hierarchy Context

```
Quarterly Goals (3 big goals)
    ↓
Monthly Focus Areas (3 focus areas + milestones)  ← This skill
    ↓
Weekly Outcomes (3 key outcomes)
    ↓
Daily Tasks (Critical + Regular + Carried)
```

Monthly focus areas should align with and contribute to quarterly goals.

---

## Monthly File Sections

The monthly file contains:

1. **Focus Areas** - Your 3 key focus areas for the month
2. **Key Milestones** - Deliverables organized by week
3. **Goals Progress** - Status updates on quarterly goals
4. **Accomplishments** - What was achieved (fill as you go)
5. **Learnings / Key Insights** - What you learned
6. **Tables** - Trackers (1-on-1s, habits, KPI status, etc.)
7. **Questions to Answer** - Things to explore this month
8. **Month Review** - End-of-month reflection

---

## Common Workflows

### When user asks "What should I focus on this month?"

```bash
./tools/now/bin/now -d work api monthly
```

### When user asks "What are my monthly milestones?"

```bash
./tools/now/bin/now -d work api monthly
```

### When user asks "Show me everything for the month"

```bash
./tools/now/bin/now api monthly --combined
```

### When user wants to update monthly plan

```bash
# Open the file to edit directly
./tools/now/bin/now -d work month
```

---

## API Response Format

All `api` commands return JSON:

```json
{
  "success": true,
  "data": { /* response data */ }
}
```

On error:

```json
{
  "success": false,
  "error": "Error message"
}
```