Creates categorized packing checklists with quantity columns and trip-type and weather conditionals. Gathers destination, trip duration, activities planned, weather forecast, and traveler preferences to produce a printable packing list organized by category with check-off boxes. Use when the user asks to create a packing list, figure out what to pack, prepare luggage for a trip, or organize travel gear by category. Do NOT use for trip itinerary building (use trip-itinerary-builder), travel bu...
Scanned 9/2/2026
Install to Claude Code
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---
name: packing-list-builder
description: |
Creates categorized packing checklists with quantity columns and trip-type
and weather conditionals. Gathers destination, trip duration, activities
planned, weather forecast, and traveler preferences to produce a printable
packing list organized by category with check-off boxes.
Use when the user asks to create a packing list, figure out what to pack,
prepare luggage for a trip, or organize travel gear by category.
Do NOT use for trip itinerary building (use trip-itinerary-builder), travel
budgets (use budget-travel-planner), or moving and relocation packing.
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
author: foundry-skills
version: "1.0.0"
tags: "travel packing checklist template"
category: "travel-experiences"
subcategory: "trip-planning"
depends: ""
disclaimer: "none"
difficulty: "beginner"
---
# Packing List Builder
## When to Use
**Use this skill when:**
- User asks to create a packing list for a trip
- User wants to know what to pack for a specific destination or activity
- User needs a categorized, printable packing checklist
- User asks about luggage organization or how much to bring
- User wants a weather-conditional packing list (rainy season, cold climate, tropical)
- User wants a packing list for a specific trip type (backpacking, business, beach, adventure)
**Do NOT use when:**
- User wants a trip itinerary (use `trip-itinerary-builder`)
- User wants a travel budget (use `budget-travel-planner`)
- User is packing for a move or relocation (use home-household skills)
- User wants a gear list for a specific hobby (use hobbies-crafts skills)
- User wants a baby packing list as part of family trip planning (use `family-trip-planner`)
## Process
1. **Gather packing parameters.** Ask the user for:
- Destination and climate (tropical, temperate, cold, desert, mixed)
- Trip duration (number of days and nights)
- Trip type (leisure, business, backpacking, adventure, beach, city sightseeing, cruise)
- Planned activities (hiking, swimming, formal dinners, temple visits, nightlife)
- Season and expected weather (temperature range, rain likelihood)
- Luggage constraint (carry-on only, checked bag, backpack only)
- Laundry access (hotel laundry, laundromat, hand-wash, none)
- Special needs (medications, medical devices, dietary supplements, baby items)
- Airline or transport restrictions if applicable
2. **Calculate clothing quantities.** Use the clothing formula:
- **Base formula:** 1 outfit per day, up to a maximum based on laundry access
- **With laundry every 3-4 days:** Pack 4-5 complete outfits
- **With laundry every 7 days:** Pack 7 outfits
- **No laundry access:** Pack 1 outfit per day (or slightly fewer with quick-dry materials)
- **Underwear and socks:** 1 per day + 1 extra pair regardless of laundry access
- **Sleep clothes:** 1-2 sets
- **Outerwear:** 1 primary layer (jacket or sweater), 1 rain layer if applicable
- **Formal or dressy:** 1 outfit per formal event planned
- **Activity-specific:** 1 set per activity type (swimsuit, hiking clothes, gym clothes)
3. **Build categories.** Organize items into these standard categories:
- **Clothing:** Tops, bottoms, underwear, socks, sleepwear, outerwear, shoes
- **Toiletries:** Hygiene basics, skincare, dental, hair, shaving
- **Electronics:** Phone, charger, adapter, camera, headphones, power bank
- **Documents:** Passport, tickets, insurance, copies, wallet, cards
- **Health and safety:** Medications, first aid, sunscreen, insect repellent
- **Comfort and convenience:** Neck pillow, eye mask, reusable water bottle, daypack
- **Activity-specific:** Gear for planned activities (swim, hike, formal, religious sites)
4. **Apply conditionals.** Add or remove items based on:
- **Weather conditionals:** Rain gear if rain is likely, warm layers if temperature drops below 15C/60F, sun protection if tropical or summer
- **Trip type conditionals:** Business trip adds formal wear and laptop; backpacking removes bulky items; beach trip adds swim and cover-ups
- **Destination conditionals:** Adapter type for destination country, modest clothing for conservative destinations, mosquito net for tropical regions
- **Duration conditionals:** Trips over 7 days add laundry kit; trips over 14 days add a packing cube strategy
5. **Add the luggage strategy.** Include:
- Recommended bag type and size
- Packing method (roll vs. fold, packing cubes, compression bags)
- Weight estimate and airline limit comparison
- Day bag or personal item recommendation
- Dirty laundry separation method
6. **Compile the final list.** Format as a printable checklist with:
- Check boxes for each item
- Quantity column
- Conditional flags (marked with weather or trip-type symbol)
- Packed status column (for checking off while packing)
- Notes column for user customization
## Output Format
```
## Packing List: [Destination] -- [N] Days, [Trip Type]
**Climate:** [Climate type, temperature range]
**Luggage:** [Carry-on | Checked bag | Backpack] -- [Size recommendation]
**Laundry access:** [Yes, every X days | No]
---
### Clothing
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|-------------------------|-----|--------------------|--------------------------------|
| [ ] | [Item] | [X] | | |
| [ ] | [Item] | [X] | Rain season | [Waterproof recommended] |
| [ ] | [Item] | [X] | Cold weather | [Layer under jacket] |
| [ ] | [Item] | [X] | Formal event | [Dinner on Day 3] |
| [ ] | [Item] | [X] | Beach/swim | |
### Toiletries
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|-------------------------|-----|--------------------|--------------------------------|
| [ ] | [Item] | [X] | | [Travel size if carry-on] |
### Electronics
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|-------------------------|-----|--------------------|--------------------------------|
| [ ] | [Item] | [X] | | |
### Documents
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|-------------------------|-----|--------------------|--------------------------------|
| [ ] | [Item] | [X] | | |
### Health and Safety
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|-------------------------|-----|--------------------|--------------------------------|
| [ ] | [Item] | [X] | Tropical | [DEET or picaridin based] |
### Comfort and Convenience
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|-------------------------|-----|--------------------|--------------------------------|
| [ ] | [Item] | [X] | | |
### Activity-Specific: [Activity Name]
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|-------------------------|-----|--------------------|--------------------------------|
| [ ] | [Item] | [X] | | |
---
### Luggage Strategy
- **Bag:** [Type and size]
- **Packing method:** [Roll, fold, packing cubes]
- **Estimated weight:** [X] kg / [X] lbs (limit: [X])
- **Day bag:** [Type for daily outings]
- **Dirty laundry:** [Separate bag or packing cube strategy]
### Do NOT Pack (Common Mistakes)
- [Item people commonly overpack or should not bring]
- [Item restricted by airline or destination]
- [Item available cheaply at destination]
```
## Rules
1. NEVER include external URLs, specific brand names, or product names -- use generic item descriptions
2. ALWAYS include a quantity column for every item
3. ALWAYS mark conditional items with their condition (weather, trip type, activity, destination)
4. Clothing quantities must follow the laundry-adjusted formula -- never pack 1 outfit per day for a 14-day trip with laundry access
5. Toiletries must note "travel size" for carry-on packing lists
6. Include a Documents section with passport, insurance, and copies for every international trip
7. Include a "Do NOT Pack" section listing common over-packing mistakes and destination-restricted items
8. The list must be organized by category with clear section headers
9. NEVER output generic advice like "pack light" without specific quantities -- every item must have a number
10. Include a luggage strategy section with bag type, packing method, and weight estimate
11. Activity-specific sections are added only when the user has planned specific activities -- do not add a swim section for a winter city trip
12. Every list must include a Health and Safety section regardless of trip type
## Edge Cases
- **Carry-on only for a long trip (7+ days):** Enforce strict quantity limits. Prioritize quick-dry, wrinkle-resistant fabrics. Remove full-size toiletries. Add laundry kit (sink wash soap, clothesline). Suggest wearing bulkiest items on the plane. Apply the "5-4-3-2-1" packing rule: 5 sets of undergarments, 4 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 shoes, 1 jacket.
- **Multi-climate trip (e.g., beach then mountains):** Create two sub-lists, one per climate zone. Identify items that cross over (rain jacket works for both). Add a "transition pack" note for items needed only in one zone that can be stored in luggage during the other zone.
- **Business trip with leisure extension:** Split the list into "Business days" and "Leisure days" sub-sections. Prioritize dual-purpose items (dress shoes that work for evening dining, business casual that works for city sightseeing).
- **Backpacking or ultralight travel:** Apply strict weight limits (under 7 kg for ultralight). Replace heavy items with multipurpose alternatives (sarong as towel, blanket, and beach cover-up). Remove all "nice to have" items. Add packing cube and compression bag requirements.
- **Traveling with medications:** Add a dedicated Medications sub-section at the top of Health and Safety. Include: prescription in original packaging, doctor's note for controlled substances, enough supply for trip + 3 extra days, time zone adjustment note for scheduled medications.
- **Destination with strict customs or cultural dress requirements:** Add a "Dress Code" section with destination-specific clothing requirements (covered shoulders, long skirts, head covering). Mark these items as non-negotiable in the Conditional column.
## Example
**Input:** "I need a packing list for a 7-day trip to Thailand in August. Tropical climate, beach and temple visits. Carry-on bag only. I have laundry access every 3 days."
**Output:**
## Packing List: Thailand -- 7 Days, Beach and Cultural
**Climate:** Tropical, 28-35C (82-95F), monsoon season (frequent afternoon rain showers)
**Luggage:** Carry-on only -- 40L backpack or 22-inch rolling bag
**Laundry access:** Yes, every 3 days
---
### Clothing
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|--------------------------------|-----|--------------------|----------------------------------------|
| [ ] | Lightweight t-shirts or tanks | 4 | | Quick-dry fabric preferred |
| [ ] | Shorts (casual) | 2 | | Knee-length for temple flexibility |
| [ ] | Light pants or long skirt | 1 | Temple visits | Required for temple entry |
| [ ] | Swimsuit | 2 | Beach | One to wear, one drying |
| [ ] | Cover-up or sarong | 1 | Beach + temples | Doubles as temple cover and beach wrap |
| [ ] | Lightweight dress or romper | 1 | | Evening dining option |
| [ ] | Underwear | 5 | | Quick-dry recommended |
| [ ] | Socks (lightweight) | 2 | | For temple visits requiring sock entry |
| [ ] | Sleepwear | 1 | | Lightweight shorts and top |
| [ ] | Rain jacket (packable) | 1 | Monsoon season | Folds into its own pocket |
| [ ] | Sandals (walking) | 1 | | Primary footwear, secure strap |
| [ ] | Water shoes or flip-flops | 1 | Beach | For beach and hostel showers |
| [ ] | Lightweight sneakers | 1 | | Wear on plane, use for temple walking |
### Toiletries
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|--------------------------------|-----|--------------------|----------------------------------------|
| [ ] | Toothbrush and toothpaste | 1 | | Travel size (100ml max) |
| [ ] | Deodorant | 1 | | Travel size |
| [ ] | Shampoo and conditioner | 1 ea| | Solid bars or travel bottles (100ml) |
| [ ] | Body wash or soap bar | 1 | | Bar saves space and weight |
| [ ] | Razor | 1 | | |
| [ ] | Sunscreen (face and body) | 1 | Tropical | SPF 50+, reef-safe if swimming |
| [ ] | After-sun or aloe gel | 1 | Tropical | Small tube, 50ml |
| [ ] | Insect repellent | 1 | Tropical | DEET or picaridin based |
| [ ] | Lip balm with SPF | 1 | | |
| [ ] | Contact lens supplies | 1 | | If applicable |
### Electronics
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|--------------------------------|-----|--------------------|----------------------------------------|
| [ ] | Phone and charger cable | 1 | | |
| [ ] | Portable power bank | 1 | | 10,000 mAh minimum for full-day outings|
| [ ] | Universal power adapter | 1 | | Thailand uses Type A, B, C, O outlets |
| [ ] | Earbuds or headphones | 1 | | For transit and beach |
| [ ] | Waterproof phone pouch | 1 | Beach | For beach and boat trips |
### Documents
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|--------------------------------|-----|--------------------|----------------------------------------|
| [ ] | Passport | 1 | | Valid for 6+ months beyond trip dates |
| [ ] | Passport photocopy | 1 | | Store separately from original |
| [ ] | Travel insurance card or policy| 1 | | Photo on phone + paper copy |
| [ ] | Flight confirmation printout | 1 | | Backup in case phone is dead |
| [ ] | Accommodation confirmation | 1 | | Address in local script if possible |
| [ ] | Emergency contact card | 1 | | Written card in wallet |
| [ ] | Cash (local currency) | -- | | Withdraw at arrival, carry small bills |
| [ ] | Credit or debit card | 2 | | Two different cards as backup |
### Health and Safety
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|--------------------------------|-----|--------------------|----------------------------------------|
| [ ] | Personal medications | -- | | Trip duration + 3 extra days |
| [ ] | Basic first aid (band-aids, antiseptic) | 1 kit | | Small zip pouch |
| [ ] | Anti-diarrhea medication | 1 | | Common traveler issue in tropical regions |
| [ ] | Rehydration sachets | 4 | Tropical | For heat and stomach issues |
| [ ] | Antihistamine | 1 | | For insect bites or food reactions |
| [ ] | Pain reliever | 1 | | Ibuprofen or acetaminophen |
### Comfort and Convenience
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|--------------------------------|-----|--------------------|----------------------------------------|
| [ ] | Day bag or small backpack | 1 | | Foldable, for daily outings |
| [ ] | Reusable water bottle | 1 | | Collapsible to save space |
| [ ] | Packing cubes | 2-3 | | Organize clothing by type |
| [ ] | Dry bag or waterproof pouch | 1 | Monsoon season | For electronics during rain |
| [ ] | Travel towel (quick-dry) | 1 | | Microfiber, compact for beach |
| [ ] | Laundry bag | 1 | | Separate dirty clothes |
| [ ] | Sink laundry soap | 1 | | Small packet for hand-washing between laundry days |
| [ ] | Zip-lock bags (assorted) | 4-6 | | Wet items, snacks, organization |
| [ ] | Padlock | 1 | | For hostel lockers if applicable |
### Activity-Specific: Temple Visits
| Packed | Item | Qty | Conditional | Notes |
|--------|--------------------------------|-----|--------------------|----------------------------------------|
| [ ] | Long pants or skirt (knee-covering) | 1 | Temple visits | Required at most temples |
| [ ] | Shirt covering shoulders | 1 | Temple visits | No sleeveless tops at temples |
| [ ] | Socks | 1 | Temple visits | Some temples require socks not bare feet|
---
### Luggage Strategy
- **Bag:** 40L travel backpack or 22-inch carry-on (max 7-10 kg depending on airline)
- **Packing method:** Roll all clothing, use 2-3 packing cubes (clean/dirty separation)
- **Estimated weight:** 6-8 kg fully packed
- **Day bag:** Packable 20L daypack for daily outings
- **Dirty laundry:** Dedicated laundry packing cube, wash every 3 days
### Do NOT Pack (Common Mistakes)
- Jeans (too heavy, too hot, takes forever to dry -- bring lightweight pants instead)
- Full-size toiletries (buy locally if you run out, save weight and liquid limit space)
- More than 2 pairs of shoes (sandals, sneakers, and water shoes cover all activities)
- Towels (accommodation provides them; bring one travel towel for beach only)
- Expensive jewelry or valuables (risk of loss or theft, not needed for beach and temple trips)
- Thick cotton t-shirts (absorb sweat and take hours to dry -- quick-dry synthetics or linen instead)
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