Packing List Generator

Creates weather-aware, trip-type-specific packing lists optimized for your luggage constraints. Handles business trips, beach vacations, hiking adventures, winter getaways, and multi-climate itineraries. Includes carry-on optimization, TSA compliance checks, and a "commonly forgotten items" checklist tailored to your destination. Works with weather data from AccuWeather, Weather.com, and destination-specific travel guides.

Supported Platforms & Integrations

Platform	Integration Type	Features
AccuWeather	Weather data	Destination forecast for packing decisions
Google Maps	Destination info	Climate zones, altitude, terrain type
TripIt	Itinerary sync	Multi-stop trip awareness for packing
Apple Notes	Checklist export	Native checklist format for mobile use
Notion	Database export	Packing template with checkbox tracking
Google Keep	List export	Quick-access checklist on mobile devices

When to Use This Skill

• Use this when planning any trip and you want to avoid overpacking or forgetting essentials

• Use this when traveling carry-on only and need to optimize every item for maximum versatility

• Use this when visiting multiple climates in one trip and need a layering strategy

• Use this when traveling internationally and need to account for voltage adapters, visa documents, and currency

• Use this when packing for a specialized trip type like hiking, skiing, or scuba diving

• Consider alternatives when planning the trip itinerary itself (use a trip planner)

• Consider alternatives when you need gear purchase recommendations with reviews (use a shopping assistant)

• Consider alternatives when tracking travel expenses (use a budget tracker)

Quick Start

Copy
# packing-config.yml
trip:
  destination: "Tokyo, Japan"
  dates:
    departure: "2026-04-10"
    return: "2026-04-20"
  trip_type: "mixed"
  activities:
    - "city sightseeing"
    - "temple visits"
    - "business meetings (2 days)"
  luggage:
    type: "carry-on"
    airline: "ANA"

First run example:

> Generate a packing list for 10 days in Tokyo, carry-on only, mix of sightseeing and 2 business days.

Generated List:
Clothing (12 items, capsule wardrobe):
- [x] 3 merino wool t-shirts (odor-resistant, layer-friendly)
- [x] 1 button-down shirt (business days)
- [x] 1 blazer (packs flat, doubles for dinners)
...
Electronics (5 items):
- [x] Universal adapter (Type A for Japan)
- [x] Portable charger 20000mAh
...
Documents (4 items):
- [x] Passport (valid 6+ months)
- [x] Suica/Pasmo card or mobile Suica setup
...
Commonly Forgotten: Umbrella (April = cherry blossom rain season)

Advanced Configuration

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# Luggage optimization
luggage:
  type: "carry-on"
  max_weight_kg: 7
  dimensions: "55x40x25cm"
  airline: "ANA"
  packing_method: "rolling"

# Personal preferences
preferences:
  minimalist: true
  laundry_access: true
  contact_lenses: true
  medications: ["allergy meds", "melatonin"]

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
destination	string	required	City and country for weather and cultural context
trip_type	string	"leisure"	Options: leisure, business, hiking, beach, winter, mixed
duration_days	number	7	Trip length in days
luggage_type	string	"checked"	Options: carry-on, personal-item, checked, backpack
airline	string	""	Airline for specific luggage dimension limits
packing_method	string	"rolling"	Options: rolling, folding, compression-cubes, bundle
minimalist	boolean	false	Aggressively minimize item count
laundry_access	boolean	false	Plan for mid-trip laundry to reduce clothing
medications	array	[]	Personal medications to include
diet_restrictions	string	""	Pack specific food items for dietary needs
photography_gear	boolean	false	Include camera equipment checklist

Core Concepts

Concept	Description
Capsule Wardrobe	A minimal set of interchangeable clothing that creates maximum outfit combinations
Layer System	Base layer, mid layer, outer layer approach for variable weather
1-2-3-4-5 Rule	1 hat, 2 pairs shoes, 3 bottoms, 4 tops, 5 pairs socks and underwear
Carry-On Optimization	Wearing bulkiest items on the plane, using compression bags for the rest
Forgotten Item Score	Statistical likelihood of forgetting an item based on trip type and destination

+------------------+     +-------------------+     +------------------+
| Trip Details     | --> | Weather Analyzer  | --> | Activity Mapper  |
| (destination,    |     | (forecast, temp   |     | (gear per        |
|  dates, type)    |     |  range, rain %)   |     |  activity)       |
+------------------+     +-------------------+     +------------------+
                                                          |
                                                          v
+------------------+     +-------------------+     +------------------+
| Final Checklist  | <-- | Luggage Optimizer | <-- | Item Aggregator  |
| (categorized,    |     | (weight, dims,    |     | (merge, dedup,   |
|  prioritized)    |     |  airline rules)   |     |  prioritize)     |
+------------------+     +-------------------+     +------------------+

Workflow Examples

Scenario 1: Business Trip, Carry-On Only

Input: "3-day business trip to New York in January. Carry-on only. 2 client meetings, 1 team dinner."
Output:
Clothing: Navy suit (wear on plane), 2 dress shirts, 1 casual sweater, thermal base layer, 2 ties, 5 pairs socks/underwear
Outerwear: Wool overcoat (wear, do not pack), compact umbrella
Shoes: Black dress shoes (wear), no second pair needed for 3 days
Electronics: Laptop, charger, presentation clicker, AirPods
Forgotten Item Alert: Lint roller, shoe shine wipe, business cards
Weight estimate: 5.8 kg (under ANA 7kg limit)

Scenario 2: Two-Week Southeast Asia Backpacking

Input: "14 days across Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia. Backpack only (40L). Hot and humid, some temples, beach days, overnight buses."
Output:
Clothing: 4 quick-dry t-shirts, 2 lightweight pants (zip-off), 2 shorts, swimsuit, sarong (temple cover-up + beach towel), 7 underwear, flip-flops + trail sandals
Health: Insect repellent (DEET 30%), reef-safe sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, basic first aid, Imodium
Temple-specific: Pants that cover knees, shirt that covers shoulders (the sarong doubles here)
Forgotten Item Alert: Padlock for hostel lockers, dry bag for boat trips, photocopies of passport

Scenario 3: Family Ski Trip

Input: "Family of 4 (2 adults, kids 8 and 12) going skiing in Colorado for 5 days. Renting ski equipment on-site."
Output per person + shared items:
Per person: Base layers (2 sets), ski socks (3 pairs), mid layers, casual evening wear
Shared: First aid kit, hand/toe warmers (20 pack), SPF 50 lip balm (4), sunscreen, snacks for mountain
Kids-specific: Extra gloves (kids lose them), neck gaiters, goggles anti-fog wipes
Forgotten Item Alert: Altitude sickness meds, humidifier for dry hotel air, kids entertainment for travel day

Best Practices

Start with activities, not clothing. List every activity you will do on the trip, then work backward to what each activity requires. A trip with "2 business meetings, 3 sightseeing days, 1 hike" has clear wardrobe requirements. Starting with "what clothes should I bring" leads to overpacking every time.

Apply the outfit matrix. For a 7-day trip, you do not need 7 outfits. Three bottoms and four tops create 12 combinations. Choose a neutral color palette — navy, gray, black, white — where everything mixes.

Wear your bulkiest items in transit. Boots, heavy jacket, and jeans should be worn on the plane, not packed. This single trick can free up 30% of your luggage space. The skill automatically identifies which items to wear versus pack based on weight and bulk.

Use the forgotten-item alerts seriously. The skill's forgotten-item suggestions are based on the most commonly reported forgotten items per destination type. Japan trips frequently miss pocket WiFi or Suica cards. Beach trips miss reef-safe sunscreen.

Pack a 24-hour bag within your bag. Use a packing cube or zip bag with one change of clothes, toiletries, medications, and a phone charger. If your checked luggage is lost or your carry-on gets gate-checked to your final destination, you have essentials for the first day. This is especially critical for multi-leg international flights.

Common Issues

Problem: List is too long for carry-on weight limits. Enable minimalist: true and laundry_access: true. The skill will reduce clothing to a 3-day rotation assuming mid-trip laundry. Most hotels and Airbnbs worldwide have laundry access.

Problem: Packing for unpredictable weather. Use the layering system. Instead of packing for both warm and cold, pack versatile layers: merino base layers work in 10C or 25C depending on what goes over them. A packable down jacket and a rain shell cover most weather scenarios while compressing to almost nothing.

Problem: Forgot items that are not on the list. After your trip, run the skill again and add any items you wished you had packed to a personal additions list. Over time, this builds a personalized packing profile that the skill incorporates into future lists. Store additions in a local packing-preferences.yml file.

Privacy & Data Handling

• Local processing: All packing lists are generated locally. Destination and travel date information is not sent to weather services — the skill uses general climate knowledge for recommendations.
• Data retention: Trip details and packing lists exist only during the active session. Save lists to your preferred note-taking app for trip-day access.
• Export options: Export as markdown checklist, Apple Notes compatible format, Notion database, or plain text. All formats include checkboxes for tracking.
• Sensitive data: The skill does not access your travel bookings, airline accounts, or personal itineraries. All trip details are provided by you directly.
• No location tracking: Your destination information is used solely for climate and cultural context. No geolocation data is collected or stored.