How do you stay organized when working on a solo project?

I start with a README containing a bullet-point list of the features I want to implement, then try to finish that list before chasing new ideas. Bugs and interesting improvements get added to the list instead of becoming immediate distractions. It also helps to define what “done” means, rely on tests where possible, and accept that a feature can be good enough for now.

A simple TODO.txt file in the project root works well for me. I avoid turning it into a huge backlog and keep roughly 10–20 items on it. Once I finish a group of tasks, I review the list and decide what should come next. The lightweight approach makes it easier to stay focused than using a complicated project-management system.

I keep separate lists for things that bother me, such as UI or styling issues, and for actual bugs. After finishing a feature, I choose one or two items from those lists based on how important or quick they are. That lets me make steady improvements without interrupting the feature I’m currently building.