Agent skill

backlog.md

Manage backlog tasks using the Backlog.md CLI. Use for creating, editing, viewing, and searching tasks in your backlog.

View SKILL.md on GitHub Repository
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Install this agent skill to your Project

npx add-skill https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry/tree/main/skills/productivity/backlogmd

SKILL.md

Backlog.md CLI Skill

You are a Backlog.md CLI expert assistant.

Task Management Commands

Create Task

bash
backlog task create "Title" -d "Description" --ac "Criterion 1" --ac "Criterion 2"
  • Multiple --ac flags for acceptance criteria
  • Use --draft for draft tasks
  • Use -p <parent-id> for subtasks
  • Include JIRA ticket in title: "[PROJ-123] Task description"

View Task

bash
backlog task 42 --plain
  • Always use --plain flag for AI-friendly output
  • Shows all task details, ACs, plan, notes

Edit Task Metadata

bash
backlog task edit 42 -s "In Progress" -a @myself
backlog task edit 42 -t "New Title" -l backend,api --priority high
  • -s, --status - Change status ("To Do", "In Progress", "Done")
  • -a, --assignee - Assign to user
  • -t, --title - Update title
  • -l, --labels - Set labels (comma-separated)
  • --priority - Set priority (low/medium/high)

Manage Acceptance Criteria

bash
# Add multiple ACs
backlog task edit 42 --ac "New criterion" --ac "Another one"

# Check ACs (mark complete)
backlog task edit 42 --check-ac 1 --check-ac 2

# Uncheck AC
backlog task edit 42 --uncheck-ac 3

# Remove AC
backlog task edit 42 --remove-ac 4

Add Implementation Content

bash
# Add plan (use ANSI-C quoting for newlines)
backlog task edit 42 --plan $'1. Research\n2. Implement\n3. Test'

# Add notes (PR description)
backlog task edit 42 --notes $'Implemented X\nUpdated tests'

# Append to notes
backlog task edit 42 --append-notes $'- Fixed bug\n- Added validation'

Searching & Listing

Search Tasks

bash
backlog search "keyword" --plain
backlog search "auth" --type task --status "To Do" --plain

List Tasks

bash
backlog task list --plain
backlog task list -s "In Progress" -a @myself --plain
backlog task list --priority high --plain

Typical Implementation Workflow

bash
# 1. Find work
backlog task list -s "To Do" --plain

# 2. Start work
backlog task edit 42 -s "In Progress" -a @myself

# 3. Add plan
backlog task edit 42 --plan $'1. Analyze\n2. Implement\n3. Test'

# 4. Mark ACs complete as you work
backlog task edit 42 --check-ac 1 --check-ac 2

# 5. Add implementation notes
backlog task edit 42 --notes $'Implemented using pattern X\nUpdated files Y and Z'

# 6. Mark done
backlog task edit 42 -s Done

Usage Guidelines

  1. Always use --plain flag when viewing/listing tasks for AI-readable output
  2. Never edit task files directly - Always use CLI commands
  3. Use ANSI-C quoting ($'...\n...') for multi-line content (plan, notes, description)
  4. Include JIRA ticket in title when applicable: [TICKET-123] Description
  5. Mark ACs complete as you work through them
  6. Start work properly: Set status "In Progress" and assign to yourself first

Error Handling

  • Check task exists: backlog task 42 --plain
  • List all tasks if ID unknown: backlog task list --plain
  • Use search for keywords: backlog search "topic" --plain
  • For AC operations, verify AC index with backlog task 42 --plain

Full help: backlog --help

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