Spawn Readiness Skill

Version: 1.0.0 Compiler: skill-compiler/1.0.0 Last Updated: 2026-01-25

Validate that an org task is ready for delegation to beads execution layer.

When to Activate

Use this skill when:

• Checking spawn readiness before delegation
• Validating a task for beads handoff
• Asking "is this task ready for beads?"
• Before invoking spawn-to-beads skill
• Quick validation before delegation

Core Principles

1. Validation Is Informational

Output is READY or NOT_READY with specific deficiencies - no blocking prompts.

Agent can decide whether to proceed or address deficiencies; validation doesn't gate execution.

2. Quick Checklist

This is a lightweight validation, not a heavy refinement workflow.

Keep it fast; if deep refinement is needed, that's a different process.

3. Preview the Spawn

Show what epic would be created before committing.

Allows quick sanity check without side effects.

4. No Human Confirmation

Do not ask user to confirm - run validation and report results.

This is pre-spawn validation, not a gate. User decides based on output.

Workflow

Phase 1: Validate Org Task Existence

Confirm the org task exists and is accessible.

1. Query org task by provided ID
2. Verify task exists in org-mode
3. Extract basic task information

Outputs: Task existence confirmation, basic task data (heading, state)

result=$(emacsclient --eval '(beadsmith/agent-get-task "org-task-id")' \
  | sed 's/^"//;s/"$//' | sed 's/\\"/"/g')

if echo "$result" | jq -e '.success' > /dev/null; then
  echo "EXISTS"
else
  echo "NOT_FOUND"
fi

Phase 2: Check Preconditions

Verify task meets all preconditions for delegation.

Outputs: List of passed checks, list of failed checks (if any)

Phase 3: Preview Spawn

Show what epic would be created.

1. Extract heading as proposed epic title
2. Extract body as proposed epic description
3. Map org priority to bead priority:
   • A → P1
   • B → P2
   • C → P3
   • (none) → P2
4. Show preview without creating anything

Outputs: Proposed epic title, description (with source_org_id marker), priority

Phase 4: Emit Verdict

Output final readiness verdict.

1. If all preconditions met → READY
2. If any precondition failed → NOT_READY with deficiency list
3. Include preview in both cases for context

Outputs: Verdict (READY or NOT_READY), deficiency list (if NOT_READY), epic preview

Anti-Patterns to Avoid

Quality Checklist

Before completing:

• Org task ID provided
• Task existence verified
• Task has valid org-id
• Task has description/body
• Task is in TODO or NEXT state
• Task not already delegated (no DELEGATED_TO)
• Preview generated showing proposed epic
• Verdict emitted (READY or NOT_READY)

Examples

Task ready for spawn

=== Spawn Readiness Check ===

Task: Implement authentication system
ID: task-impl-auth
State: TODO

Preconditions:
  [PASS] Valid org-id
  [PASS] Has description
  [PASS] State is TODO or NEXT
  [PASS] Not already delegated

Preview:
  Epic Title: Implement authentication system
  Priority: P2 (no org priority set)
  Description: [source_org_id: task-impl-auth] JWT-based auth with...

VERDICT: READY

Next: Run spawn-to-beads skill to create epic

Task not ready - already delegated

=== Spawn Readiness Check ===

Task: Build API endpoints
ID: task-build-api
State: WAITING

Preconditions:
  [PASS] Valid org-id
  [PASS] Has description
  [FAIL] State is TODO or NEXT (actual: WAITING)
  [FAIL] Not already delegated (DELEGATED_TO: bd-x7y2)

VERDICT: NOT_READY

Deficiencies:
  1. Task is in WAITING state (must be TODO or NEXT)
  2. Task already delegated to bd-x7y2

Action: This task is already spawned to beads. Check bd epic status bd-x7y2

Task not ready - no description

=== Spawn Readiness Check ===

Task: Fix bug
ID: task-fix-bug
State: TODO

Preconditions:
  [PASS] Valid org-id
  [FAIL] Has description (task body is empty)
  [PASS] State is TODO or NEXT
  [PASS] Not already delegated

VERDICT: NOT_READY

Deficiencies:
  1. Task has no description - agents need context to execute

Action: Add description to org task, then retry validation

Related Skills

References

• spawn-to-beads skill - The skill that performs actual spawning
• org-planning skill - Querying org task state