Arc PRD to Issues
Convert a PRD into GitHub issues. The leading word is tracer-bullet: each issue is a narrow, end-to-end vertical slice, not a horizontal layer.
For slice rules and issue template, load SLICE_FORMAT.md. For GitHub creation commands, load GITHUB_CREATION.md after the user approves the slice breakdown.
Steps
Locate the PRD.
- Use an explicit issue number, URL, file path, or pasted PRD.
- If missing, ask for the PRD source.
- Fetch GitHub PRDs with comments when relevant.
Completion criterion: the PRD content is available, or the run stops with a source request.
Explore current code where useful.
- Read enough repo structure and existing implementation to avoid impossible or duplicate slices.
- Keep this lightweight when the PRD is greenfield.
Completion criterion: slices reflect current repo reality or state that repo context is unknown.
Draft tracer-bullet slices.
- Each slice cuts through all needed layers and is independently verifiable.
- Mark each slice AFK or HITL.
- Identify blockers/dependencies and PRD user stories covered.
Completion criterion: every PRD requirement is assigned to at least one slice or explicitly deferred/out of scope.
Quiz the user before issue creation.
- Present numbered slices with title, type, blockers, user stories covered, and acceptance criteria.
- Ask whether granularity, dependencies, and HITL/AFK labels are correct.
- Iterate until approved.
Completion criterion: the user approves the breakdown, or no GitHub issues are created.
Create GitHub issues in dependency order.
- Create blockers first so dependent issues can reference real issue numbers.
- Do not close or modify the parent PRD issue.
- Include
Closes #<number>guidance for later PRs, not during issue creation.
Completion criterion: every approved slice has a GitHub issue or an exact GitHub/tooling blocker is reported.
Boundaries
- Use
arc-planning-workwhen the output is an implementation plan for an existing PRD/issue, not new GitHub issues. - Use
arc-defining-workwhen the user has not chosen a destination or may want Agile Accelerator. - Use
arc-creating-user-storiesfor general story-backlog creation not specifically driven by PRD tracer-bullet slicing; itsSTORY_FORMAT.mdis the shared story contract.