# Pickup

> Use when starting work on a ticket — creates a worktree, reads ticket context, and gets you ready to implement

- Skill: `dodi-hq/pickup` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dodi-hq/pickup`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dodi-hq/pickup/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: dodi-hq (https://skillmd.com/u/dodi-hq)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dodi-hq/pickup

---


# Pickup

Pick up a ticket and set up an isolated workspace for it.

## Input

Either a ticket reference (e.g., `DOD-152`) or a description to search for.

## Process

1. **Ensure we're on the main branch and up to date:**
   ```bash
   # Determine the main branch (master or main)
   git symbolic-ref refs/remotes/origin/HEAD | sed 's@^refs/remotes/origin/@@'
   # Switch to it
   git checkout <main-branch>
   # Pull latest
   git pull origin <main-branch>
   ```
   If there are uncommitted changes on the current branch, warn the user and stop.

2. **Clean up stale worktrees and branches:**
   Prune remote tracking refs and remove any local branches whose remote branch has been deleted (e.g., from a previous squash-merge with `--delete-branch`).
   ```bash
   git fetch --prune
   git branch -v | grep '\[gone\]' | sed 's/^[+* ]//' | awk '{print $1}' | while read branch; do
     worktree=$(git worktree list | grep "\\[$branch\\]" | awk '{print $1}')
     if [ ! -z "$worktree" ] && [ "$worktree" != "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)" ]; then
       git worktree remove --force "$worktree"
     fi
     git branch -D "$branch"
   done
   ```
   If nothing to clean, proceed silently.

3. **Look up the ticket** — use available tracker tools to read the full ticket (title, description, acceptance criteria, linked issues)
4. **Create worktree:**
   ```bash
   git worktree add ../<repo-name>-<ticket-id> -b <ticket-id>
   ```
5. **Read context** — if the ticket references a spec, read it. Check for related docs.
6. **Report ready state:**
   ```
   Picked up: <ticket-id> — <title>

   To start working:
     cd ../<repo-name>-<ticket-id> && claude

   When finished:
     git worktree remove ../<repo-name>-<ticket-id>
   ```

## Notes

- **Hotfix pickup:** a `hotfix`-labeled ticket (declared at filing time — see `file-ticket` § Hotfix) is a manual hotfix pickup — it runs here on the single-ticket path, **outside the epic machinery** (the resident driver never selects it). 0.16.0 ships the declaration slot and this route-around; the full minimal-gate hotfix path (verify + one review + human deploy word + mandatory debt ticket) is a follow-up standalone release.
- Base new worktrees on the main branch (usually `master` or `main`)
- If the branch already exists, offer to use it or suggest a different name
- The ticket ID is the branch name for traceability
- After pickup, the next step is typically `dodi-dev:write-plan`