Issue Slices

/skill:issue-slices -- PRD → Vertical Slice Issues

Purpose: Decompose a PRD into independently-grabbable GitHub issues, each a thin vertical slice through all integration layers. Uses the tracer-bullet methodology: every issue is demonstrable on its own, not a horizontal cut through one layer.

When to Use

• A PRD is ready and needs to be broken into implementation tickets
• You want human-pickable issues before automated execution
• The PRD is too large to execute in one pass

When NOT to Use

• You want the full PRD executed end-to-end automatically — use /skill:execute-prd
• The input is a rough idea, not a PRD — use /skill:prd-create first
• You want a plan doc rather than issues — use /skill:execute-prd step 1

Workflow

1. Locate the PRD

Ask for the PRD GitHub issue number or URL.

Fetch it:

gh issue view <number>

2. Explore the Codebase

Read the relevant area to understand:

• Current state of the code
• Existing patterns and conventions the issues should follow
• Where each slice will land across the layers

3. Draft Vertical Slices

Each issue is a tracer bullet: a thin slice through ALL layers (schema, API, UI, tests), not one layer across the whole feature.

Rules:

• Each slice is independently demonstrable or verifiable once complete
• Prefer many thin slices over few thick ones
• Each slice is safe to implement and merge without breaking others

Classify each as HITL (requires human decision or review mid-slice) or AFK (agent-executable without human involvement). Prefer AFK.

4. Review With User

Present as a numbered list. For each slice show:

• Title — short descriptive name
• Type — HITL / AFK
• Blocked by — which slices must complete first (none if independent)
• User stories covered — which PRD requirements this addresses

Ask:

• Granularity right? Too coarse or too fine?
• Dependencies correct?
• HITL/AFK classifications accurate?

Iterate until the user approves the full breakdown.

5. Create the Issues

Create in dependency order (blockers first — so you can reference real issue numbers in later issues).

Use gh issue create with this template:

## Parent PRD
#<prd-issue-number>

## What to Build
[End-to-end behavior of this slice. Reference the parent PRD rather than duplicating content. Describe what it does, not how it's implemented layer by layer.]

## Acceptance Criteria
- [ ] 
- [ ] 
- [ ] 

## Blocked By
[#<issue-number> — reason]  or  "None — can start immediately"

## User Stories Addressed
[Reference by title or number from the parent PRD]

Do NOT close or modify the parent PRD issue.