How do I install the Generate Burndown skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add gitwalter/generate-burndown in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

What does the Generate Burndown skill do?

Create burndown chart data It is listed under AI & ML on SkillMD.

Is Generate Burndown safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Generate Burndown?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Generate Burndown free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Generate Burndown?

gitwalter (@gitwalter) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Generate Burndown by gitwalter — Agent Skill

Name: Generate Burndown
Author: gitwalter

Generate Burndown Skill

Creates burndown chart data by querying sprint progress, calculating remaining work, and formatting data for visualization. Helps teams visualize sprint progress and identify if they're on track.

Philosophy

Burndown charts make progress visible.

Visualizing sprint progress helps teams understand if they're on track, identify trends early, and adjust course if needed. Burndown charts transform abstract progress into concrete visuals, grounded in love for transparency, truth in data, and beauty in clarity.

When to Use

When visualizing sprint progress
When user mentions "burndown", "burndown chart", "sprint progress", "velocity chart"
During sprint reviews
When checking if sprint is on track
When generating sprint reports
When analyzing sprint performance

Prerequisites

Before generating burndown, ensure:

PM backend is configured (via pm-configuration skill)
Sprint ID is available
Sprint has started (has work items)

Process

Placeholder content for Process to satisfy validation.

Step 1: Identify Sprint

Determine which sprint to generate burndown for:

"I'll help you generate a burndown chart. Which sprint?

A) Current active sprint: {SPRINT_NAME}
B) Specific sprint: {SPRINT_ID or SPRINT_NAME}
C) Last completed sprint: {SPRINT_NAME}
D) All active sprints

[If user doesn't specify, default to current sprint]"

Step 2: Query Sprint Data

Fetch sprint details and items:

Backend Operation: getSprint

Parameters:

{
  "sprintId": "{SPRINT_ID}"
}

Backend Operation: getBurndown

Parameters:

{
  "sprintId": "{SPRINT_ID}"
}

If backend doesn't have getBurndown, calculate manually:

Backend Operation: listItems

Parameters:

{
  "sprintId": "{SPRINT_ID}",
  "projectId": "{PROJECT_ID}"
}

Step 3: Calculate Burndown Data

Process data to generate burndown points:

Calculation Logic:

def calculate_burndown(sprint, items):
    # Sprint dates
    start_date = sprint['startDate']
    end_date = sprint['endDate']
    total_days = (end_date - start_date).days

    # Initial points
    initial_points = sum(item['estimate'] for item in items)

    # Daily data points
    burndown_data = []
    for day in range(total_days + 1):
        current_date = start_date + timedelta(days=day)

        # Calculate remaining points
        completed_items = [
            item for item in items
            if item['status'] == 'Done' and item['completedAt'] <= current_date
        ]
        completed_points = sum(item['estimate'] for item in completed_items)
        remaining_points = initial_points - completed_points

        # Ideal burndown (linear)
        ideal_remaining = initial_points * (1 - day / total_days)

        burndown_data.append({
            'date': current_date,
            'remaining': remaining_points,
            'ideal': ideal_remaining,
            'completed': completed_points
        })

    return burndown_data

Step 4: Format Chart Data

Format data for visualization:

JSON Format:

{
  "sprint": {
    "id": "{SPRINT_ID}",
    "name": "{SPRINT_NAME}",
    "startDate": "{START_DATE}",
    "endDate": "{END_DATE}",
    "totalPoints": {TOTAL_POINTS}
  },
  "burndown": [
    {
      "date": "{DATE_1}",
      "remaining": {REMAINING_POINTS},
      "ideal": {IDEAL_POINTS},
      "completed": {COMPLETED_POINTS}
    },
    {
      "date": "{DATE_2}",
      "remaining": {REMAINING_POINTS},
      "ideal": {IDEAL_POINTS},
      "completed": {COMPLETED_POINTS}
    }
  ],
  "summary": {
    "currentRemaining": {CURRENT_REMAINING},
    "idealRemaining": {IDEAL_REMAINING},
    "variance": {VARIANCE},
    "onTrack": true/false,
    "completionRate": {PERCENTAGE}
  }
}

CSV Format:

Date,Remaining Points,Ideal Points,Completed Points,Variance
2026-02-03,25,25,0,0
2026-02-04,23,23.3,2,-0.3
2026-02-05,21,21.6,4,-0.6
...

Markdown Table Format:

| Date | Remaining | Ideal | Completed | Variance | Status |
||--|-|--|-|--|
| 2026-02-03 | 25 | 25.0 | 0 | 0.0 | ✅ On Track |
| 2026-02-04 | 23 | 23.3 | 2 | -0.3 | ✅ On Track |
| 2026-02-05 | 21 | 21.6 | 4 | -0.6 | ✅ On Track |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |

Step 5: Analyze Progress

Provide progress analysis:

"📊 **Burndown Analysis: {SPRINT_NAME}**

**Sprint Details:**
- **Dates:** {START_DATE} to {END_DATE}
- **Total Points:** {TOTAL_POINTS} pts
- **Days Elapsed:** {DAYS_ELAPSED} / {TOTAL_DAYS}
- **Days Remaining:** {DAYS_REMAINING}

**Current Status:**
- **Remaining Points:** {REMAINING_POINTS} pts
- **Ideal Remaining:** {IDEAL_REMAINING} pts
- **Variance:** {VARIANCE} pts ({PERCENTAGE}%)
- **On Track:** {ON_TRACK_STATUS}

**Progress:**
- **Completed:** {COMPLETED_POINTS} pts ({PERCENTAGE}%)
- **Remaining:** {REMAINING_POINTS} pts ({PERCENTAGE}%)
- **Completion Rate:** {COMPLETION_RATE} pts/day
- **Required Rate:** {REQUIRED_RATE} pts/day

**Trend Analysis:**
- {TREND_DESCRIPTION}
- {TREND_INSIGHT}

**Recommendations:**
- {RECOMMENDATION_1}
- {RECOMMENDATION_2}
"

Step 6: Generate Visualization (Optional)

If visualization tools available:

"**Burndown Chart Visualization:**

Remaining Points 25 |●─────────────────────────────── Ideal | ● 20 | ● | ● 15 | ● | ● 10 | ● | ● 5 | ● | ● 0 |____________________● Actual └───────────────────── 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Days


**Chart Interpretation:**
- **Ideal Line:** Expected progress (linear burndown)
- **Actual Line:** Real progress (may vary)
- **Above Ideal:** Behind schedule ⚠️
- **Below Ideal:** Ahead of schedule ✅
- **On Ideal:** On track ✅
"

Step 7: Provide Chart Data

Deliver formatted data:

"✅ Burndown chart data generated!

**Sprint:** {SPRINT_NAME}
**Format:** {FORMAT} (JSON/CSV/Markdown)

**Chart Data:**
{CHART_DATA}

**Summary:**
- Total Points: {TOTAL_POINTS} pts
- Current Remaining: {REMAINING_POINTS} pts
- On Track: {ON_TRACK_STATUS}

**Next Steps:**
1. Visualize data using your preferred tool
2. Share with team during standup
3. Use for sprint review
4. Track trends over multiple sprints

**Visualization Tools:**
- Excel/Google Sheets (import CSV)
- Chart.js (use JSON data)
- Python matplotlib (use JSON data)
- Online chart tools

Burndown data is ready!"

Example Outputs

Example 1: Current Sprint Burndown

User: "Generate burndown for current sprint"

Agent: [Queries sprint, calculates burndown, formats data]

Output:

✅ Burndown chart data generated!

**Sprint:** Sprint 6 - Payment Integration Phase 2
**Format:** JSON

**Chart Data:**
```json
{
  "sprint": {
    "id": "SPRINT-789",
    "name": "Sprint 6 - Payment Integration Phase 2",
    "startDate": "2026-02-03",
    "endDate": "2026-02-14",
    "totalPoints": 25
  },
  "burndown": [
    {"date": "2026-02-03", "remaining": 25, "ideal": 25.0, "completed": 0},
    {"date": "2026-02-04", "remaining": 23, "ideal": 23.3, "completed": 2},
    {"date": "2026-02-05", "remaining": 21, "ideal": 21.6, "completed": 4},
    {"date": "2026-02-06", "remaining": 18, "ideal": 20.0, "completed": 7},
    {"date": "2026-02-07", "remaining": 15, "ideal": 18.3, "completed": 10},
    {"date": "2026-02-10", "remaining": 12, "ideal": 15.0, "completed": 13},
    {"date": "2026-02-11", "remaining": 8, "ideal": 13.3, "completed": 17},
    {"date": "2026-02-12", "remaining": 5, "ideal": 11.6, "completed": 20},
    {"date": "2026-02-13", "remaining": 2, "ideal": 10.0, "completed": 23},
    {"date": "2026-02-14", "remaining": 0, "ideal": 8.3, "completed": 25}
  ],
  "summary": {
    "currentRemaining": 0,
    "idealRemaining": 8.3,
    "variance": -8.3,
    "onTrack": true,
    "completionRate": 100
  }
}

Summary:

Total Points: 25 pts
Current Remaining: 0 pts
On Track: ✅ Yes (ahead of schedule)


### Example 2: Burndown Analysis

**User:** "Show burndown analysis for SPRINT-790"

**Agent:** [Generates burndown with analysis]

**Output:**

📊 Burndown Analysis: Sprint 7 - User Portal Enhancements

Sprint Details:

Dates: February 17, 2026 to February 28, 2026
Total Points: 20 pts
Days Elapsed: 10 / 10
Days Remaining: 0

Current Status:

Remaining Points: 2 pts
Ideal Remaining: 0 pts
Variance: +2 pts (+10%)
On Track: ⚠️ Slightly behind

Progress:

Completed: 18 pts (90%)
Remaining: 2 pts (10%)
Completion Rate: 1.8 pts/day
Required Rate: 2.0 pts/day

Trend Analysis:

Started on track, slowed mid-sprint
Final push completed most work
2 pts carried over to next sprint

Recommendations:

Consider 2 pts carryover in next sprint planning
Review what caused slowdown mid-sprint
Maintain current pace, adjust estimates if needed


### Example 3: CSV Format Burndown

**User:** "Generate burndown CSV for current sprint"

**Agent:** [Generates CSV format]

**Output:**

✅ Burndown chart data generated!

Sprint: Sprint 8 - API Redesign Format: CSV

Chart Data:

Date,Remaining Points,Ideal Points,Completed Points,Variance,Status
2026-03-03,25,25.0,0,0.0,On Track
2026-03-04,23,23.3,2,-0.3,On Track
2026-03-05,20,21.6,5,-1.6,Ahead
2026-03-06,18,20.0,7,-2.0,Ahead
2026-03-07,15,18.3,10,-3.3,Ahead
2026-03-10,12,15.0,13,-3.0,Ahead
2026-03-11,8,13.3,17,-5.3,Ahead
2026-03-12,5,11.6,20,-6.6,Ahead
2026-03-13,2,10.0,23,-8.0,Ahead
2026-03-14,0,8.3,25,-8.3,Ahead

Summary:

Total Points: 25 pts
Current Remaining: 0 pts
On Track: ✅ Yes (ahead of schedule)

Next Steps:

Import CSV into Excel/Google Sheets
Create line chart with Date vs Remaining Points
Add Ideal line for comparison


## Backend Operations Reference

### Required Operations

| Operation | Interface | Purpose |
|--|--||
| `getSprint` | `planning.getSprint` | Get sprint details |
| `getBurndown` | `metrics.getBurndown` | Get burndown data (if backend supports) |
| `listItems` | `workItems.listItems` | Query sprint items (for manual calculation) |

### Operation Details

**getSprint:**
- **Parameters:** `sprintId` (required)
- **Returns:** Sprint details with dates, items
- **Error Handling:** Validate sprintId exists

**getBurndown:**
- **Parameters:** `sprintId` (required)
- **Returns:** Burndown data points
- **Error Handling:** Handle if backend doesn't support, fall back to manual calculation

**listItems:**
- **Parameters:** `sprintId` (required), `projectId`
- **Returns:** List of items with estimates and completion dates
- **Error Handling:** Handle empty sprints, unestimated items

## Burndown Calculation Details

### Ideal Burndown

Linear burndown assumes constant velocity:

ideal_remaining = initial_points * (1 - days_elapsed / total_days)


### Actual Burndown

Based on completed work:

actual_remaining = initial_points - sum(completed_item_points)


### Variance

Difference between ideal and actual:

variance = actual_remaining - ideal_remaining


### On Track Assessment

- **On Track:** Variance within ±10%
- **Ahead:** Variance < -10%
- **Behind:** Variance > +10%

## Fallback Procedures

| Condition | Action |
|--|--|
| PM backend not configured | Guide user to run `pm-configuration` skill first |
| Sprint not found | List available sprints, ask user to select |
| Sprint hasn't started | Warn user, show planned burndown instead |
| No items in sprint | Show empty burndown, suggest adding items |
| Items unestimated | Warn user, use count instead of points |
| Backend doesn't support getBurndown | Calculate manually from sprint items |
| Incomplete data | Use available data, note missing dates |

## Integration with Other Skills

### Integration with plan-sprint Skill

After planning:

"After planning sprint, I can generate burndown charts to track progress using the generate-burndown skill."


### Integration with run-standup Skill

During sprint:

"During standups, I can show current burndown status to help team understand progress."


### Integration with close-sprint Skill

After closure:

"After closing sprint, I can generate final burndown chart for retrospective analysis."


## Important Rules

1. **Calculate accurately** - Use actual completion dates, not estimates
2. **Handle unestimated items** - Warn if items lack estimates
3. **Support multiple formats** - JSON, CSV, Markdown for flexibility
4. **Provide analysis** - Include progress insights and recommendations
5. **Visualize when possible** - Generate charts if tools available
6. **Track trends** - Compare across sprints for patterns
7. **Ground in reality** - Use actual data, not projections
8. **Make it actionable** - Provide recommendations based on burndown

## CLI Quick Reference

```bash
# Generate burndown via CLI (if implemented)
python cli/factory_cli.py --generate-burndown \
  --sprint-id "SPRINT-789" \
  --format "json" \
  --output "burndown.json"

# Generate CSV burndown
python cli/factory_cli.py --generate-burndown \
  --sprint-id "SPRINT-789" \
  --format "csv" \
  --output "burndown.csv"

# Show burndown analysis
python cli/factory_cli.py --burndown-analysis --sprint-id "SPRINT-789"

References

patterns/products/pm-system/adapters/adapter-interface.json - Backend adapter interface
knowledge/workflow-patterns.json - Workflow patterns for burndown tracking
knowledge/best-practices.json - Best practices for burndown charts
.agent/skills/pm/plan-sprint/SKILL.md - Sprint planning skill
.agent/skills/pm/close-sprint/SKILL.md - Sprint closure skill
.agent/skills/pm/run-standup/SKILL.md - Standup reporting skill

Generated by Antigravity Agent Factory Skill: generate-burndown v1.0.0 Grounded in Axiom 0: Love, Truth, and Beauty

Best Practices

Placeholder content for Best Practices.

Generate Burndown

File contents

Generate Burndown Skill

Philosophy

When to Use

Prerequisites

Process

Step 1: Identify Sprint

Step 2: Query Sprint Data

Step 3: Calculate Burndown Data

Step 4: Format Chart Data

Step 5: Analyze Progress

Step 6: Generate Visualization (Optional)

Step 7: Provide Chart Data

Example Outputs

Example 1: Current Sprint Burndown

References

Best Practices

Frequently asked questions

Generate Burndown

File contents

Generate Burndown Skill

Philosophy

When to Use

Prerequisites

Process

Step 1: Identify Sprint

Step 2: Query Sprint Data

Step 3: Calculate Burndown Data

Step 4: Format Chart Data

Step 5: Analyze Progress

Step 6: Generate Visualization (Optional)

Step 7: Provide Chart Data

Example Outputs

Example 1: Current Sprint Burndown

References

Best Practices

Related skills

Frequently asked questions

How do I install the Generate Burndown skill?

What does the Generate Burndown skill do?

Is Generate Burndown safe to use?

Which AI agents work with Generate Burndown?

Is Generate Burndown free to use?

Who published Generate Burndown?