bd (Beads) Skill
This skill covers using bd for issue tracking and backlog management.
Run bd onboard to get started.
Core Principle: The Backlog Is Everything
Every task MUST be a bd issue. No exceptions.
Why Everything Goes Through bd
- Visibility: The human can see all planned and in-progress work
- Context Management: Subagents get focused, scoped tasks instead of sprawling conversations
- Continuity: If a session ends, the backlog preserves state
- Auditability: Every change traces back to an issue
Recommended: Use task-design Skill
When creating issues, use the task-design skill for well-structured tasks.
Well-designed tasks have:
- Context: Why this matters
- Scope: What to touch (and what NOT to)
- Requirements: Verifiable MUST/SHOULD statements
- Acceptance Criteria: Checkboxes for completion
- Validation: How to verify the work
Workflow
When asked to do something:
- Decompose the request into discrete, actionable tasks
- Author issues for each task using
bd create - Delegate each issue to a subagent for execution
- Review the subagent's work
- Close the issue when complete
Commands
bd onboard # Get oriented (run once)
bd ready # Find available work
bd create "<title>" # Create a new issue
bd show <id> # View issue details
bd update <id> --status in_progress # Claim work
bd close <id> # Complete work
bd sync # Sync issues with git
bd list # List all issues
Session Management
Starting a Session
bd ready # See what's available
bd update <id> --status in_progress # Claim an issue
Completing Work
bd close <id> # Mark issue complete
bd sync # Sync with git
Ending a Session
File issues for any remaining work:
bd create "Continue section X"
bd create "Review feedback from Y"
Update statuses:
bd close <completed-ids>
bd update <partial-id> --status in_progress
Sync everything:
bd sync