Tracking Technical Debt

Tracking Technical Debt

The Trigger

Use this skill when you think: "I noticed something that needs fixing, but I can't/shouldn't fix it now."

Examples:

• "This loop is O(n²) but I'm here to fix a bug"
• "This should be configurable but I'm shipping MVP"
• "This validation is duplicated in 3 places"
• "This is a hack that should be cleaned up later"

If you notice it and don't track it, it will be forgotten.

The Rule

Every noticed problem gets one of two treatments:

1. Fix it now (if < 5 minutes and isolated)
2. Track it (bead + code marker)

There is no third option. "I'll remember" is not tracking. "TODO comment" is not tracking. Mental notes are not tracking.

Quick Workflow

# 1. Create bead (captures the issue)
bd create "O(n²) loop in auth validator needs optimization" --labels debt

# 2. Add code marker (links code to bead)
# In src/auth/validator.ts:45
// DEBT[bd-xxxx]: O(n²) loop - should use Set for O(n) lookup

That's it. Two steps. Under 2 minutes.

When to Track vs Fix Immediately

The Code Marker Pattern

Format: DEBT[bead-id]: Brief description

// DEBT[bd-1234]: Cache stampede possible under high load
func (m *Manager) Get(key string) ([]byte, error) {

# DEBT[bd-5678]: Should batch these database calls
for item in items:
    db.save(item)

// DEBT[bd-9012]: Duplicated validation - also in user.ts and admin.ts
function validateEmail(email: string) {

Why the marker matters:

• rg "DEBT\[" finds all debt in codebase
• rg "bd-1234" finds specific issue in code AND tracker
• When you fix the issue, you know to remove the marker

Batching Small Issues

Multiple tiny issues in one file? Batch them:

# One bead for the file
bd create "Clean up minor issues in format.ts" --labels debt,cleanup \
  --description "- Line 23: rename x to formattedValue
- Line 45: remove unused import
- Line 67: existing TODO needs proper tracking"

// At top of file or near first issue:
// DEBT[bd-3456]: Multiple minor cleanup items - see issue for list

Batching is fine for:

• Multiple issues in same file
• Related issues in same module
• Tiny issues (< 2 min each) that share context

Don't batch:

• Unrelated issues across codebase
• Issues with different priorities
• Issues that might be fixed at different times

Rationalization Table

Red Flags - STOP If You Think This

• "This is too minor to bother with" → Track it or fix it
• "I'll definitely remember this" → You won't. Track it.
• "A TODO comment is good enough" → It's not. Use beads.
• "I'll batch these up and create issues at the end" → Context fades. Track now.
• "The bead overhead isn't worth it" → 2 minutes now vs forgotten forever

Finding Debt

# All debt markers in codebase
rg "DEBT\[" .

# Specific issue
rg "bd-1234" .

# All tracked debt in beads
bd list --label debt

# Debt analytics (if using bv)
bv --robot-priority  # What debt is most impactful?

Closing Debt

When you fix the issue:

1. Remove the DEBT[bd-xxxx] marker from code
2. Close the bead: bd close bd-xxxx -r "Fixed in commit abc123"

Both steps. Don't leave orphaned markers or open beads.

Integration with Workflows

During implementation: Notice problem → track it → continue your work

During code review: Reviewer spots debt → create bead + marker

Sprint planning: bd list --label debt → prioritize what to address

Before major features: Check debt that might block or complicate the work

Summary

1. Notice problem while working on something else
2. Decide: Fix now (< 5 min) or track
3. If tracking: bd create + DEBT[bd-xxxx] marker
4. Continue your original work
5. Later: Fix debt, remove marker, close bead

The discipline: If you see it and don't track it, you've chosen to forget it.