How do I install the Beads skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add makabakaxy/beads 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.

Is Beads 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 Beads?

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 Beads free to use?

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

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

Beads by makabakaxy — Agent Skill

Name: Beads
Author: makabakaxy

File contents

beads (via mcp2cli)

Lightweight issue tracker with dependency management and workspace context.

Shortcuts

No shortcuts defined. Base command: mcp2cli beads <cmd>

Commands

Issue

Command	Description	Example	Ref
`mcp2cli beads issue create`	Create a new issue	`mcp2cli beads issue create --title "Fix memory leak" --issue-type bugmcp2cli beads issue create --title "Add login" --issue-type feature --assignee alice`	ref
`mcp2cli beads issue get`	Get detailed issue info	`mcp2cli beads issue get --issue-id ISSUE-1`	ref
`mcp2cli beads issue list`	List issues with filters	`mcp2cli beads issue list --status open --assignee alice`	ref
`mcp2cli beads issue update`	Update issue fields	`mcp2cli beads issue update --issue-id ISSUE-1 --status in_progress`	ref
`mcp2cli beads issue close`	Close/complete an issue	`mcp2cli beads issue close --issue-id ISSUE-1`	ref
`mcp2cli beads issue claim`	Atomically claim an issue for work	`mcp2cli beads issue claim --issue-id ISSUE-1`	ref
`mcp2cli beads issue ready`	Find issues with no blockers	`mcp2cli beads issue readymcp2cli beads issue ready --assignee alice --limit 5`	ref
`mcp2cli beads issue blocked`	Get blocked issues	`mcp2cli beads issue blocked`	ref

Workspace

Command	Description	Example	Ref
`mcp2cli beads dep`	Add dependency between issues	`mcp2cli beads dep --issue-id ISSUE-2 --depends-on-id ISSUE-1`	ref
`mcp2cli beads stats`	Get issue statistics	`mcp2cli beads stats`	ref
`mcp2cli beads context`	Manage workspace context	`mcp2cli beads context --action show`	ref
`mcp2cli beads admin`	Admin/diagnostic operations	`mcp2cli beads admin --action validate`	ref
`mcp2cli beads tool list`	List available tools	`mcp2cli beads tool list`	ref

Discover Parameters

Append --help to any command for full parameter list:

mcp2cli beads issue create --help

Note: Use Ref links in the Commands table above to view detailed parameter reference and more examples.

User Notes

MUST READ users/skill.md for custom workflows and tips. Config: MCP server settings live in ~/.agents/mcp2cli/servers.yaml - edit there to take effect.

---name: beadsdescription: Manage issues, track dependencies, and monitor workspace progress via CLI. Use when user needs to create/list/update issues, manage blockers, claim work, or get project stats.---# beads (via mcp2cli)Lightweight issue tracker with dependency management and workspace context.## ShortcutsNo shortcuts defined. Base command: `mcp2cli beads <cmd>`## Commands### Issue| Command | Description | Example | Ref ||---|---|---|---|| `mcp2cli beads issue create` | Create a new issue | `mcp2cli beads issue create --title "Fix memory leak" --issue-type bug`<br>`mcp2cli beads issue create --title "Add login" --issue-type feature --assignee alice` | [ref](reference/issue.md) || `mcp2cli beads issue get` | Get detailed issue info | `mcp2cli beads issue get --issue-id ISSUE-1` | [ref](reference/issue.md) || `mcp2cli beads issue list` | List issues with filters | `mcp2cli beads issue list --status open --assignee alice` | [ref](reference/issue.md) || `mcp2cli beads issue update` | Update issue fields | `mcp2cli beads issue update --issue-id ISSUE-1 --status in_progress` | [ref](reference/issue.md) || `mcp2cli beads issue close` | Close/complete an issue | `mcp2cli beads issue close --issue-id ISSUE-1` | [ref](reference/issue.md) || `mcp2cli beads issue claim` | Atomically claim an issue for work | `mcp2cli beads issue claim --issue-id ISSUE-1` | [ref](reference/issue.md) || `mcp2cli beads issue ready` | Find issues with no blockers | `mcp2cli beads issue ready`<br>`mcp2cli beads issue ready --assignee alice --limit 5` | [ref](reference/issue.md) || `mcp2cli beads issue blocked` | Get blocked issues | `mcp2cli beads issue blocked` | [ref](reference/issue.md) |### Workspace| Command | Description | Example | Ref ||---|---|---|---|| `mcp2cli beads dep` | Add dependency between issues | `mcp2cli beads dep --issue-id ISSUE-2 --depends-on-id ISSUE-1` | [ref](reference/workspace.md) || `mcp2cli beads stats` | Get issue statistics | `mcp2cli beads stats` | [ref](reference/workspace.md) || `mcp2cli beads context` | Manage workspace context | `mcp2cli beads context --action show` | [ref](reference/workspace.md) || `mcp2cli beads admin` | Admin/diagnostic operations | `mcp2cli beads admin --action validate` | [ref](reference/workspace.md) || `mcp2cli beads tool list` | List available tools | `mcp2cli beads tool list` | [ref](reference/workspace.md) |## Discover ParametersAppend `--help` to any command for full parameter list: mcp2cli beads issue create --help> **Note**: Use Ref links in the Commands table above to view detailed parameter reference and more examples.## User Notes> **MUST READ** [users/skill.md](users/skill.md) for custom workflows and tips.> **Config**: MCP server settings live in `~/.agents/mcp2cli/servers.yaml` - edit there to take effect.

Frequently asked questions

Beads