Beads Upgrade Path

Beads Upgrade Path

Use this skill when a repo already has Beads workflow and the question is whether it should stay put or move up a tier.

Outcome rule:

• using this skill should result in tier/doctrine hygiene for the repo, not just a narrated upgrade plan
• if the upgrade is justified and safe, apply the smallest necessary repo-local changes directly and verify them
• only stop at a recommendation when the repo should intentionally stay put, or when permissions/coordination risk make direct application unsafe

References:

• ${HOME}/.claude/PAI/BEADS_ADOPTION.md
• ${PAI_EXTENSIONS_DIR}/skills/Beads/Bootstrap/references/tiers.md
• references/upgrade-checklist.md

Core rule

Do not upgrade just because advanced features exist.

Upgrade only when the current operating model has a real mismatch.

Quick start

pwd
git rev-parse --show-toplevel
find . \
  -path './.git' -prune -o \
  -path './.claude/worktrees' -prune -o \
  \( -name AGENTS.md -o -name CLAUDE.md \) -print
test -d .beads && echo ".beads exists" || echo ".beads missing"
bd version
bd context --json || true
bd bootstrap --dry-run || true
bd ready --json || true
gh pr list --state open || true

Then read the repo workflow files and determine the current tier.

Ask only if needed

At most:

1. Are multiple agents expected to work concurrently here?
2. Are multi-repo routing, orchestration, or federation actually needed?
3. Should the upgrade include machine-level Claude hook changes, or repo-local workflow only?

Upgrade logic

T1 -> T2

Upgrade when:

• multiple agents are active or expected
• PR-first workflow exists or should exist
• sequencing and waits should become repo policy instead of operator habit

Typical changes:

• strengthen root AGENTS.md
• clarify CLAUDE.md session bootstrap
• introduce explicit bd dep and bd gate rules
• document worktree policy
• document merge-slot policy if hot files exist
• add maintenance cadence

Do not add unless needed:

• routing
• federation
• crew/orchestration features
• server mode

T2 -> T3

Upgrade when:

• contributor vs maintainer routing is needed
• multiple repos should hydrate into one working view
• orchestration features are real, not hypothetical
• repeated workflows justify molecules/wisps
• independent workspaces or orgs truly need federation

Typical changes:

• add explicit routing/storage/orchestration sections to AGENTS.md
• document which advanced features are truly in use
• choose the smallest needed set:
  • routing
  • repos.additional
  • --contributor / --team
  • molecules/swarm
  • message/role/convoy patterns
  • federation peers

Avoid:

• bd init --quiet --server without true multi-writer need
• federation because it sounds advanced
• role/message/convoy beads without a real control plane

Upgrade invariants

Across all tiers, keep stable:

• Beads is task authority
• local memory is non-authoritative unless repo says otherwise
• close tasks only on real completion / merge / supersession
• bd bootstrap --dry-run for uncertain identity, bd ready --json, bd show --json, bd update --claim --json, bd comment --json, bd note --json, bd remember --json, bd close --json, plus explicit bd dolt pull / bd dolt push remain core
• bd note is for durable consolidated state; bd comment is safer for concurrent per-agent observations
• bd batch is the preferred primitive for scripted multi-bead create/update/close/dep operations

Upgrade by adding layers, not rewriting fundamentals.

Validation

find . \
  -path './.git' -prune -o \
  -path './.claude/worktrees' -prune -o \
  \( -name AGENTS.md -o -name CLAUDE.md \) -print
bd ready --json || true
gh pr list --state open || true
git diff --check

Then report:

• current tier
• recommended tier
• whether upgrade is justified
• exact files or rules to change
• advanced features added
• advanced features deliberately left out
• why this is the smallest justified upgrade