Github Next Issue

GitHub Next Issue — Pick and Start

Pick the first Todo issue from a GitHub Project board, move it to In Progress, and dispatch an agent to implement it via /inbox.

Trigger

Use when the user says /github-next-issue, "next issue", "pick next issue", "start next task", "what's next on the board", or wants to grab the next item from a GitHub project board.

Process

1. Identify the GitHub Project

gh project list --owner $(gh repo view --json owner -q '.owner.login')

If multiple projects exist, pick the one most relevant to the current repo (by name match or most recent). If ambiguous, ask the user.

2. List Todo items

gh project item-list <PROJECT_NUMBER> --owner <OWNER> --format json

Filter items where status == "Todo". Sort by position (first item in the list = highest priority).

3. Show the issue to the user

Display a one-line summary:

First Todo: #<NUMBER> — "<TITLE>" (<POINTS>, <EPIC>)

4. Move to In Progress

Get the project field IDs and option IDs:

gh project field-list <PROJECT_NUMBER> --owner <OWNER> --format json

Then update the item status:

gh project item-edit \
  --project-id <PROJECT_ID> \
  --id <ITEM_ID> \
  --field-id <STATUS_FIELD_ID> \
  --single-select-option-id <IN_PROGRESS_OPTION_ID>

5. Confirm

Tell the user:

Issue #<NUMBER> — "<TITLE>" is now In Progress.

6. Dispatch agent

Use the /inbox skill to dispatch an agent to implement the issue. Pass the issue number, title, and body as context so the agent has everything it needs.

Critical: The dispatch prompt MUST include instructions to push the branch and create a PR with gh pr create that references the issue number (Closes #N). Without this, the agent will only commit locally and the work won't be reviewable.

Important

• Always pick the FIRST Todo item (highest priority by board order)
• Never skip items or reorder — the board order is the priority
• If there are no Todo items, tell the user the board is clear
• This skill works with any GitHub Project V2 board, not just a specific one