Recipe: Delegate and Track
Assign emails to teammates with context, set due dates, and track delegation status to completion.
Prerequisite: Read the use-spark base skill for command reference and filter syntax.
Access level required: triage.
Steps
Step 1: Review the team
spark team "Team Name"
See who's available and their current assignment load.
Step 2: Identify items to delegate
spark emails Inbox --filter "category:personal is:unread"
Or for shared inbox items:
spark emails shared@company.com:Inbox --filter "assigned_to:unassigned"
Step 3: Read before delegating
spark thread <id>
Understand the context so you can write a meaningful assignment comment.
Step 4: Assign with context
spark action assign <id> --assignee bob@co.com --comment "Customer needs API key rotation, your area of expertise"
For time-sensitive items, add a due date:
spark action assign <id> --assignee bob@co.com --date 2026-04-10 --comment "Needs response by Friday"
Step 5: Track your delegations
spark emails --filter "assigned_by:me"
Review the list of items you've delegated. Check progress periodically.
Step 6: Complete or reopen
When a delegation is done:
spark action delegationComplete <id>
If more work is needed:
spark action delegationReopen <id>
Tips
- Always include a
--commentwhen assigning - it saves the assignee from having to re-read the entire thread. - Check
spark teamfor the assignment summary before delegating to avoid overloading one person. - Use
--datefor items with real deadlines - it creates visibility for the assignee. - Run
spark emails --filter "assigned_by:me"daily to monitor your delegation pipeline. - Complete delegations promptly to keep the tracking view clean.