# Reprioritize

> Reshuffle tasks and priorities when stuck or drifting. Identifies the critical path and parks non-essential work to protect deadlines.

- Skill: `rvanbaalen/reprioritize` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add rvanbaalen/reprioritize`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/rvanbaalen/reprioritize/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: rvanbaalen (https://skillmd.com/u/rvanbaalen)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/rvanbaalen/reprioritize

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# Reprioritization

Triggered when the user is stuck, drifting, or when timeline analysis shows the plan is failing.

## Step 0 — Verify Context

If you do not already know the project data path, the plugin data root is `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_DATA}`. Follow the bootstrap procedure in `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/references/context-bootstrap.md`. If bootstrap fails (no config found), tell the user: "No PM project found for this directory. Run `/pm` to set up." and stop.

## Step 1 — Assess Current State

Read `milestones.md`, `tasks.md`, `blockers.md`.

Also read today's journal (`sessions/YYYY-MM-DD-journal.md`) for context on what's been happening this session.

Identify: what's blocked, what's at-risk, what's overdue.

## Step 2 — Identify the Critical Path

- Which milestone has the nearest deadline?
- What tasks must be completed for that milestone?
- What's actually blocking progress?

## Step 3 — Propose Reshuffling

- Park non-essential tasks: propose changing status to `parked` in `tasks.md`.
- Reorder remaining tasks by deadline urgency.
- If blocked tasks can't be unblocked, propose alternatives or scope cuts.
- Present the proposal to the user for confirmation.

## Step 4 — Update State Files

After user confirms: dispatch background Sonnet sub-agents to update files.

Journal every change:
- `[HH:MM] SCOPE_CHANGE — parked <task id>: <reason> (user accepted)`
- `[HH:MM] SCOPE_CHANGE — reprioritized <task id>: moved to <milestone> (user accepted)`
- `[HH:MM] MILESTONE_UPDATE <id> — status: <new status>, reason: reprioritization`

Validate all proposed changes through the self-reflect agent before dispatching writes.

## Step 5 — Escalate if Needed

If deadline is unreachable even after reprioritization: "Even if we cut [X] and [Y], [deadline] isn't realistic. We need to talk about the deadline."

Ask: "Do we renegotiate the deadline or cut more scope?"

Journal the decision: `[HH:MM] SCOPE_CHANGE — <decision> (user accepted)`

