# Backlog Notation

> Syntax reference for Backlog notation (Backlog記法), the native markup syntax for Nulab Backlog. Covers headings, lists, tables, text styling, links, code blocks, and other formatting elements. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/backlog-notation` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/backlog-notation`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/backlog-notation/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Product & Planning
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/backlog-notation

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# backlog-notation

Backlog notation (Backlog記法) syntax reference. This is **not Markdown** — do not mix the two syntaxes.

## Quick Reference

| Feature            | Syntax                                                |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| Heading            | `* H1` / `** H2` / `*** H3` / `**** H4`               |
| Bold               | `''text''`                                            |
| Italic             | `'''text'''`                                          |
| Strikethrough      | `%%text%%`                                            |
| Color              | `&color(red) { text }`                                |
| Color + background | `&color(#fff, #333) { text }`                         |
| Bullet list        | `- item` (nest with `--`)                             |
| Numbered list      | `+ item` (nest with `++`)                             |
| Checklist          | `- [ ] todo` / `- [x] done` (issue descriptions only) |
| Link               | `[[https://example.com]]`                             |
| Labeled link       | `[[label>https://example.com]]`                       |
| Issue link         | `PROJECT-123` (auto-linked)                           |
| Quote              | `> text` or `{quote}...{/quote}`                      |
| Code block         | `{code}...{/code}`                                    |
| Code (lang)        | `{code:java}...{/code}`                               |
| Image              | `#image(URL or filename)`                             |
| Thumbnail          | `#thumbnail(URL or filename)` (< 200KB)               |
| Table of contents  | `#contents`                                           |
| Line break         | `&br;`                                                |
| Escape             | `\` before special characters                         |

## Tables

Separate cells with `|`. End a row with `h` for a header row. Prefix a cell with `~` for a row header. Use `>` to merge a cell with the one to its left.

```
|Name|Value|Note|h
|~Header|data 1|data 2|
|Span two||>|
```

## Markdown → Backlog Notation Conversion

| Markdown            | Backlog Notation       |
| ------------------- | ---------------------- |
| `# H1`              | `* H1`                 |
| `**bold**`          | `''bold''`             |
| `*italic*`          | `'''italic'''`         |
| `~~strike~~`        | `%%strike%%`           |
| `1. item`           | `+ item`               |
| ` ``` `             | `{code}` / `{/code}`   |
| `[text](url)`       | `[[text>url]]`         |
| `![alt](url)`       | `#image(url)`          |
| `\|---\|` separator | `\|h` at end of row    |
| N/A                 | `&color(red) { text }` |

## Gotchas

- No inline code syntax — only block-level `{code}...{/code}`
- `{quote}` blocks cannot be nested
- Checklists work only in issue descriptions, not in comments or wikis
- Supported code languages: `java`, `cs`, `js`, `python`, `ruby`, `perl`, `php`, `sql`, `html`, `xml`, `css`, `shell`, etc.

---
> Source: [nulab/bee](https://github.com/nulab/bee) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).
<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-06-21 -->