to-issues

Breaks plans and PRDs into independently-grabbable vertical-slice issues on a project issue tracker.

2|Updated Oct 16, 2021
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/pattobrien/dotfiles --skill to-issues-pattobrien
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: to-issues
Source: https://github.com/pattobrien/dotfiles/tree/main/.agents/skills/to-issues
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/pattobrien/dotfiles --skill to-issues-pattobrien

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Turning a plan, spec, or PRD into actionable tickets is slow and often produces horizontal, layer-by-layer tasks that cannot be shipped independently. This Skill converts planning documents into thin vertical-slice issues that cut through all integration layers, so each ticket is demoable and ready for autonomous agents or developers to pick up. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Tracer-bullet slicing: Decomposes a plan into end-to-end vertical slices spanning schema, API, UI, and tests rather than horizontal layer tasks. - HITL vs AFK classification: Marks each slice as requiring human interaction (HITL) or fully autonomous (AFK), preferring AFK where possible. - Interactive breakdown review: Presents proposed slices with titles, types, dependencies, and covered user stories, then iterates with the user until approved. - Tracker publishing with dependencies: Publishes issues in dependency order with a structured body template (What to build, Acceptance criteria, Blocked by) and correct triage labels. - Use Case: After drafting a PRD for a new feature, ask the agent to break it into issues; it proposes five vertical slices, you adjust granularity, and it publishes linked tickets to the issue tracker ready for AFK agents. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to break the attached plan or PRD into independently-grabbable issues and publish them to the issue tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions about to-issues

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I break a PRD into implementation issues?▼

Provide the plan, spec, or PRD in conversation and invoke the to-issues skill. It drafts tracer-bullet vertical slices, quizzes you on granularity and dependencies, then publishes approved issues to your issue tracker in dependency order.

What is a vertical slice or tracer bullet issue?▼

A vertical slice is a thin ticket that cuts through all integration layers end-to-end, including schema, API, UI, and tests, rather than a horizontal slice of one layer. Each completed slice is independently demoable or verifiable.

What is the difference between HITL and AFK slices?▼

HITL slices require human interaction, such as architectural decisions or design reviews, while AFK slices can be implemented and merged without human involvement. The skill prefers AFK slices where possible and labels each accordingly.

Does the skill modify or close the parent issue?▼

No. The skill explicitly does not close or modify any parent issue. It only references the parent in the new issue bodies and publishes child slices with their own triage labels.

What setup is required before creating issues from a plan?▼

The issue tracker and triage label vocabulary must be provided to the agent first, via the /setup-matt-pocock-skills command. Without that context, the skill cannot publish issues with correct labels.