Writing Tickets Skill | Agent Skills

Writing Tickets

Overview

Create implementation tickets using tk assuming the engineer has zero context for our codebase and questionable taste. Document everything they need: which files to touch, code snippets, testing approach, relevant docs. Break work into bite-sized tickets. DRY. YAGNI. TDD. Frequent commits.

Assume they are a skilled developer but know almost nothing about our toolset or problem domain. Assume they don't know good test design very well.

Announce at start: "I'm using the writing-tickets skill to create implementation tickets."

Context: This should be run in a dedicated worktree (created by brainstorming skill).

Bite-Sized Ticket Granularity

Each ticket is one logical unit (2-15 minutes):

"Write failing test for X" - ticket
"Implement X to pass tests" - ticket
"Add validation for edge case Y" - ticket

NOT: "Write test, implement, validate, refactor, commit" - too much for one ticket.

Workflow

1. Create Epic Ticket

tk create "Feature: [Name]" --type=epic --priority=2

Add to epic body:

Goal: One sentence describing what this builds
Architecture: 2-3 sentences about approach
Tech Stack: Key technologies/libraries
Acceptance Criteria: High-level success conditions

2. Create Task Tickets

For each logical unit of work:

tk create "[Task description]" --type=task --priority=2

Then link to epic and set dependencies:

tk dep <task-id> <epic-id>        # task is child of epic
tk dep <task-id> <blocker-id>     # task blocked by another task

3. Ticket Body Structure

Use tk edit <id> to add details:

# [Task Title]

**Files:**
- Create: `exact/path/to/file.py`
- Modify: `exact/path/to/existing.py:123-145`
- Test: `tests/exact/path/to/test.py`

## Steps

1. Write failing test:
   ```python
   def test_specific_behavior():
       result = function(input)
       assert result == expected

Run: pytest tests/path/test.py::test_name -v Expected: FAIL with "function not defined"

Implement:

def function(input):
    return expected

Run tests, verify pass
Commit: git commit -m "feat: add specific feature"

Acceptance Criteria

[ ] Test exists and passes
[ ] Code follows project patterns
[ ] No regressions


### 4. Add Notes for Context

```bash
tk add-note <id> "Relevant docs: https://..."
tk add-note <id> "Watch out for edge case X"

Remember

Exact file paths always
Complete code in tickets (not "add validation")
Exact commands with expected output
Reference relevant skills with @ syntax
DRY, YAGNI, TDD, frequent commits

Useful Commands

tk ls                    # list all tickets
tk ls --status=open      # open tickets only
tk ready                 # tickets ready to work (deps resolved)
tk blocked               # tickets with unresolved blockers
tk dep tree <epic-id>    # visualize task hierarchy
tk show <id>             # view ticket details

Execution Handoff

After creating tickets:

"Tickets created. View with tk dep tree <epic-id>. Two execution options:

1. Subagent-Driven (this session) - I work through tk ready queue, review between tickets, fast iteration

2. Parallel Session (separate) - Open new session, batch execution with checkpoints

Which approach?"

If Subagent-Driven chosen:

Use tk ready to get next workable ticket
tk start <id> before working
tk close <id> when done
Fresh subagent per ticket + code review

If Parallel Session chosen:

Guide them to open new session in worktree
Use tk ready workflow in new session

Agent Skills: Writing Tickets

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