Backlog.md Overview (Tools)

Your client is using Backlog.md via tools. Use the following MCP tools to retrieve guidance and manage tasks.

When to Use Backlog

Create a task if the work requires planning or decision-making. Ask yourself: "Do I need to think about HOW to do this?"

• YES → Search for existing task first, create if needed
• NO → Just do it (the change is trivial/mechanical)

Examples of work that needs tasks:

• "Fix the authentication bug" → need to investigate, understand root cause, choose fix
• "Add error handling to the API" → need to decide what errors, how to handle them
• "Refactor UserService" → need to plan new structure, migration path

Examples of work that doesn't need tasks:

• "Fix typo in README" → obvious mechanical change
• "Update version number to 2.0" → straightforward edit
• "Add missing semicolon" → clear what to do

Always skip tasks for: questions, exploratory requests, or knowledge transfer only.

Core Workflow Tools

Use these tools to retrieve the required Backlog.md guidance in markdown form:

• get_workflow_overview — Overview of when and how to use Backlog
• get_task_creation_guide — Detailed instructions for creating tasks (scope, acceptance criteria, structure)
• get_task_execution_guide — Planning and executing tasks (implementation plans, approvals, scope changes)
• get_task_completion_guide — Definition of Done, completion workflow, next steps

Each tool returns the same content that resource-capable clients read via backlog://workflow/... URIs.

Typical Workflow (Tools)

1. Search first: call task_search or task_list with filters to find existing work
2. If found: read details via task_view; follow execution/plan guidance from the retrieved markdown
3. If not found: consult get_task_creation_guide, then create tasks with task_create
4. Execute & complete: use the execution/completion guides to manage status, plans, notes, and acceptance criteria (task_edit, task_archive)

Core Principle

Backlog tracks commitments (what will be built). Use your judgment to distinguish between "help me understand X" (no task) vs "add feature Y" (create tasks).

MCP Tools Quick Reference

• get_workflow_overview, get_task_creation_guide, get_task_execution_guide, get_task_completion_guide
• task_list, task_search, task_view, task_create, task_edit, task_archive
• document_list, document_view, document_create, document_update, document_search

Always operate through the MCP tools above. Never edit markdown files directly; use the tools so relationships, metadata, and history stay consistent.