backlog-to-rules

name	backlog-to-rules
description	Implement accumulated improvements from improvements-backlog into AI rules and skills. Use when backlog has 5+ items, weekly rule update cycle, 2+ high priority improvements exist, before important releases, when same error repeated 3+ times, when user says implement improvements/process backlog/update rules from errors.
allowed-tools	Read, Write, Bash, Grep, Glob
model	sonnet
user-invocable	true

Backlog to Rules

Turn accumulated error experience into concrete rules that prevent repetition. Every error that reaches production twice is a missing rule.

When to Run

Condition	Priority
5+ improvements in backlog	Mandatory
Week since last implementation	Recommended
2+ High priority improvements	Mandatory
Before important release	Recommended
Same error repeated 3+ times	Immediate

Process (7 Phases)

Phase 1: Analyze

1. Open .cursor/data/improvements-backlog.md
2. Group improvements by target files
3. Collect statistics (total, high/medium/low priority)
4. Identify error patterns (merge similar ones)

Phase 2: Research

For each target file:

1. Read current structure
2. Determine where to add each improvement (existing or new section)
3. Check for conflicts with existing rules

Phase 3: Plan

1. List changes by file
2. Define success criteria
3. For complex cases — full plan (see references/templates.md)

Phase 4: Implement

Implementation rules:

• Add new sections — do NOT replace existing ones because existing rules were validated by real errors
• Each rule with a concrete code/command example
• Each rule with WHY (real error case) because rules without reasoning get ignored
• Preserve file format (tables, code blocks)
• After each file — re-read entirely, verify structure

Phase 5: Verify

1. All existing sections preserved
2. New sections supplement, not replace
3. Format matches file style
4. Cross-file references intact
5. Cross-check: every file opened and verified

Phase 6: Update Backlog

1. Update statuses: Backlog -> Done
2. Move to "Implemented" section in brief format
3. Update header statistics

Phase 7: Summary

Report: how many implemented, which files updated, which patterns prevented, confidence.

Quick Version (1-2 improvements)

1. Open backlog, find improvement
2. Open target instruction file
3. Add section at end of corresponding area
4. Include WHY with real error case
5. Update backlog status to Done

Quality Framework

Element	What to include
Input	What triggers the rule
Output	What should be done
Success Metrics	How to measure success
Guardrails	What is forbidden, boundaries
WHY	Real error case

References

• templates.md — analysis, plan, and verification templates
• anti-patterns.md — common mistakes when implementing rules