| name | to-issues |
| description | Breaks a plan, spec, or PRD into independently-grabbable GitHub issues using tracer-bullet vertical slices. Use when the user wants to convert a plan into issues, create implementation tickets, or break down work into issues. |
To Issues
Break a plan into independently-grabbable issues using vertical slices (tracer bullets).
Where the issues go
By default, the project tracks issues on GitHub via the gh CLI. Publish each slice as a new GitHub issue with gh issue create.
Fallback: if gh is not available, or the repo has no GitHub remote, write each issue as a markdown file under docs/issues/<slug>.md instead (where <slug> is a short kebab-case name for the slice). Tell the user where you wrote them.
No triage labels are required — just create the issues/files.
If the project has a CONTEXT.md, glossary, or similar, use its vocabulary in issue titles and descriptions.
Process
1. Gather context
Work from whatever is already in the conversation context. If the user passes an issue reference (issue number, URL, or path) as an argument, fetch it (gh issue view <number>, or read the file) and read its full body and comments.
2. Explore the codebase (optional)
If you have not already explored the codebase, do so to understand the current state of the code. Respect ADRs in the area you're touching.
3. Draft vertical slices
Break the plan into tracer bullet issues. Each issue is a thin vertical slice that cuts through ALL integration layers end-to-end, NOT a horizontal slice of one layer.
Slices may be 'HITL' or 'AFK'. HITL slices require human interaction, such as an architectural decision or a design review. AFK slices can be implemented and merged without human interaction. Prefer AFK over HITL where possible.
- Each slice delivers a narrow but COMPLETE path through every layer (schema, API, UI, tests)
- A completed slice is demoable or verifiable on its own
- Prefer many thin slices over few thick ones
4. Quiz the user
Present the proposed breakdown as a numbered list. For each slice, show:
- Title: short descriptive name
- Type: HITL / AFK
- Blocked by: which other slices (if any) must complete first
- User stories covered: which user stories this addresses (if the source material has them)
Ask the user:
- Does the granularity feel right? (too coarse / too fine)
- Are the dependency relationships correct?
- Should any slices be merged or split further?
- Are the correct slices marked as HITL and AFK?
Iterate until the user approves the breakdown.
5. Publish the issues
For each approved slice, publish a new issue using the issue body template below. By default, create it on GitHub with gh issue create; in the fallback case, write it to docs/issues/<slug>.md.
Publish issues in dependency order (blockers first) so you can reference real issue identifiers (issue numbers, or file paths in the fallback case) in the "Blocked by" field.
## Parent
A reference to the parent issue (if the source was an existing issue, otherwise omit this section).
What to build
A concise description of this vertical slice. Describe the end-to-end behavior, not layer-by-layer implementation.
Avoid specific file paths or code snippets — they go stale fast. Exception: if a prototype produced a snippet that encodes a decision more precisely than prose can (state machine, reducer, schema, type shape), inline it here and note briefly that it came from a prototype. Trim to the decision-rich parts — not a working demo, just the important bits.
Acceptance criteria
Blocked by
- A reference to the blocking ticket (if any)
Or "None - can start immediately" if no blockers.
Do NOT close or modify any parent issue.
