triage

name	triage
description	Triage and prioritize Linear backlog issues using the linear CLI. Analyzes staleness, blockers, dependency health, and priority mismatches. Use when the user asks about backlog grooming, sprint planning, issue prioritization, managing stale tickets, or cleaning up Linear issues.

Triage Skill - Backlog Analysis

Process

1. Setup

linear init  # if .linear.yaml doesn't exist

2. Fetch the backlog

linear issues list --state Backlog --format full --limit 100

Verify: confirm issues are returned before proceeding. If empty, check team context with linear init.

3. Analyze dependencies

linear deps --team ENG

4. Filter by priority and labels

# Urgent (P1)
linear issues list --state Backlog --priority 1 --format full

# High priority (P2)
linear issues list --state Backlog --priority 2 --format full

# Customer issues
linear issues list --labels customer --format full

# Bugs in backlog
linear issues list --state Backlog --labels bug --format full

# Combined filters
linear issues list --state Backlog --priority 1 --labels customer --format full

5. Identify issues

Flag issues matching these patterns:

Pattern	Criteria	Action
Stale	No updates 30+ days	Ping assignee or close
Very stale	No updates 60+ days	Close with comment
Blocked	Dependencies unresolved	Escalate blocker
Orphaned	No assignee + no activity	Assign or close
Priority mismatch	P1/P2 but blocked	Escalate the blocker first

Verify: cross-check flagged issues against dependency graph from step 3. Blocked issues with completed blockers should be unblocked immediately:

linear issues update ENG-123 --priority 2
linear issues comment ENG-123 --body "Triaged: Needs unblocking before sprint"

6. Generate report

Use this output format:

BACKLOG TRIAGE: Team ENG
════════════════════════════════════════

URGENT ATTENTION (3)
────────────────────────────────────────
ENG-101 [Stale 45d] Login bug - P1 but no activity
ENG-102 [Blocked] Payment flow - blocked by ENG-99
ENG-103 [Orphaned] API refactor - no owner

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
────────────────────────────────────────
1. Unblock ENG-102: Complete ENG-99 or remove dependency
2. Assign ENG-103: Needs owner or close if abandoned
3. Update ENG-101: Stale P1 needs attention

HEALTH SUMMARY
────────────────────────────────────────
Total issues: 45
Blocked: 8 (17%)
Stale: 12 (26%)
Healthy: 25 (55%)

Verify: confirm every recommended action references a real issue ID from the fetched data.

References

• Analysis framework — staleness thresholds, dependency health rules, priority assessment criteria