triage

Files (4)

• SKILL.md
• openai.yml · agents/
• agent-brief.md · references/
• out-of-scope.md · references/

SKILL.md (first lines)

# Triage

Move issues on the project issue tracker through a small state machine of issue roles.

Every comment or issue posted to the issue tracker during triage **must** start with this disclaimer:

```markdown
> _This was generated by AI during triage._
```

## Project Configuration

Before anything else, read these files from the project root:

- `.farseer/issue-tracker.md`: which tracker this repo uses and how to query, label, comment on, and close issues. For a local-markdown tracker, state lives in each issue file, not in labels.
- `.farseer/issue-labels.md`: the label string this repo uses for each role below.
- `.farseer/glossary.md` (if present): the domain glossary used when exploring the codebase.

If `issue-tracker.md` or `issue-labels.md` is missing, stop and tell the user to run `/farseer:repo-setup` first.

## Reference Docs

- [AGENT-BRIEF.md](./references/agent-brief.md): how to write durable agent briefs
- [OUT-OF-SCOPE.md](./references/out-of-scope.md): how the `.farseer/out-of-scope/` knowledge base works

## Roles

Two **category** roles:

- `bug`: something is broken
- `enhancement`: new feature or improvement

Five **state** roles:

- `needs-triage`: Unreviewed; nobody has decided what this is or who takes it
- `needs-info`: Further information is requested, or waiting on reporter for more information
- `ready-for-agent`: Scoped for autonomous execution; clear acceptance criteria, no open questions
- `ready-for-human`: Requires human implementation
- `wontfix`: This will not be worked on

Every triaged issue should carry exactly one category role and one state role. If state roles conflict, flag it and ask the user before doing anything else.

These are canonical role names. The actual label strings used in the issue tracker may differ; use the mapping in `.farseer/issue-labels.md`.

State transitions: an unlabeled issue normally goes to `needs-triage` first; from there it moves to `needs-info`, `ready-for-agent`, `ready-for-human`, or `wontfix`. `needs-info` returns to `needs-triage` once the reporter replies. The maintainer can override at any time; flag transitions that look unusual and ask before proceeding.

## Invocation

The maintainer invokes `/farseer:triage` and describes what they want in natural language. Interpret the request and act.

### Examples

- "Show me anything that needs my attention"
- "Let's look at #42" (issue or PR)
- "Move #42 to ready-for-agent"
- "What's ready for agents to pick up?"

## Show What Needs Attention

Query the issue tracker and present three buckets, oldest first:

1. **Unlabeled**: never triaged.
2. **`needs-triage`**: evaluation in progress.
3. **`needs-info` with reporter activity since the last triage notes**: needs re-evaluation.

Show counts and a one-line summary per item. Let the maintainer pick.

## Triage a Specific Issue

1. **Gather context.** Read the full issue (body, comments, labels, author, dates). Parse any prior triage notes so you don't re-ask resolved questions. Explore the codebase using the project's domain glossary, respecting ADRs in the area. Run two checks against the codebase: (a) **redundancy**: search for an existing implementation of the requested behavior by domain concept (not just the request's wording), and report where you looked. If found, it's an already-implemented `wontfix` (step 5). (b) **prior rejection**: read `.farseer/out-of-scope/*.md` and surface any that resembles this request.

2. **Recommend.** Tell the maintainer your category and state recommendation with reasoning, plus a brief codebase summary relevant to the request (including whether it's already implemented). Wait for direction.

3. **Verify the claim.** Before any interviewing, check that the claim holds up. For a bug, reproduce it from the reporter's steps. Report what happened: confirmed (with code path), failed, or insufficient detail (a strong `needs-info` signal). A confirmed verification makes a much stronger agent brief.

4. **Interview (if needed).** If the request needs fleshing out, call the Skill tool using "interviewer", and interview it into shape one round of questions at a time, sharpening domain terms and updating `.farseer/glossary.md` and ADRs inline as decisions land.

5. **Apply the outcome:**
   - `ready-for-agent`: post an agent brief comment ([AGENT-BRIEF.md](./references/agent-brief.md)).
   - `ready-for-human`: same structure as an agent brief, but note why it can't be delegated (judgment calls, external access, design decisions, manual testing).
   - `needs-info`: post triage notes (template below).
   - For `wontfix`, close the issue, with the comment depending on _why_:
     - **Already implemented**: the change already exists in the codebase. Point to where it lives; do **not** write to `.farseer/out-of-scope/` (that KB is for _rejected_ requests, not built ones).
     - **Rejected (bug)**: give a polite explanation, then close.
     - **Rejected (enhancement)**: write to `.farseer/out-of-scope/`, link to it from a comment, then close ([OUT-OF-SCOPE.md](./references/out-of-scope.md)).
   - `needs-triage`: apply the role. Optional comment if there's partial progress.

## Quick State Override

If the maintainer says "move #42 to ready-for-agent", trust them and apply the role directly. Confirm what you're about to do (role changes, comment, close), then act. Skip interviewer. If moving to `ready-for-agent` without a interviewing session, ask whether they want to write an agent brief.

## Needs-info Template

```markdown
## Triage Notes

**What we've established so far:**

- point 1
- point 2

**What we still need from you (@reporter):**

- question 1
- question 2
```

Capture everything resolved during interviewing under "established so far" so the work isn't lost. Questions must be specific and actionable, not "please provide more info".

## Resuming a Previous Session

If prior triage notes exist on the issue, read them, check whether the reporter has answered any outstanding questions, and present an updated picture before continuing. Don't re-ask resolved questions.

From petemcw/farseer, MIT.

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