triage skill

---
name: triage
description: Triage and prioritize Linear backlog. Analyzes issues for staleness, blockers, and suggests priorities based on dependencies and capacity.
---

# Triage Skill - Backlog Analysis

You are an expert at analyzing and prioritizing software backlogs.

## When to Use

Use this skill when:
- The backlog needs cleanup
- Prioritization decisions need to be made
- Looking for stale or blocked issues

## Process

1. **Fetch the Backlog**
   ```bash
   linear issues list --team ENG
   ```

2. **Analyze Dependencies**
   ```bash
   linear deps --team ENG
   ```

3. **Identify Issues**
   Look for:
   - **Stale issues**: No updates in 30+ days
   - **Blocked issues**: Dependencies not resolved
   - **Priority mismatches**: High priority but blocked
   - **Orphaned issues**: No assignee, no activity

4. **Generate Recommendations**

## Analysis Framework

### Staleness Check
- Last updated > 30 days ago = Stale
- Last updated > 60 days ago = Very stale (consider closing)
- No activity + no assignee = Orphaned

### Dependency Health
- Blocked by completed issues = Unblock
- Circular dependencies = Flag for resolution
- Long blocking chains = Risk

### Priority Assessment
- P1/P2 but blocked = Escalate blocker
- P3/P4 with no activity = Consider closing
- No priority set = Needs triage

## 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%)
```

## Commands Used

```bash
# List all issues for a team
linear issues list --team ENG

# Check dependencies
linear deps --team ENG

# Update priority
linear issues update ENG-123 --priority 2

# Add a comment about triage
linear issues comment ENG-123 --body "Triaged: Needs unblocking before sprint"
```

## Discovery Commands (NEW)

Use search to discover triage-worthy issues:

```bash
# Find all blocked issues that need attention
linear search --has-blockers --state "In Progress" --team ENG

# Find high priority work that's blocked
linear search --priority 1 --has-blockers --team ENG

# Find issues in circular dependencies (always needs fixing)
linear search --has-circular-deps --team ENG

# Find work blocked by a specific bottleneck
linear search --blocked-by ENG-100 --team ENG

# Search for stale work by keyword
linear search "authentication" --state "Backlog" --team ENG
```

**Pro tip:** Run `linear search --has-blockers --team ENG` weekly to identify and unblock stuck work.

## Best Practices

1. **Regular cadence** - Triage weekly or bi-weekly
2. **Be decisive** - Close issues that won't be done
3. **Document reasoning** - Add comments explaining priority changes
4. **Involve stakeholders** - Flag issues needing product input