Skill Introduction

Overview

Break a plan, spec, or PRD into independently-grabbable GitHub issues using tracer-bullet vertical slices. Use when user wants to convert a plan into issues, create implementation tickets, or break down work into issues.

Core value

Turns reusable Testing know-how into an installable skill, helping users complete github, community work faster.

Target users

Developers, testers, and maintainers who handle Testing tasks in Focus Code.
Teams that already trust workflows or content from mattpocock.
Users who want standardized prompts, steps, or conventions instead of repeating setup work.

Best practices

Read the skill content first to confirm required inputs, expected outputs, and dependencies.
Try it on a small task before relying on it for critical work.
Add project-specific constraints such as coding style, target platform, test expectations, and delivery format.
For external sources, verify the source link, version, and recent maintenance activity.

Best use cases

Tasks related to github, community that need a reusable execution flow.
Converting a community repo, team convention, or personal workflow into day-to-day assistance.
Starting from a proven skill instead of writing prompts or procedures from scratch.

Limits and boundaries

Results depend on the quality of the original skill content and may need human correction.
It does not replace code review, tests, security review, or professional judgment.
External tools, APIs, account permissions, and local dependencies still need separate setup.

Differentiation

Structured around Testing, making it easier to discover and reuse than loose prompt snippets.
Marked as GitHub, which helps users judge trust and maintenance expectations.
Keeps the original source link available for repository, documentation, or discussion follow-up.
Tagged with github, community, so it can be filtered by concrete task intent.

Install and use

Install

Copy Install Command

focus install to-issues-06d14c

View source

Detail Preview

SKILL.md

Primary filemarkdown3 KB

name: to-issues description: Break a plan, spec, or PRD into independently-grabbable GitHub issues using tracer-bullet vertical slices. Use when 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 GitHub issues using vertical slices (tracer bullets).

Process

1. Gather context

Work from whatever is already in the conversation context. If the user passes a GitHub issue number or URL as an argument, fetch it with gh issue view <number> (with comments).

2. Explore the codebase (optional)

If you have not already explored the codebase, do so to understand the current state of the code.

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.

<vertical-slice-rules> - 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 </vertical-slice-rules>

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. Create the GitHub issues

For each approved slice, create a GitHub issue using gh issue create. Use the issue body template below.

Create issues in dependency order (blockers first) so you can reference real issue numbers in the "Blocked by" field.

<issue-template> ## Parent

#<parent-issue-number> (if the source was a GitHub 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.

Acceptance criteria

Criterion 1
Criterion 2
Criterion 3

Blocked by

Blocked by #<issue-number> (if any)

Or "None - can start immediately" if no blockers.

</issue-template>

Do NOT close or modify any parent issue.

to issues