Executing Tickets
Overview
Work through tickets from tk ready, implementing each one following TDD. Each ticket is a self-contained unit of work with all context needed.
Announce at start: "I'm using the executing-tickets skill to implement tickets."
Context: Run in the worktree where tickets were created.
Workflow
1. Get Next Ticket
bash
tk ready
Pick the highest priority ticket (or ask user if multiple options).
2. Start Work
bash
tk start <id> tk show <id>
Read the ticket thoroughly. Understand:
- •Files to create/modify
- •Steps to follow
- •Acceptance criteria
3. Execute Steps
Follow the ticket's steps exactly. Typical TDD flow:
- •Write failing test - Copy test code from ticket
- •Run test - Verify it fails as expected
- •Implement - Write minimal code to pass
- •Run test - Verify it passes
- •Commit - Use commit message from ticket or derive from task
4. Verify Acceptance Criteria
Before closing, check every acceptance criterion:
- • All tests pass
- • Code follows project patterns
- • No regressions (run full test suite if ticket impacts shared code)
5. Close Ticket
bash
tk close <id>
Add notes if needed:
bash
tk add-note <id> "Deviated from plan: used X instead of Y because..." tk add-note <id> "Found issue: created follow-up ticket for Z"
6. Repeat
bash
tk ready
Continue until no tickets ready or user stops.
Handling Blockers
If stuck on a ticket:
bash
# Check what's blocking tk blocked # If missing dependency, work on blocker first tk show <blocker-id> # If unclear requirements, ask user # If bug in plan, add note and ask user tk add-note <id> "Blocked: [reason]"
Creating Follow-up Tickets
If you discover additional work needed:
bash
tk create "Fix edge case discovered in X" --type=bug --priority=1 tk dep <new-id> <current-epic-id> tk add-note <current-id> "Created follow-up: <new-id>"
Code Review Checkpoints
After each ticket:
- •Review diff:
git diff HEAD~1 - •Run linter/formatter
- •Run relevant tests
- •Sanity check: does this actually solve the ticket?
If issues found, fix before moving to next ticket.
Commands Reference
bash
tk ready # next workable tickets tk start <id> # mark in_progress tk show <id> # view ticket details tk close <id> # mark done tk add-note <id> "..." # append note tk blocked # view blocked tickets tk dep tree <epic-id> # see overall progress tk ls --status=in_progress # what's currently active
Remember
- •One ticket at a time
- •Follow steps exactly (they contain tested code)
- •Commit after each ticket
- •Don't skip acceptance criteria
- •Add notes for deviations or discoveries
- •Ask user if unclear, don't guess