GitHub Issue Conventions
This project uses a hierarchical issue tracking system with three levels: Roadmaps, Meta-issues, and Sub-issues.
Issue Hierarchy
1. Roadmap Issues (Top Level)
Track overall component development progress.
Fixed Roadmap Numbers: {{ROADMAP_LIST}}
Structure:
Master tracking issue for [Component] development. ### Phase 1: [Phase Name] - [ ] #74 - [ ] #80 - [ ] #81 ### Phase 2: [Phase Name] - [ ] #76 - [ ] #77 ### Phase 3: [Phase Name] - [ ] #78 - [ ] #79
Labels:
- •
type: roadmap{{LABEL_RULES}}
Issue Reference Format:
- •Use ONLY issue numbers:
- [ ] #74 - •Do NOT include titles:
- [ ] #74 [PREFIX]-AUTH: Authentication System - •GitHub auto-renders titles when you use
#NUMBER
2. Meta-Issues (Middle Level)
Group related sub-issues for a system or feature.
Naming Pattern:
[COMPONENT]-[SYSTEM]: [System Name] Tracking
Examples:
- •
API-AUTH: Authentication System Tracking - •
WEB-UI: User Interface Tracking
Component Prefixes: {{PREFIX_LIST}}
Structure (< 5 sub-issues):
### Tasks - [ ] #10 - [ ] #11 - [ ] #12
Structure (5+ sub-issues):
Master tracking issue for [System] development. ### Dependencies - #XX - Phase N must be complete ### Phase 1: [Phase Name] - [ ] #10 - [ ] #11 ### Phase 2: [Phase Name] - [ ] #12 - [ ] #13
Labels:
- •
type: feature{{LABEL_RULES}} - •
priority: high(Phase 1),priority: medium(Phase 2+)
Dependencies Section Rules:
- •Optional - only add if dependencies exist
- •Reference other meta-issues
- •Specify phase if only specific phase needed
- •Format:
- #XX - Phase N must be complete
Issue Reference Format:
- •Use ONLY issue numbers:
- [ ] #155 - •Do NOT include titles:
- [ ] #155 [PREFIX]-ACC-001: Implement Password - •GitHub auto-renders titles automatically
3. Sub-Issues (Lowest Level)
Individual implementation tasks.
Naming Pattern:
[COMPONENT]-[SYSTEM]-[NNN]: [Action] [Target]
Examples:
- •
API-AUTH-001: Implement guest registration - •
WEB-UI-001: Create login screen component
Numbering:
- •NNN = 001, 002, 003... (sequential within system)
- •Never reuse numbers
- •Start at 001 for each new system
Structure (REQUIRED):
## Description [1-3 sentences explaining what needs to be implemented] ### Requirements - [ ] [Specific, testable requirement 1] - [ ] [Specific, testable requirement 2] - [ ] [Specific, testable requirement 3] ### Technical Notes - [Implementation detail or constraint] - [Dependency on other sub-issue] - [Reference to existing pattern]
Labels:
- •
type: enhancement{{LABEL_RULES}} - •
priority: [high/medium/low](based on phase)
Labels Reference
Area (Required): {{LABEL_RULES}}
Type (Required):
- •
type: roadmap- Roadmap tracking issues - •
type: feature- Meta-issue tracking - •
type: enhancement- Sub-issue implementation - •
type: bug- Bug fixes - •
type: chore- Maintenance tasks - •
type: documentation- Documentation updates
Priority (Auto-assigned by phase):
- •
priority: critical- Blocking issues - •
priority: high- Phase 1 items - •
priority: medium- Phase 2 items - •
priority: low- Phase 3+ items
Size (Optional):
- •
size: s- Small (< 4 hours) - •
size: m- Medium (1-2 days) - •
size: l- Large (3+ days)
Workflow Rules
Creating Issues
- •Sub-issues first - Create all sub-issues to get their numbers
- •Meta-issue second - Reference sub-issue numbers in Tasks checklist (ONLY numbers, no titles)
- •Update roadmap last - Add meta-issue number to roadmap (ONLY number, no title)
Working on Issues
- •Sequential order - Work through sub-issues in order listed
- •Complete ALL requirements - Implement everything before checking boxes
- •One sub-issue at a time - Finish completely before moving to next
- •Check ALL requirement boxes - Update sub-issue body to check all Requirements
- •Ask before closing - Always ask about refactoring before closing
Completing Sub-issues (CRITICAL ORDER)
Follow this exact sequence:
- •Implement all requirements - Complete all work first
- •Check ALL boxes in sub-issue Requirements section
- •Use
github_issue_writeto update the sub-issue body - •Change
- [ ]to- [x]for EVERY requirement - •This is MANDATORY - never skip this step
- •Use
- •Ask about refactoring - Give user chance to improve code
- •Close the sub-issue - Set state to closed
- •Check box in meta-issue Tasks checklist - Update meta-issue to mark sub-issue complete
Common Mistake to Avoid:
- •❌ Closing sub-issue without checking Requirements boxes first
- •✅ Always check Requirements boxes BEFORE closing
Multi-component Work
- •Execution Order - Always work in this order: {{EXECUTION_FLOW}}
- •Pass context - Summarize changes from one component for the next
- •Sequential completion - Finish one component fully before next
Issue Reference Format
CRITICAL RULE: When referencing issues ANYWHERE in GitHub:
✅ CORRECT:
### Tasks - [ ] #155 - [ ] #156 ### Dependencies - #74 - Phase 1 must be complete ### Phase 1: Core - [ ] #10 - [ ] #11
❌ INCORRECT:
### Tasks - [ ] #155 [PREFIX]-ACC-001: Implement Change Password - [ ] #156 [PREFIX]-ACC-002: Implement Admin Delete Account ### Dependencies - #74 ([PREFIX]-AUTH: Authentication System) - Phase 1 must be complete
Why:
- •GitHub automatically renders issue titles when you reference
#NUMBER - •Including titles creates duplicate rendering: "Title #123 Title"
- •Shorter references are cleaner and easier to maintain
Applies to:
- •Roadmap checklists
- •Meta-issue Tasks checklists
- •Meta-issue Dependencies sections
- •Any cross-references between issues
- •Sub-issue Technical Notes
System Naming Guidelines
Define 3-4 letter uppercase abbreviations for your systems. Document them in your component context skills or project README.
Examples:
- •
AUTH- Authentication - •
PAY- Payments - •
UI- User Interface - •
API- API Routes
Phase Naming Conventions
Use descriptive phase names that indicate progression:
Common Phase Patterns:
- •Phase 1: Core Foundation / Core Systems / Data Structures
- •Phase 2: World & Network / Advanced Mechanics / Integration
- •Phase 3: Gameplay Systems / Advanced Features / Polish
- •Phase 4: Social & Advanced / Optimization / Edge Cases
Choose names that fit the system being built.
Dependency Management
Meta-issue Dependencies:
- •List other meta-issues that must be complete (or specific phases)
- •Update roadmap order if dependencies change
- •Example: Crafting depends on Inventory Phase 1
- •Format:
- #XX - Phase N must be complete(ONLY issue number)
Sub-issue Dependencies:
- •Note in Technical Notes section
- •Reference specific sub-issues if needed
- •Example: "Requires #10 completion" (ONLY issue number)
Quick Reference
Issue Naming:
- •Roadmap:
[Tracking] [Component] Development Roadmap - •Meta:
[PREFIX]-[SYSTEM]: [Name] Tracking - •Sub:
[PREFIX]-[SYSTEM]-[NNN]: [Action] [Target]
When to use Phases in Meta-issues:
- •2-3 sub-issues → Flat Tasks list
- •5+ sub-issues → Group into Phases
Label Combos:
- •Roadmap:
type: roadmap+area: [component] - •Meta:
type: feature+area: [component]+priority: high - •Sub:
type: enhancement+area: [component]+priority: [varies]
Execution Order:
- •{{EXECUTION_FLOW}} (always)
- •Phase 1 → Phase 2 → Phase 3 (in roadmaps)
- •Top → Bottom (in task lists)
Completion Order (Sub-issues):
- •Implement all requirements
- •Check ALL boxes in sub-issue Requirements
- •Ask about refactoring
- •Close sub-issue
- •Check box in meta-issue Tasks
Issue References:
- •Always use:
#123 - •Never use:
#123 Title