Reopening Tasks
Reopen completed tasks properly with time tracking and requirement documentation.
Announce at start: "I'm using the knowns.task.reopen skill to reopen task [ID]."
Core principle: DOCUMENT WHY THE TASK IS REOPENED.
The Process
Step 1: View Current Task State
{{#if mcp}}
json
mcp__knowns__get_task({ "taskId": "$ARGUMENTS" })
{{else}}
bash
knowns task $ARGUMENTS --plain
{{/if}}
Verify:
- •Task is currently
done - •Understand what was implemented
- •Review implementation notes
Step 2: Reopen and Start Timer
{{#if mcp}}
json
// Set back to in-progress
mcp__knowns__update_task({
"taskId": "$ARGUMENTS",
"status": "in-progress"
})
// Start timer (REQUIRED)
mcp__knowns__start_time({ "taskId": "$ARGUMENTS" })
{{else}}
bash
# Set back to in-progress knowns task edit $ARGUMENTS -s in-progress # Start timer (REQUIRED) knowns time start $ARGUMENTS
{{/if}}
Step 3: Document Reopen Reason
{{#if mcp}}
json
mcp__knowns__update_task({
"taskId": "$ARGUMENTS",
"appendNotes": "🔄 Reopened: <reason>"
})
{{else}}
bash
knowns task edit $ARGUMENTS --append-notes "🔄 Reopened: <reason>"
{{/if}}
Common reasons:
- •User requested changes
- •Bug found in implementation
- •New requirements added
- •Missed acceptance criteria
Step 4: Add New Requirements
{{#if mcp}}
json
mcp__knowns__update_task({
"taskId": "$ARGUMENTS",
"addAc": ["New requirement 1", "Fix: issue description"]
})
{{else}}
bash
# Add new acceptance criteria knowns task edit $ARGUMENTS --ac "New requirement 1" knowns task edit $ARGUMENTS --ac "Fix: issue description"
{{/if}}
Step 5: Update Plan (if needed)
{{#if mcp}}
json
mcp__knowns__update_task({
"taskId": "$ARGUMENTS",
"plan": "Previous plan + new steps:\n1. Original step (done)\n2. Original step (done)\n3. NEW: Address new requirement\n4. NEW: Fix reported issue"
})
{{else}}
bash
knowns task edit $ARGUMENTS --plan $'Previous plan + new steps: 1. Original step (done) 2. Original step (done) 3. NEW: Address new requirement 4. NEW: Fix reported issue'
{{/if}}
Present updated plan and WAIT for approval.
Step 6: Implement and Complete
Follow normal task completion flow:
{{#if mcp}}
json
// Check new ACs as completed
mcp__knowns__update_task({
"taskId": "$ARGUMENTS",
"checkAc": [<new-index>],
"appendNotes": "✓ Done: new requirement"
})
// Stop timer
mcp__knowns__stop_time({ "taskId": "$ARGUMENTS" })
// Mark done again
mcp__knowns__update_task({
"taskId": "$ARGUMENTS",
"status": "done"
})
{{else}}
bash
# Check new ACs as completed knowns task edit $ARGUMENTS --check-ac <new-index> knowns task edit $ARGUMENTS --append-notes "✓ Done: new requirement" # Stop timer knowns time stop # Mark done again knowns task edit $ARGUMENTS -s done
{{/if}}
When to Reopen vs Create New Task
| Reopen Existing | Create New Task |
|---|---|
| Small fix/change | Major new feature |
| Related to original work | Unrelated work |
| Same context needed | Different context |
| Quick addition | Significant scope |
Rule of thumb: If it takes < 30 mins and relates to original task, reopen. Otherwise, create new task with reference.
Creating Follow-up Task Instead
{{#if mcp}}
json
mcp__knowns__create_task({
"title": "Follow-up: <description>",
"description": "Related to @task-$ARGUMENTS"
})
{{else}}
bash
knowns task create "Follow-up: <description>" \ -d "Related to @task-$ARGUMENTS" \ --ac "New requirement"
{{/if}}
Remember
- •Always document reopen reason
- •Start timer when reopening
- •Add new AC for traceability
- •Stop timer when done
- •Consider if new task is more appropriate