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fix(backlog-manager): post comment before moving card to TODO #639

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Merged
zbigniewsobiecki merged 1 commit into from
Mar 7, 2026
Merged

fix(backlog-manager): post comment before moving card to TODO #639

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6 changes: 3 additions & 3 deletions src/agents/prompts/templates/backlog-manager.eta
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Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ When the active pipeline is empty:
- Smaller, self-contained <%= it.workItemNounPlural || 'cards' %> are preferred
- <%= it.workItemNounPluralCap || 'Cards' %> with clear acceptance criteria
- <%= it.workItemNounPluralCap || 'Cards' %> that don't reference incomplete work
5. **Move the selected <%= it.workItemNoun || 'card' %>** using `UpdateWorkItem` to change its status to TODO
6. **Post a comment** on the moved <%= it.workItemNoun || 'card' %> explaining the selection
5. **Post a comment** on the selected <%= it.workItemNoun || 'card' %> explaining the selection
6. **Move the selected <%= it.workItemNoun || 'card' %>** using `UpdateWorkItem` to change its status to TODO

## Comment Format

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -97,6 +97,6 @@ Manual intervention may be needed to unblock the backlog.
- EXIT SILENTLY if pipeline is not empty - do not post comments
- ALWAYS read <%= it.workItemNoun || 'card' %> contents before making a selection decision
- ALWAYS move exactly ONE <%= it.workItemNoun || 'card' %> per run
- ALWAYS post a comment on the moved <%= it.workItemNoun || 'card' %> explaining why it was selected
- ALWAYS post a comment BEFORE moving the <%= it.workItemNoun || 'card' %> — comment first, then move to TODO
- BE CONSERVATIVE with dependency detection - when unsure, treat as blocked
- LOOK FOR dependency keywords: "blocked by", "depends on", "waiting for", "after", "requires"
11 changes: 11 additions & 0 deletions tests/unit/agents/prompts.test.ts
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Expand Up @@ -190,6 +190,17 @@ describe('system prompts content', () => {
expect(prompt).toContain('card');
});

it('backlog-manager prompt posts comment before moving card', () => {
const prompt = getSystemPrompt('backlog-manager');
const commentStepIdx = prompt.indexOf('5. **Post a comment**');
const moveStepIdx = prompt.indexOf('6. **Move the selected');
expect(commentStepIdx).toBeGreaterThan(-1);
expect(moveStepIdx).toBeGreaterThan(-1);
expect(commentStepIdx).toBeLessThan(moveStepIdx);
// Rule reinforces the ordering
expect(prompt).toContain('comment BEFORE moving');
});

it('backlog-manager prompt renders custom PM terminology', () => {
const prompt = getSystemPrompt('backlog-manager', {
workItemNoun: 'issue',
Expand Down