PRD to Issues

Break a PRD into independently-grabbable issues using vertical slices (tracer bullets), written as local markdown files.

Process

1. Locate the PRD

Ask the user for the PRD file path (e.g. issues/prd.md).

If the PRD is not already in your context window, read it from the file.

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 PRD 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 from the PRD this addresses

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 issue files

For each approved slice, write a markdown file in issues/ using the naming pattern issues/NNN-short-title.md (e.g. issues/001-add-user-auth.md).

Number issues starting from the next available number (check what files already exist in issues/).

Create files in dependency order (blockers first) so you can reference real filenames in the "Blocked by" field.

Do NOT use gh issue create or any GitHub CLI commands. Do NOT reference GitHub issue numbers. Use local filenames for all cross-references.

<issue-template>

Parent PRD

issues/prd.md (or whichever PRD file was used)

What to build

A concise description of this vertical slice. Describe the end-to-end behavior, not layer-by-layer implementation. Reference specific sections of the parent PRD rather than duplicating content.

Acceptance criteria

• Criterion 1
• Criterion 2
• Criterion 3

Blocked by

• Blocked by issues/NNN-title.md (if any)

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

User stories addressed

Reference by number from the parent PRD:

• User story 3
• User story 7

</issue-template>

Do NOT close or modify the parent PRD file.