backlog-resume

Backlog Resume

This skill checks for in-progress work when starting a new session, implementing the "hook pattern" from gastown - if there's work on your hook, you should run it.

Prerequisites

Before triggering, check that backlog.org exists in the project root.

If backlog.org does not exist, do NOT trigger this skill. The project hasn't been set up with the backlog system yet. Silently skip - don't suggest setup or explain why the skill isn't running.

When to Offer This Workflow

Trigger conditions:

• backlog.org exists in the project root, AND
• Starting a new session in a project with backlog.org
• User asks "what was I working on?", "resume", "continue"
• User says "where did I leave off?"

Initial check: Read backlog.org and look for WIP tasks in the Active section.

Workflow

1. Check for WIP Tasks

Read * Current WIP > ** Active section in backlog.org.

Look for tasks with state WIP (work in progress).

2. Surface Handoff Notes and Claude Task State

For each WIP task found:

• Read the :HANDOFF: property
• Read recent progress notes (entries starting with [YYYY-MM-DD])
• Check for :CLAUDE_TASK: property

If :CLAUDE_TASK: exists:

• Note the Task List ID for cross-session coordination
• Check if there are related Tasks or dependencies
• This task has agent coordination enabled

3. Present Resume Option

If WIP task(s) found, display:

## Work in Progress

Found active work from previous session:

### [TASK-ID] Task Title

**Handoff notes:**
> <content of :HANDOFF: property>

**Recent progress:**
> <last progress note>

**Claude Task:** <task-list-id>/<task-id> (if present)

Continue working on this task?

The Claude Task link (if present) enables cross-session coordination. Follow the link to check for any updates from subagents or other sessions.

4. Quick Consistency Check

While reviewing backlog.org, perform a lightweight consistency check:

Stale entries:

• If any tasks show *** DONE in backlog.org, they should have been removed
• Suggest: "Found completed task [ID] still in backlog. Remove it?"

Design doc drift:

• For WIP/TODO tasks with :DESIGN: links, spot-check the source doc
• If the source doc shows the task as ** DONE but backlog shows TODO/WIP:
  • Suggest removing the stale backlog entry
• If the design doc #+STATUS: is Complete but tasks are still in backlog:
  • Suggest running /reconcile-backlog to clean up

This catches drift early without running a full reconciliation.

5. If No WIP Tasks

Check if there are TODO tasks in Active section:

## Ready to Start

No work in progress. Active queue:

1. [TASK-ID-1] Task title
2. [TASK-ID-2] Task title

Start one of these tasks?

6. Handle Response

• If user wants to continue: Run /task-start <task-id>
• If user wants different task: Queue or start the requested task
• If user declines: Proceed with whatever they want to do

Example

User: <starts session>

Claude: "Checking backlog.org for in-progress work...

## Work in Progress

Found active work from previous session:

### [DAB-005-01] Implement handoff notes

**Handoff notes:**
> Stuck on property format. Check org-mode docs for multi-line properties.

**Recent progress:**
> [2026-01-03] Started implementation. Template updated.

Continue working on this task?"

Related Commands

Command	When to use
/task-start <id>	Resume the WIP task
/task-queue <id>	Add a new task to Active
/task-hold <id> <reason>	If task is blocked