Triage Skill - Backlog Analysis

Process

1. Setup

linear init  # if .linear.yaml doesn't exist

2. Fetch the backlog

linear issues list --state Backlog --format full --limit 100

Verify: confirm issues are returned before proceeding. If empty, check team context with linear init.

3. Analyze dependencies

linear deps --team ENG

4. Filter by priority and labels

# Urgent (P1)
linear issues list --state Backlog --priority 1 --format full

# High priority (P2)
linear issues list --state Backlog --priority 2 --format full

# Customer issues
linear issues list --labels customer --format full

# Bugs in backlog
linear issues list --state Backlog --labels bug --format full

# Combined filters
linear issues list --state Backlog --priority 1 --labels customer --format full

5. Identify issues

Flag issues matching these patterns:

Pattern	Criteria	Action
Stale	No updates 30+ days	Ping assignee or close
Very stale	No updates 60+ days	Close with comment
Blocked	Dependencies unresolved	Escalate blocker
Orphaned	No assignee + no activity	Assign or close
Priority mismatch	P1/P2 but blocked	Escalate the blocker first

Verify: cross-check flagged issues against dependency graph from step 3. Blocked issues with completed blockers should be unblocked immediately:

linear issues update ENG-123 --priority 2
linear issues comment ENG-123 --body "Triaged: Needs unblocking before sprint"

6. Generate report

Use this output format:

BACKLOG TRIAGE: Team ENG
════════════════════════════════════════

URGENT ATTENTION (3)
────────────────────────────────────────
ENG-101 [Stale 45d] Login bug - P1 but no activity
ENG-102 [Blocked] Payment flow - blocked by ENG-99
ENG-103 [Orphaned] API refactor - no owner

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
────────────────────────────────────────
1. Unblock ENG-102: Complete ENG-99 or remove dependency
2. Assign ENG-103: Needs owner or close if abandoned
3. Update ENG-101: Stale P1 needs attention

HEALTH SUMMARY
────────────────────────────────────────
Total issues: 45
Blocked: 8 (17%)
Stale: 12 (26%)
Healthy: 25 (55%)

Verify: confirm every recommended action references a real issue ID from the fetched data.

References

• Analysis framework — staleness thresholds, dependency health rules, priority assessment criteria