feat(agents): add GitHub backlog management pipeline #448
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Dependency Review✅ No vulnerabilities or license issues or OpenSSF Scorecard issues found.Scanned FilesNone |
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@katriendg @agreaves-ms — Would appreciate your perspective on this pipeline ... this is what I've been using to do backlog management for hve-core, edge-ai, and robotics. Key areas where input would be valuable:
This mirrors the ADO pipeline architecture — feedback from that experience would help shape the GitHub-native adaptation. |
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Pull request overview
Adds a GitHub-native backlog management pipeline (orchestrator agent + prompts + instructions) to mirror the existing ADO planning/execution architecture, and deprecates the legacy github-issue-manager agent in favor of a multi-stage workflow (triage, discovery, sprint planning, execution).
Changes:
- Introduces the
github-backlog-managerorchestrator agent and four workflow entry-point prompts (triage, discovery, sprint planning, execution). - Adds a P0 planning reference specification plus workflow-specific instructions (triage/discovery/update) and community interaction templates.
- Updates extension/docs/manifests to reference the new agent and fixes the
github-add-issueprompt to usemcp_github_issue_write.
Reviewed changes
Copilot reviewed 19 out of 19 changed files in this pull request and generated 3 comments.
Show a summary per file
| File | Description |
|---|---|
| .github/agents/github-backlog-manager.agent.md | New orchestrator that classifies intent and dispatches to backlog workflow prompts |
| .github/instructions/github-backlog-planning.instructions.md | P0 reference spec for templates, tool catalog, directory conventions, and autonomy model |
| .github/instructions/github-backlog-triage.instructions.md | Triage workflow spec (labels/milestones/duplicate detection) producing triage plans |
| .github/instructions/github-backlog-discovery.instructions.md | Discovery workflow spec supporting user-centric, artifact-driven, and search-based modes |
| .github/instructions/github-backlog-update.instructions.md | Batch execution spec for handoff-driven issue mutations with resumable logs |
| .github/instructions/community-interaction.instructions.md | Community-facing comment tone + scenario templates for GitHub-visible interactions |
| .github/prompts/github-triage-issues.prompt.md | Entry prompt for triaging needs-triage issues into a reviewable plan |
| .github/prompts/github-discover-issues.prompt.md | Entry prompt for discovery across the three supported discovery paths |
| .github/prompts/github-execute-backlog.prompt.md | Entry prompt for executing handoff plans (create/update/link/close/comment) |
| .github/prompts/github-sprint-plan.prompt.md | Entry prompt for milestone sprint planning + optional execution |
| .github/prompts/github-add-issue.prompt.md | Refactored standalone issue creation prompt; fixes tool name to mcp_github_issue_write |
| .github/agents/github-issue-manager.agent.md | Deprecated legacy agent with migration notice |
| .github/CUSTOM-AGENTS.md | Updates agent catalog/docs to reference the new backlog manager |
| .github/agents/hve-core-installer.agent.md | Updates installer copy and agent listings to include the new backlog manager |
| .github/instructions/writing-style.instructions.md | Adds community interaction guidance references and table updates |
| docs/getting-started/install.md | Updates getting-started references to the new GitHub agent |
| docs/getting-started/mcp-configuration.md | Updates MCP dependency table for the new GitHub agent |
| extension/README.md | Updates extension agent listing to github-backlog-manager |
| extension/package.json | Regenerates extension manifest to include new agent/prompts/instructions |
Codecov Report✅ All modified and coverable lines are covered by tests. Additional details and impacted files@@ Coverage Diff @@
## main #448 +/- ##
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Coverage 76.22% 76.22%
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Files 20 20
Lines 3503 3503
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Hits 2670 2670
Misses 833 833
Flags with carried forward coverage won't be shown. Click here to find out more. 🚀 New features to boost your workflow:
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- add 4 instructions, 4 prompts, 1 agent for TPM-focused backlog management - fix mcp_github_create_issue tool reference in github-add-issue.prompt.md - add community-interaction.instructions.md and update writing-style registry - regenerate extension/package.json to register all new artifacts 🤖 Generated by Copilot
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…ption 🔧 - Generated by Copilot
…unity interaction - align tracking path table with planning spec scope conventions - remove opaque Decision D1 policy exemption note - remove undocumented pull_request_review_write tool reference 🔧 - Generated by Copilot
…ackaging - add extension:prepare:prerelease and extension:package:prerelease npm scripts - update PACKAGING.md with prerelease commands in prepare, package, and pre-release sections 📦 - Generated by Copilot
…lassified issues - add Comment operation to planning handoff template and field matrix - retain needs-triage on unclassified issues across all autonomy tiers - create planning folder for all discovery paths, not just Path B - update execution priority to include Comment after Close 🏷️ - Generated by Copilot
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20 tasks
…nteraction templates - set stale issue closure period to 74 days (60-day stale + 14-day grace) - set stale PR closure period to 21 days (14-day stale + 7-day grace) 🔧 - Generated by Copilot
- change handoff prompt values from filenames to slash commands - fix template blockquote links to use absolute URLs with owner/repo vars - add execution as a valid planning type in backlog planning spec 🔧 - Generated by Copilot
WilliamBerryiii
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## Description Defines inactivity closure policies for issues, discussions, and pull requests to reduce noise from stale items. **Issue and discussion policy** (GOVERNANCE.md) — Issues inactive for 60 days receive a `stale` label and warning comment. If no activity follows within 14 days (74 days total), the issue is closed as `not_planned` with a `closed-stale` label. Exemptions: `pinned`, `security`, `do-not-close`, and milestone-assigned issues. Discussions follow the same thresholds with manual enforcement until tooling supports automation. **Pull request policy** (CONTRIBUTING.md) — Active PRs waiting on the author for 14 days receive a `stale` label. If no author activity follows within 7 days (21 days total), the PR is closed. Draft PRs are fully exempt. Additional exemptions: `do-not-close` and `waiting-on-reviewer` labels. ### Policy Summary | Scope | Stale After | Grace Period | Total | Exemptions | | :---- | :---------- | :----------- | :---- | :--------- | | Issues | 60 days | 14 days | 74 days | `pinned`, `security`, `do-not-close`, milestone-assigned | | Discussions | 60 days | 14 days | 74 days | Same as issues (manual enforcement) | | Active PRs | 14 days | 7 days | 21 days | draft, `do-not-close`, `waiting-on-reviewer` | Six supporting labels have been pre-created on the repository: `stale`, `closed-stale`, `do-not-close`, `pinned`, `waiting-on-author`, `waiting-on-reviewer`. ## Related Issue(s) - Closes #442 - Closes #443 ## Type of Change ### Code & Documentation - [ ] Bug fix (non-breaking change that fixes an issue) - [ ] New feature (non-breaking change that adds functionality) - [x] Documentation update - [ ] Breaking change (fix or feature that would cause existing functionality to change) ### Infrastructure - [ ] CI/CD pipeline changes - [ ] Build system changes - [ ] Configuration changes ### AI Artifacts - [ ] Copilot instructions (`.instructions.md`) - [ ] Copilot prompt (`.prompt.md`) - [ ] Copilot agent (`.agent.md`) - [ ] Skill package (`SKILL.md`) ### Other - [ ] Refactoring (no functional changes) - [ ] Performance improvement - [ ] Test changes only ## Testing - Verified cross-references between GOVERNANCE.md and CONTRIBUTING.md resolve correctly - Confirmed 6 GitHub labels exist on the repository - Markdown linting passes ## Checklist ### Required Checks - [x] I have read the [CONTRIBUTING](../CONTRIBUTING.md) document - [x] My changes follow the project coding standards - [x] I have updated documentation accordingly - [x] All new and existing linting checks pass ### Required Automated Checks - [x] Markdown linting: `npm run lint:md` - [x] Frontmatter validation: `npm run lint:frontmatter` ## Security Considerations - No secrets, tokens, or credentials introduced - No new dependencies added - No changes to CI/CD workflows or GitHub Actions - All changes are documentation only ## Additional Notes This PR is intentionally scoped to the governance and contributor documentation changes for inactivity policies. The community interaction message templates (Scenario 10 and 11 time-period values) are tracked separately alongside the backlog management pipeline in PR #448.
agreaves-ms
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Feb 10, 2026
…anagement-tooling
…og instructions
- remove Inputs sections from discovery, triage, and update instructions
- replace body `${input:}` references with plain parameter names
- align update instructions to use `handoff` matching prompt canonical name
🔧 - Generated by Copilot
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Description
Introduces a complete TPM-focused GitHub backlog management pipeline — 1 orchestrator agent, 5 instructions (including P0 reference specification), and 4 entry-point prompts — mirroring the ADO tooling pipeline architecture with GitHub-native MCP tools. Replaces and deprecates the single-purpose
github-issue-manageragent with a four-stage workflow covering triage, discovery, sprint planning, and batch execution.Also fixes a bug in
github-add-issue.prompt.mdwhere the prompt referenced non-existentmcp_github_create_issue(correct tool:mcp_github_issue_write).Architecture
Instructions-first pipeline parallels the ADO tooling suite:
Key design decisions:
github-backlog-planning.instructions.mddefines planning file templates, MCP tool catalog, search protocols, similarity assessment matrix, state persistence, and the three-tier autonomy model. All workflow instructions cross-reference this specification.New Artifacts (10 files)
github-backlog-manager.agent.mdgithub-backlog-planning.instructions.mdgithub-backlog-triage.instructions.mdgithub-backlog-discovery.instructions.mdgithub-backlog-update.instructions.mdcommunity-interaction.instructions.mdgithub-triage-issues.prompt.mdgithub-discover-issues.prompt.mdgithub-execute-backlog.prompt.mdgithub-sprint-plan.prompt.mdModified Files (9)
github-add-issue.prompt.mdmcp_github_create_issue→mcp_github_issue_write; rewritten 304→86 lines; maturity→experimentalgithub-issue-manager.agent.md[!CAUTION]migration noticeCUSTOM-AGENTS.mdgithub-issue-manager→github-backlog-managerhve-core-installer.agent.mdwriting-style.instructions.mddocs/getting-started/install.mddocs/getting-started/mcp-configuration.mdextension/README.mdextension/package.jsonRelated Issue(s)
Closes #447
Type of Change
Select all that apply:
Code & Documentation:
Infrastructure & Configuration:
AI Artifacts:
prompt-builderagent and addressed all feedback.github/instructions/*.instructions.md).github/prompts/*.prompt.md).github/agents/*.agent.md).github/skills/*/SKILL.md)Other:
.ps1,.sh,.py)Sample Prompts (for AI Artifact Contributions)
Triage Workflow
User Request:
Execution Flow:
github-triage-issues.prompt.mdgithub-backlog-triage.instructions.md+ planning specificationmcp_github_list_issuestriage-plan.mdunder.copilot-tracking/github-issues/triage/Output Artifacts:
Success Indicators:
.copilot-tracking/github-issues/Discovery Workflow
User Request:
Execution Flow:
github-discover-issues.prompt.mdmcp_github_search_issuesfor overlapissues-plan.mdwith new issues to create and existing ones to updateSuccess Indicators:
Testing
All 6 validators passed clean on committed artifacts:
npm run format:tablesnpm run lint:frontmatternpm run lint:mdnpm run spell-checknpm run lint:md-linksnpm run extension:prepareChecklist
Required Checks
AI Artifact Contributions
/prompt-analyzeto review contributionprompt-builderreviewRequired Automated Checks
The following validation commands must pass before merging:
npm run lint:mdnpm run spell-checknpm run lint:frontmatternpm run lint:md-linksnpm run lint:psSecurity Considerations
No new dependencies introduced. No authentication or secret changes. All artifacts are declarative markdown — no executable code added.
Additional Notes
Branch Drift
This branch is based on commit
25b34dewhich predates several changes now onmain(version rollback 2.2.0→2.1.0, deletedincident-response.prompt.md,rca-template.md,copyright-headers.yml). The PR diff shows 14 additional files not part of this feature work. A rebase onto currentmainbefore merge will isolate the feature delta to the 19 files listed above.Design Rationale
The instructions-first architecture follows the proven ADO pipeline pattern where a single P0 reference specification (758 lines) defines all shared conventions and specialized workflow instructions cross-reference rather than duplicate. Each prompt file stays focused (<130 lines) while the orchestrator agent handles intent classification and routing.