Agent Backlog

A plugin for Claude Code and GitHub Copilot CLI for managing agent task backlogs with a kanban UI.

Features

• 11 MCP Tools — CRUD, checklists, dependencies, comments, and search
• Optimistic Locking — Version-based conflict detection for concurrent agent access
• Project Aware — Auto-detects git root (worktree-safe), stores .backlog.db per project
• Team Mode — Optional central API server with per-project API keys for shared backlogs
• Kanban UI — Central web UI at http://localhost:3456 with project selector and live updates via SSE
• Leader Election — MCP server instances coordinate to run a single UI; automatic failover on crash
• Slash Commands — /backlog, /backlog-create, /backlog-next
• 4 Agents — Task Planner, Backlog Groomer, Task Implementer, and Scope Analyzer
• Backlog Manager Skill — Automatically activates when discussing tasks or backlog

Getting Started

Choose the guide for your client:

• Claude Code → — installation, hooks, MCP config
• GitHub Copilot CLI → — installation, hooks, MCP config
• API Server (Team Mode) → — central server setup, REST endpoints, CLI commands

Reference

• MCP Tools → — full tool reference with version/locking notes
• Architecture & Configuration → — how local mode works, env vars, kanban UI

Project Structure

AgentBacklog/
├── docs/
│ ├── claude-code.md # Claude Code setup guide
│ ├── copilot-cli.md # GitHub Copilot CLI setup guide
│ ├── api-server/ # Team mode / API server guide
│ │ ├── README.md # Overview, setup, CLI commands, config
│ │ ├── items.md # List, get, create, update items
│ │ ├── search.md # Keyword search
│ │ ├── checklist.md # Checklist add/update/delete
│ │ ├── comments.md # Append comments
│ │ ├── dependencies.md # Add/remove dependency edges
│ │ ├── events.md # SSE live updates
│ │ ├── projects.md # Admin project listing
│ │ └── health.md # Health check
│ ├── mcp-tools.md # MCP tools reference
│ └── architecture.md # Local mode architecture & configuration
├── .claude-plugin/
│ └── marketplace.json # Marketplace manifest
└── plugins/
└── agent-backlog/ # Plugin root
├── plugin.json # Copilot CLI manifest
├── .claude-plugin/
│ └── plugin.json # Claude Code manifest
├── .mcp.json # MCP server config (Claude Code)
├── copilot-mcp.json # MCP server config (Copilot CLI)
├── hooks/
│ ├── hooks.json # SessionStart hook (Claude Code)
│ └── copilot-hooks.json # sessionStart hook (Copilot CLI)
├── agents/
│ ├── backlog-groomer.md # Backlog health and maintenance agent
│ ├── scope-analyzer.md # Pre-work impact analysis agent
│ ├── task-implementer.md # Task execution agent
│ └── task-planner.md # Codebase-aware task planning agent
├── commands/
│ ├── backlog.md # /backlog command
│ ├── backlog-create.md # /backlog-create command
│ └── backlog-next.md # /backlog-next command
├── skills/
│ └── backlog-manager/
│ └── SKILL.md # Auto-triggered backlog skill
└── mcp/
├── db.js # SQLite database, registry, leader election
├── server.js # MCP server (stdio)
├── ui.js # Kanban UI server (HTTP)
├── api-server.js # Central API server for team mode
├── store.js # Store factory (local vs remote)
├── store-local.js # LocalStore — SQLite via db.js
├── store-remote.js # RemoteStore — HTTP client for API server
├── kanban.html # Kanban board SPA
└── package.json

Development

Claude Code

Run with the local plugin (no install needed):

claude --plugin-dir ./plugins/agent-backlog/

GitHub Copilot CLI

Switch to the local plugin:

copilot plugin uninstall agent-backlog@sourecode-backlog
copilot plugin install ./plugins/agent-backlog/
pushd~/.copilot/installed-plugins/_direct/agent-backlog/mcp && npm install &&popd

Update plugin:

copilot plugin uninstall agent-backlog
copilot plugin install ./plugins/agent-backlog/
pushd~/.copilot/installed-plugins/_direct/agent-backlog/mcp && npm install &&popd