beads/examples/claude-code-skill/references/BOUNDARIES.md

Boundaries: When to Use bd vs TodoWrite

This reference provides detailed decision criteria for choosing between bd issue tracking and TodoWrite for task management.

Contents

• The Core Question
• Decision Matrix
  • Use bd for: Multi-Session Work, Complex Dependencies, Knowledge Work, Side Quests, Project Memory
  • Use TodoWrite for: Single-Session Tasks, Linear Execution, Immediate Context, Simple Tracking
• Detailed Comparison
• Integration Patterns
  • Pattern 1: bd as Strategic, TodoWrite as Tactical
  • Pattern 2: TodoWrite as Working Copy of bd
  • Pattern 3: Transition Mid-Session
• Real-World Examples
  • Strategic Document Development, Simple Feature Implementation, Bug Investigation, Refactoring with Dependencies
• Common Mistakes
  • Using TodoWrite for multi-session work, using bd for simple tasks, not transitioning when complexity emerges, creating too many bd issues, never using bd
• The Transition Point
• Summary Heuristics

The Core Question

"Could I resume this work after 2 weeks away?"

• If bd would help you resume → use bd
• If markdown skim would suffice → TodoWrite is fine

This heuristic captures the essential difference: bd provides structured context that persists across long gaps, while TodoWrite excels at immediate session tracking.

Decision Matrix

Use bd for:

Multi-Session Work

Work spanning multiple compaction cycles or days where context needs to persist.

Examples:

• Strategic document development requiring research across multiple sessions
• Feature implementation split across several coding sessions
• Bug investigation requiring experimentation over time
• Architecture design evolving through multiple iterations

Why bd wins: Issues capture context that survives compaction. Return weeks later and see full history, design decisions, and current status.

Complex Dependencies

Work with blockers, prerequisites, or hierarchical structure.

Examples:

• OAuth integration requiring database setup, endpoint creation, and frontend changes
• Research project with multiple parallel investigation threads
• Refactoring with dependencies between different code areas
• Migration requiring sequential steps in specific order

Why bd wins: Dependency graph shows what's blocking what. bd ready automatically surfaces unblocked work. No manual tracking required.

Knowledge Work

Tasks with fuzzy boundaries, exploration, or strategic thinking.

Examples:

• Policy proposal requiring stakeholder analysis and evidence gathering
• API design requiring research into multiple options
• Performance optimization requiring measurement and experimentation
• Documentation requiring understanding system architecture

Why bd wins: design and acceptance_criteria fields capture evolving understanding. Issues can be refined as exploration reveals more information.

Side Quests

Exploratory work that might pause the main task.

Examples:

• During feature work, discover a better pattern worth exploring
• While debugging, notice related architectural issue
• During code review, identify potential improvement
• While writing tests, find edge case requiring research

Why bd wins: Create issue with discovered-from dependency, pause main work safely. Context preserved for both tracks. Resume either one later.

Project Memory

Need to resume work after significant time with full context.

Examples:

• Open source contributions across months
• Part-time projects with irregular schedule
• Complex features split across sprints
• Research projects with long investigation periods

Why bd wins: Git-backed database persists indefinitely. All context, decisions, and history available on resume. No relying on conversation scrollback or markdown files.

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Use TodoWrite for:

Single-Session Tasks

Work that completes within current conversation.

Examples:

• Implementing a single function based on clear spec
• Fixing a bug with known root cause
• Adding unit tests for existing code
• Updating documentation for recent changes

Why TodoWrite wins: Simple checklist is perfect for linear execution. No need for persistence or dependencies. Clear completion within session.

Linear Execution

Straightforward step-by-step tasks with no branching.

Examples:

• Database migration with clear sequence
• Deployment checklist
• Code style cleanup across files
• Dependency updates following upgrade guide

Why TodoWrite wins: Steps are predetermined and sequential. No discovery, no blockers, no side quests. Just execute top to bottom.

Immediate Context

All information already in conversation.

Examples:

• User provides complete spec and asks for implementation
• Bug report with reproduction steps and fix approach
• Refactoring request with clear before/after vision
• Config changes based on user preferences

Why TodoWrite wins: No external context to track. Everything needed is in current conversation. TodoWrite provides user visibility, nothing more needed.

Simple Tracking

Just need a checklist to show progress to user.

Examples:

• Breaking down implementation into visible steps
• Showing validation workflow progress
• Demonstrating systematic approach
• Providing reassurance work is proceeding

Why TodoWrite wins: User wants to see thinking and progress. TodoWrite is visible in conversation. bd is invisible background structure.

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Detailed Comparison

Aspect	bd	TodoWrite
Persistence	Git-backed, survives compaction	Session-only, lost after conversation
Dependencies	Graph-based, automatic ready detection	Manual, no automatic tracking
Discoverability	bd ready surfaces work	Scroll conversation for todos
Complexity	Handles nested epics, blockers	Flat list only
Visibility	Background structure, not in conversation	Visible to user in chat
Setup	Requires .beads/ directory in project	Always available
Best for	Complex, multi-session, explorative	Simple, single-session, linear
Context capture	Design notes, acceptance criteria, links	Just task description
Evolution	Issues can be updated, refined over time	Static once written
Audit trail	Full history of changes	Only visible in conversation

Integration Patterns

bd and TodoWrite can coexist effectively in a session. Use both strategically.

Pattern 1: bd as Strategic, TodoWrite as Tactical

Setup:

• bd tracks high-level issues and dependencies
• TodoWrite tracks current session's execution steps

Example:

bd issue: "Implement user authentication" (epic)
  ├─ Child issue: "Create login endpoint"
  ├─ Child issue: "Add JWT token validation"  ← Currently working on this
  └─ Child issue: "Implement logout"

TodoWrite (for JWT validation):
- [ ] Install JWT library
- [ ] Create token validation middleware
- [ ] Add tests for token expiry
- [ ] Update API documentation

When to use:

• Complex features with clear implementation steps
• User wants to see current progress but larger context exists
• Multi-session work currently in single-session execution phase

Pattern 2: TodoWrite as Working Copy of bd

Setup:

• Start with bd issue containing full context
• Create TodoWrite checklist from bd issue's acceptance criteria
• Update bd as TodoWrite items complete

Example:

Session start:
- Check bd: "issue-auth-42: Add JWT token validation" is ready
- Extract acceptance criteria into TodoWrite
- Mark bd issue as in_progress
- Work through TodoWrite items
- Update bd design notes as you learn
- When TodoWrite completes, close bd issue

When to use:

• bd issue is ready but execution is straightforward
• User wants visible progress tracking
• Need structured approach to larger issue

Pattern 3: Transition Mid-Session

From TodoWrite to bd:

Recognize mid-execution that work is more complex than anticipated.

Trigger signals:

• Discovering blockers or dependencies
• Realizing work won't complete this session
• Finding side quests or related issues
• Needing to pause and resume later

How to transition:

1. Create bd issue with current TodoWrite content
2. Note: "Discovered this is multi-session work during implementation"
3. Add dependencies as discovered
4. Keep TodoWrite for current session
5. Update bd issue before session ends
6. Next session: resume from bd, create new TodoWrite if needed

From bd to TodoWrite:

Rare, but happens when bd issue turns out simpler than expected.

Trigger signals:

• All context already clear
• No dependencies discovered
• Can complete within session
• User wants execution visibility

How to transition:

1. Keep bd issue for historical record
2. Create TodoWrite from issue description
3. Execute via TodoWrite
4. Close bd issue when done
5. Note: "Completed in single session, simpler than expected"

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Strategic Document Development

Scenario: Developing policy proposal requiring research, stakeholder analysis, evidence gathering.

Why bd:

• Multi-session research across days
• Fuzzy boundaries - scope emerges through investigation
• Side quests - discover related policies to analyze
• Dependencies - can't write recommendations until research complete
• Project memory - need to resume after interruptions

bd structure:

barb-epic: "Develop BARB metrics policy proposal"
  ├─ barb-1: "Research existing BARB documentation"
  ├─ barb-2: "Analyze stakeholder positions" (blocks recommendations)
  ├─ barb-3: "Gather evidence for alternative approaches"
  └─ barb-4: "Draft policy recommendations" (blocked by barb-2)

TodoWrite role: None initially. Might use TodoWrite for single-session writing sprints once research complete.

Example 2: Simple Feature Implementation

Scenario: Add logging to existing endpoint based on clear specification.

Why TodoWrite:

• Single session work
• Linear execution - add import, call logger, add test
• All context in user message
• Completes within conversation

TodoWrite:

- [ ] Import logging library
- [ ] Add log statements to endpoint
- [ ] Add test for log output
- [ ] Run tests

bd role: None. Overkill for straightforward task.

Example 3: Bug Investigation

Initial assessment: Seems simple, try TodoWrite first.

TodoWrite:

- [ ] Reproduce bug
- [ ] Identify root cause
- [ ] Implement fix
- [ ] Add regression test

What actually happens: Reproducing bug reveals it's intermittent. Root cause investigation shows multiple potential issues. Needs time to investigate.

Transition to bd:

Create bd issue: "Fix intermittent auth failure in production"
  - Description: Initially seemed simple but reproduction shows complex race condition
  - Design: Three potential causes identified, need to test each
  - Created issues for each hypothesis with discovered-from dependency

Pause for day, resume next session from bd context

Example 4: Refactoring with Dependencies

Scenario: Extract common validation logic from three controllers.

Why bd:

• Dependencies - must extract before modifying callers
• Multi-file changes need coordination
• Potential side quest - might discover better pattern during extraction
• Need to track which controllers updated

bd structure:

refactor-1: "Create shared validation module"
  → blocks refactor-2, refactor-3, refactor-4

refactor-2: "Update auth controller to use shared validation"
refactor-3: "Update user controller to use shared validation"
refactor-4: "Update payment controller to use shared validation"

TodoWrite role: Could use TodoWrite for individual controller updates as implementing.

Why this works: bd ensures you don't forget to update a controller. bd ready shows next available work. Dependencies prevent starting controller update before extraction complete.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using TodoWrite for Multi-Session Work

What happens:

• Next session, forget what was done
• Scroll conversation history to reconstruct
• Lose design decisions made during implementation
• Start over or duplicate work

Solution: Create bd issue instead. Persist context across sessions.

Mistake 2: Using bd for Simple Linear Tasks

What happens:

• Overhead of creating issue not justified
• User can't see progress in conversation
• Extra tool use for no benefit

Solution: Use TodoWrite. It's designed for exactly this case.

Mistake 3: Not Transitioning When Complexity Emerges

What happens:

• Start with TodoWrite for "simple" task
• Discover blockers and dependencies mid-way
• Keep using TodoWrite despite poor fit
• Lose context when conversation ends

Solution: Transition to bd when complexity signal appears. Not too late mid-session.

Mistake 4: Creating Too Many bd Issues

What happens:

• Every tiny task gets an issue
• Database cluttered with trivial items
• Hard to find meaningful work in bd ready

Solution: Reserve bd for work that actually benefits from persistence. Use "2 week test" - would bd help resume after 2 weeks? If no, skip it.

Mistake 5: Never Using bd Because TodoWrite is Familiar

What happens:

• Multi-session projects become markdown swamps
• Lose track of dependencies and blockers
• Can't resume work effectively
• Rotten half-implemented plans

Solution: Force yourself to use bd for next multi-session project. Experience the difference in organization and resumability.

The Transition Point

Most work starts with an implicit mental model:

"This looks straightforward" → TodoWrite

As work progresses:

✅ Stays straightforward → Continue with TodoWrite, complete in session

⚠️ Complexity emerges → Transition to bd, preserve context

The skill is recognizing the transition point:

Transition signals:

• "This is taking longer than expected"
• "I've discovered a blocker"
• "This needs more research"
• "I should pause this and investigate X first"
• "The user might not be available to continue today"
• "I found three related issues while working on this"

When you notice these signals: Create bd issue, preserve context, work from structured foundation.

Summary Heuristics

Quick decision guides:

Time horizon:

• Same session → TodoWrite
• Multiple sessions → bd

Dependency structure:

• Linear steps → TodoWrite
• Blockers/prerequisites → bd

Scope clarity:

• Well-defined → TodoWrite
• Exploratory → bd

Context complexity:

• Conversation has everything → TodoWrite
• External context needed → bd

User interaction:

• User watching progress → TodoWrite visible in chat
• Background work → bd invisible structure

Resume difficulty:

• Easy from markdown → TodoWrite
• Need structured history → bd

When in doubt: Use the 2-week test. If you'd struggle to resume this work after 2 weeks without bd, use bd.