backloghq/backlog

Persistent, cross-session task management for Claude Code. Tasks survive sessions so work started by one agent can be picked up by another.
Built on @backloghq/agentdb — typed schemas, auto-increment IDs, virtual filters, blob storage. Pure TypeScript, zero native dependencies.
Install
From source
Standalone MCP server
Add to your project's .claude/settings.json:
Skills
| Skill | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| /backlog:tasks | Show the current backlog — pending, active, blocked, overdue tasks |
| /backlog:plan | Break down a goal into tasks with dependencies, priorities, and specs |
| /backlog:standup | Daily standup — done, in progress, blocked, up next |
| /backlog:refine | Groom the backlog — fix vague tasks, missing priorities, broken deps, stale items |
| /backlog:spec | Write a spec document for a task before implementation |
| /backlog:implement | Pick up a task, read its spec, implement it, mark done |
| /backlog:handoff | Prepare for next session — annotate progress, stop active tasks, summarize state |
Agent
The task-planner agent can be auto-invoked by Claude when someone needs to plan work. It reads the codebase, decomposes goals into tasks with dependencies, and writes specs for complex items.
Hooks
| Event | What it does |
|-------|-------------|
| SessionStart | Shows pending task count when a session begins |
| TaskCreated | Syncs Claude's built-in tasks to the persistent backlog |
| TaskCompleted | Marks the matching backlog task as done when Claude completes a built-in task |
| SubagentStart | Auto-assigns unassigned pending tasks to the spawned agent |
Tools (MCP)
Tools for full task lifecycle management:
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| task_list | Query tasks with filter syntax. Returns JSON array with all fields. |
| task_count | Count tasks matching a filter. Same syntax as task_list. |
| task_add | Create a new pending task. Only description required; all other fields optional. |
| task_log | Record already-completed work directly in completed status. |
| task_modify | Partial-update one or more tasks matching a filter. Only provided fields change. |
| task_duplicate | Copy an existing task with optional field overrides. |
| task_done | Mark a task as completed with end timestamp. |
| task_delete | Soft-delete a task. Restorable with task_undo. Use task_purge to permanently remove. |
| task_annotate | Add a timestamped note. Use task_doc_write for longer content. |
| task_denotate | Remove an annotation by exact text match. |
| task_start | Mark a task as actively being worked on. Visible in +ACTIVE queries. |
| task_stop | Stop working on a task. Returns it to pending status. |
| task_undo | Undo the most recent operation. Can be called repeatedly. |
| task_info | Get full JSON details for a single task by ID or UUID. |
| task_import | Bulk-create tasks from a JSON array. Atomic batch operation. |
| task_purge | Permanently remove a deleted task. Irreversible. |
| task_doc_write | Attach/replace a markdown document on a task (specs, notes, context). |
| task_doc_read | Read the markdown document attached to a task. |
| task_doc_delete | Remove a task's document. Permanent. |
| task_archive | Move old completed/deleted tasks to quarterly archive segments. |