# Divide Task

> Divide a specced pastiche task into sub-task GitHub issues with autonomy and dependency labels, mirror them into `_dev/TODO.md`, and update the parent issue. Use after `grill-to-spec` completes for a task, or when the user invokes `/divide-task`.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-retz8-pastiche-divide-task`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [retz8](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/retz8)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Developer Tools](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/developer-tools)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [retz8](https://github.com/retz8)
- **Source:** https://github.com/retz8/pastiche/tree/main/.claude/skills/divide-task

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-retz8-pastiche-divide-task
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# divide-task

Harness conventions: `_dev/docs/harness.md`. Requires: task spec written, task `[WIP]`, feature branch checked out.

## Workflow

1. **Derive sub-tasks from the spec.** Each sub-task is one implementation step, sized for a single overnight session. Number them `N.1, N.2, …` where `N` is the task's TODO number.

2. **Analyze each sub-task:**
   - **Autonomy** — purely mechanical, mergeable without human judgment → `autonomous-ready`; otherwise → `decision-needed`. When in doubt, `decision-needed`.
   - **Dependencies** — which sub-tasks must land first. Independent sub-tasks that touch disjoint files/logic may run in parallel; note the execution order.

3. **Review with the user** before creating anything: list sub-tasks, labels, and dependency order. Adjust until approved.

4. **Create child issues.** For each sub-task:
   - Title `[N.x] `; body: one-paragraph scope + pointer to the spec path; same milestone as the parent; autonomy label.
   - For blocked ones: create `blocked-by-` labels on demand (`gh label create`) and apply them. Blockers must be created first so their issue numbers exist.
   - Link each as a sub-issue of the parent (GitHub sub-issue, or a task-list in the parent body if unavailable).

5. **Mirror into `_dev/TODO.md`.** Under the task line, add an indented checklist: `  - [ ] **N.x**  (#)`.

6. **Update the parent issue.** Add the sub-issue links and the spec reference.

## Label lifecycle (for whoever completes a sub-task)

When a blocking sub-task closes, remove its `blocked-by-` label from every issue carrying it, and tick the sub-task checkbox in TODO.md.

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [retz8](https://github.com/retz8)
- **Source:** [retz8/pastiche](https://github.com/retz8/pastiche)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-retz8-pastiche-divide-task
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/retz8
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.