/start-work

description: Start work on a new Linear ticket with proper workflow
argument-hint: [{{TICKET_PREFIX}}-number]
allowed-tools: [Read, Write, Edit, Bash, Grep, Glob, mcp__{{MCP_LINEAR_SERVER}}__*]

You are starting work on a new Linear ticket.

**Workflow Authority**: This harness command provides execution steps. CONTRIBUTING.md is the northstar for conventions (branch naming, commit format, SAFe patterns). Follow both:

Pre-Flight Checklist

1. **Linear Ticket Exists?**

• If no ticket number provided in arguments, ask user for Linear ticket number
• Verify ticket exists in Linear using `mcp__{{MCP_LINEAR_SERVER}}__get_issue`
• Confirm ticket is in appropriate status (Todo, In Progress)

2. **Stop-the-Line: AC/DoD Check** (MANDATORY)

• Verify ticket has **Acceptance Criteria** or **Definition of Done**
• If AC/DoD is missing or unclear:
• **STOP** - Do not proceed with implementation
• Route back to BSA/POPM to define AC/DoD
• Dev agents are NOT responsible for inventing AC/DoD
• Work begins ONLY when AC/DoD exists

3. **Branch Naming**

• Format: `{{TICKET_PREFIX}}-{number}-{short-description}`
• Must start with {{TICKET_PREFIX}}- and ticket number
• Use lowercase with hyphens

4. **Start from Latest Dev**

• Ensure starting from clean dev branch: `git checkout dev && git pull origin dev`
• Verify no uncommitted changes

5. **Create Feature Branch**

• Create branch: `git checkout -b {{TICKET_PREFIX}}-{number}-{description}`
• Confirm branch created successfully

Workflow

If argument provided ($1):

• Use as ticket number (e.g., `/start-work 347` → {{TICKET_PREFIX}}-347)
• Fetch ticket details from Linear
• Suggest branch name based on ticket title
• Execute checkout workflow

If no argument:

• Ask user for Linear ticket number
• Proceed with workflow

Success Criteria

• ✅ Linear ticket verified
• ✅ AC/DoD confirmed (Stop-the-Line gate passed)
• ✅ On latest dev branch
• ✅ Feature branch created with correct naming
• ✅ Ready to begin work

Report status and any blockers. If AC/DoD is missing, report blocker and route to BSA.