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---
name: gsd:add-backlog
description: Add an idea to the backlog parking lot (999.x numbering)
argument-hint: <description>
allowed-tools:
- Read
- Write
- Bash
---
<objective>
Add a backlog item to the roadmap using 999.x numbering. Backlog items are
unsequenced ideas that aren't ready for active planning — they live outside
the normal phase sequence and accumulate context over time.
</objective>
<process>
1. **Read ROADMAP.md** to find existing backlog entries:
```bash
cat .planning/ROADMAP.md
```
2. **Find next backlog number:**
```bash
NEXT=$(gsd-sdk query phase.next-decimal 999 --raw)
```
If no 999.x phases exist, start at 999.1.
3. **Add to ROADMAP.md** under a `## Backlog` section. If the section doesn't exist, create it at the end.
Write the ROADMAP entry BEFORE creating the directory — this ensures directory existence is always
a reliable indicator that the phase is already registered, which prevents false duplicate detection
in any hook that checks for existing 999.x directories (#2280):
```markdown
## Backlog
### Phase {NEXT}: {description} (BACKLOG)
**Goal:** [Captured for future planning]
**Requirements:** TBD
**Plans:** 0 plans
Plans:
- [ ] TBD (promote with /gsd:review-backlog when ready)
```
4. **Create the phase directory:**
```bash
SLUG=$(gsd-sdk query generate-slug "$ARGUMENTS" --raw)
mkdir -p ".planning/phases/${NEXT}-${SLUG}"
touch ".planning/phases/${NEXT}-${SLUG}/.gitkeep"
```
5. **Commit:**
```bash
gsd-sdk query commit "docs: add backlog item ${NEXT} — ${ARGUMENTS}" .planning/ROADMAP.md ".planning/phases/${NEXT}-${SLUG}/.gitkeep"
```
6. **Report:**
```
## 📋 Backlog Item Added
Phase {NEXT}: {description}
Directory: .planning/phases/{NEXT}-{slug}/
This item lives in the backlog parking lot.
Use /gsd:discuss-phase {NEXT} to explore it further.
Use /gsd:review-backlog to promote items to active milestone.
```
</process>
<notes>
- 999.x numbering keeps backlog items out of the active phase sequence
- Phase directories are created immediately, so /gsd:discuss-phase and /gsd:plan-phase work on them
- No `Depends on:` field — backlog items are unsequenced by definition
- Sparse numbering is fine (999.1, 999.3) — always uses next-decimal
</notes>