Dex Workflow – Task-Based Feature Implementation

Current branch: !git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null || echo "not in git repo" Task status: !dex status 2>/dev/null | head -5 || echo "dex not configured"

Dex is a CLI for persistent task tracking across sessions. Tasks sync with GitHub issues and support native cross-session resume.

When to Use Dex Workflow

• Implementing stories from a PRD spec
• Tracking implementation progress across sessions
• Resuming work after /clear or session restart
• When you need GitHub issue sync

Daily Workflow

Check Status

dex status                  # Dashboard with stats, ready tasks, recent completions
dex list                    # All pending tasks (tree view)
dex list --ready            # Unblocked tasks ready to work
dex list --in-progress      # Currently claimed tasks
dex list --blocked          # Tasks waiting on dependencies

Start Working

dex list --ready            # See what's available
dex show <id> --full        # Read full task details
dex start <id>              # Claim the task (marks in-progress)

If task has skills metadata, load them first:

# Look for "Skills:" line in task description
/Skill <skill-name>

Complete a Task

Use /complete command (wraps reviewers + dex complete):

/complete <task-id>

Or manually:

1. Run reviewers (code-simplifier + kieran)
2. Address findings
3. Commit with task reference
4. Mark complete with verified result:

dex complete <id> --result "What changed: X. Verification: N tests passing."

GitHub Sync

dex sync                    # Push tasks to GitHub issues
dex sync --github           # Explicit GitHub sync
dex import #123             # Import existing GitHub issue
dex export <id>             # One-time export (no sync)

Task Creation from PRD Spec

Using dex plan (Recommended)

After writing spec with Implementation Stories section:

dex plan plans/<feature>/spec.md

This automatically:

1. Creates parent task from spec title
2. Analyzes Implementation Stories section for subtasks
3. Generates subtasks with proper hierarchy

Our spec structure is designed for dex plan:

## Implementation Stories

### Story 1: Create login form
**Category:** ui
**Skills:** frontend-design
**Blocked by:** none
**Acceptance Criteria:**
- [ ] Form renders with inputs
- [ ] Validation works

The CLI parses headings (### Story N:) as subtask titles and preserves the description content including Category, Skills, and Acceptance Criteria.

Dex also provides skills for interactive use:

• /dex – Natural language task management
• /dex-plan – AI-powered markdown → tasks conversion

Install with npx skills add dcramer/dex. These are useful for ad-hoc work, but CLI commands are more reliable in automated workflows (stop hooks, etc.).

Manual Creation (if needed)

# Create epic for the feature
dex create "feature-name" -d "Feature: ..."

# Create stories as child tasks
dex create "Story 1: title" --parent <epic-id> -d "
Category: ui
Skills: frontend-design

Acceptance Criteria:
- [ ] Criterion 1
- [ ] Criterion 2
"

# Set dependencies
dex create "Story 2: ..." --blocked-by <story1-id>

Cross-Session Resume

After /clear or new session:

1. dex status – See dashboard
2. dex list --in-progress – Check if you were mid-task
3. dex list --ready – See what’s next
4. dex show <id> --expand – Get full context with ancestors
5. Load required skills
6. Continue implementation

Task Metadata Structure

Tasks from PRD specs include:

• Category: functional, ui, integration, edge-case, performance
• Skills: skill names to load before implementation
• Acceptance Criteria: verification checklist
• Blocked by: dependency references

Command Reference

# Status & Listing
dex status                  # Dashboard view
dex list                    # Pending tasks (tree)
dex list --ready            # Unblocked only
dex list --in-progress      # Currently claimed
dex list --query "auth"     # Search tasks

# Task Details
dex show <id>               # Basic details
dex show <id> --full        # Full untruncated output
dex show <id> --expand      # Include ancestor descriptions

# Working
dex start <id>              # Mark as in-progress
dex start <id> --force      # Reclaim from another agent
dex complete <id> --result "What changed: X. Verification: N tests passing."

# Editing
dex edit <id> -n "new name"
dex edit <id> -d "new description"
dex edit <id> --add-blocker <other-id>

# Creating
dex create "name" -d "description"
dex create "name" --parent <id> --blocked-by <id>
dex plan <file.md>          # Auto-create from markdown

# GitHub Integration
dex sync                    # Sync to GitHub issues
dex import #123             # Import issue
dex export <id>             # One-time export

# Maintenance
dex archive <id>            # Compact completed task tree
dex doctor                  # Validate storage
dex doctor --fix            # Auto-repair issues

Quality Expectations

Production code only:

• Pre-commit reviews required (code-simplifier + kieran)
• Atomic commits per task
• All tests/lint/types must pass

Result must include verification:

• ✅ “Added X. 12 tests passing. Build success.”
• ❌ “Should work” or “Made changes” (unverified claims)

Note: Parent tasks cannot complete until all subtasks are done.

Related Commands

• /prd – Create PRD with Dex handoff (Phase 4)
• /complete – Complete task with reviewer workflow
• /ut – Unit test coverage with Dex tracking
• /e2e – E2E tests with Dex tracking