pascalandy/beads

Beads - Persistent Task Memory for AI Agents

Graph-based issue tracker that survives conversation compaction. Provides persistent memory for multi-session work with complex dependencies.

bd vs TodoWrite

| bd (persistent) | TodoWrite (ephemeral) | |-----------------|----------------------| | Multi-session work | Single-session tasks | | Complex dependencies | Linear execution | | Survives compaction | Conversation-scoped | | Git-backed, team sync | Local to session |

Decision test: "Will I need this context in 2 weeks?" → YES = bd

When to use bd:

• Work spans multiple sessions or days
• Tasks have dependencies or blockers
• Need to survive conversation compaction
• Exploratory/research work with fuzzy boundaries
• Collaboration with team (git sync)

When to use TodoWrite:

• Single-session linear tasks
• Simple checklist for immediate work
• All context is in current conversation
• Will complete within current session

Prerequisites

bd --version  # Requires v0.47.0+

• bd CLI installed and in PATH
• Git repository (bd requires git for sync)
• Initialization: bd init run once in the repo (humans do this, not agents)

CLI Reference

Run bd prime for AI-optimized workflow context (auto-loaded by hooks). Run bd <command> --help for specific command usage.

Essential commands: bd ready, bd create, bd dep add, bd show, bd update, bd close, bd dolt push

Session Protocol

1. bd ready — Find unblocked work
2. bd show <id> — Get full context
3. bd update <id> --claim — Claim and start work atomically
4. Add notes as you work (critical for compaction survival)
5. bd close <id> --reason "..." — Complete task
6. bd dolt push — Push to Dolt remote (if configured)

Advanced Features

| Feature | CLI | Resource | |---------|-----|----------| | Molecules (templates) | bd mol --help | MOLECULES.md | | Chemistry (pour/wisp) | bd pour, bd wisp | CHEMISTRY_PATTERNS.md | | Agent beads | bd agent --help | AGENTS.md | | Async gates | bd gate --help | ASYNC_GATES.md | | Worktrees | bd worktree --help | WORKTREES.md |

Resources

| Resource | Content | |----------|---------| | BOUNDARIES.md | bd vs TodoWrite detailed comparison | | CLI_REFERENCE.md | Complete command syntax | | DEPENDENCIES.md | Dependency system deep dive | | INTEGRATION_PATTERNS.md | TodoWrite and tool integration | | ISSUE_CREATION.md | When and how to create issues | | MOLECULES.md | Proto definitions, component labels | | PATTERNS.md | Common usage patterns | | RESUMABILITY.md | Compaction survival guide | | STATIC_DATA.md | Database schema reference | | TROUBLESHOOTING.md | Error handling and fixes | | WORKFLOWS.md | Step-by-step workflow patterns | | AGENTS.md | Agent bead tracking (v0.40+) | | ASYNC_GATES.md | Human-in-the-loop gates | | CHEMISTRY_PATTERNS.md | Mol vs Wisp decision tree | | WORKTREES.md | Parallel development patterns |

Full Documentation

• bd prime: AI-optimized workflow context
• GitHub: github.com/steveyegge/beads