idea
idea captures and manages a per-repo backlog in a plain Markdown file (fab/backlog.md). The file is the contract: hand-edit it, grep it, diff it, review it in PRs.
Why it exists
Section titled “Why it exists”Every project accumulates a list of things to do. Most tools store that list in a database, in a SaaS, or in a hidden state file. idea keeps it as a markdown file in your repo, alongside the code, where it can be diff-reviewed and where every AI agent can read it without authentication.
Distinguishing properties
Section titled “Distinguishing properties”- Plain Markdown, not a database — the backlog is a checked-in file.
- Per-repo, not global — every repo has its own backlog.
- Worktree-aware — reads/writes the current worktree’s backlog by default;
--mainopts into the shared one. - Short, addressable IDs —
[qu1d]-style IDs you can type into any command. - Hooks into fab-kit — same
fab/backlog.mdthat/fab-newreads.
When to use it
Section titled “When to use it”- Capturing ideas mid-flow without breaking out of your terminal
- Maintaining a backlog you actually look at, because it’s a file you already look at
- Feeding a queue of changes to
fab-kitfor AI-driven implementation
Next: install idea, or jump to commands.