Package Exports
This package does not declare an exports field, so the exports above have been automatically detected and optimized by JSPM instead. If any package subpath is missing, it is recommended to post an issue to the original package (backlog.md) to support the "exports" field. If that is not possible, create a JSPM override to customize the exports field for this package.
Readme
Backlog.md
Markdown‑native Task Manager & Kanban visualizer for any Git repository
npm i -g backlog.md or bun add -g backlog.md

Backlog.md turns any folder with a Git repo into a self‑contained project board
powered by plain Markdown files and a zero‑config CLI.
Features
📝 Markdown-native tasks -- manage every issue as a plain
.mdfile🔒 100 % private & offline -- backlog lives entirely inside your repo
📊 Instant terminal Kanban --
backlog boardpaints a live board in your shell📤 Board export --
backlog board exportcreates shareable markdown reports🌐 Modern web interface --
backlog browserlaunches a sleek web UI for visual task management🤖 AI-ready CLI -- "Claude, please take over task 33"
🔍 Rich query commands -- view, list, filter, or archive tasks with ease
💻 Cross-platform -- runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows
🆓 MIT-licensed & open-source -- free for personal or commercial use
Five‑minute tour
# Make sure you have Backlog.md installed
bun/npm i -g backlog.md
# 1. Bootstrap a repo + backlog
backlog init hello-
# 2. Capture work
backlog task create "Render markdown as kanban"
# 3. See where you stand
backlog board view
# 4. Working with AI
Claude I would like to build a search functionality in the web view that searches for:
* tasks
* docs
* decisions
Please create relevant tasks to tackle this request.All data is saved under backlog folder as human‑readable Markdown with the following format task-<task-id> - <task-title>.md (e.g. task-12 - Fix typo.md).
Web Interface
Launch a modern, responsive web interface for visual task management:
# Start the web server (opens browser automatically)
backlog browser
# Custom port
backlog browser --port 8080
# Don't open browser automatically
backlog browser --no-open
The web interface provides:
- Interactive Kanban board with drag-and-drop functionality
- Task creation and editing with rich forms and validation
- Real-time updates as you manage tasks
- Responsive design that works on desktop and mobile
- Archive tasks with confirmation dialogs
- Seamless CLI integration - changes sync with your markdown files
CLI reference (essentials)
| Action | Example |
|---|---|
| Create task | backlog task create "Add OAuth System" |
| Create with description | backlog task create "Feature" -d "Add authentication system" |
| Create with assignee | backlog task create "Feature" -a @sara |
| Create with status | backlog task create "Feature" -s "In Progress" |
| Create with labels | backlog task create "Feature" -l auth,backend |
| Create with priority | backlog task create "Feature" --priority high |
| Create with plan | backlog task create "Feature" --plan "1. Research\n2. Implement" |
| Create with AC | backlog task create "Feature" --ac "Must work,Must be tested" |
| Create with notes | backlog task create "Feature" --notes "Started initial research" |
| Create with deps | backlog task create "Feature" --dep task-1,task-2 |
| Create sub task | backlog task create -p 14 "Add Login with Google" |
| Create draft | backlog task create "Feature" --draft |
| Create (all options) | backlog task create "Feature" -d "Description" -a @sara -s "To Do" -l auth --priority high --ac "Must work" --notes "Initial setup done" --dep task-1 -p 14 |
| List tasks | backlog task list [-s <status>] [-a <assignee>] [-p <parent>] |
| List by parent | backlog task list --parent 42 or backlog task list -p task-42 |
| View detail | backlog task 7 (interactive UI, press 'E' to edit in editor) |
| View (AI mode) | backlog task 7 --plain |
| Edit | backlog task edit 7 -a @sara -l auth,backend |
| Add plan | backlog task edit 7 --plan "Implementation approach" |
| Add AC | backlog task edit 7 --ac "New criterion,Another one" |
| Add notes | backlog task edit 7 --notes "Completed X, working on Y" |
| Add deps | backlog task edit 7 --dep task-1 --dep task-2 |
| Archive | backlog task archive 7 |
| Draft flow | backlog draft create "Spike GraphQL" → backlog draft promote 3.1 |
| Demote to draft | backlog task demote <id> |
| Kanban board | backlog board (interactive UI, press 'E' to edit in editor) |
| Export board | backlog board export [file] (exports Kanban board to markdown) |
| Web interface | backlog browser (launches web UI on port 6420) |
| Web custom port | backlog browser --port 8080 --no-open |
| Config editor | backlog config set defaultEditor "code --wait" |
| Enable auto-commit | backlog config set autoCommit true |
| View config | backlog config list |
Full help: backlog --help
Configuration
Backlog.md merges the following layers (highest → lowest):
- CLI flags
backlog/config.yml(per‑project)~/backlog/user(per‑user)- Built‑ins
Key options:
| Key | Purpose | Default |
|---|---|---|
default_assignee |
Pre‑fill assignee | [] |
default_status |
First column | To Do |
statuses |
Board columns | [To Do, In Progress, Done] |
date_format |
ISO or locale | yyyy-mm-dd |
default_editor |
Editor for 'E' key | Platform default (nano/notepad) |
default_port |
Web UI port | 6420 |
auto_open_browser |
Open browser automatically | true |
remote_operations |
Enable remote git operations | true |
auto_commit |
Automatically commit task changes | false |
Note: Set
remote_operations: falseto work offline. This disables git fetch operations and loads tasks from local branches only, useful when working without network connectivity.
Git Control: By default,
auto_commitis set tofalse, giving you full control over your git history. Task operations will modify files but won't automatically commit changes. Setauto_commit: trueif you prefer automatic commits for each task operation.
Sharing & Export
Board Export
Export your Kanban board to a clean, shareable markdown file:
# Export to default Backlog.md file
backlog board export
# Export to custom file
backlog board export project-status.md
# Force overwrite existing file
backlog board export --forcePerfect for sharing project status, creating reports, or storing snapshots in version control.
License
Backlog.md is released under the MIT License – do anything, just give credit. See LICENSE.