Jira Backlog Summary
Fetch a token-efficient summary of issues from Jira with sprint-aware caching. Returns only essential fields: issue key, status, labels, and summary.
Quick Start
Use the Python script at scripts/fetch_backlog.py:
# Get all issues in project (default 50)
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT
# Get only backlog issues (not in any sprint)
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --scope backlog
# Get active sprint issues
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --scope active-sprint
# Get issues from past/closed sprints
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --scope past-sprints
Scope Options
| Scope | Description | Cache TTL |
|---|---|---|
all (default) | All issues | Auto-categorized |
backlog | Issues not in any sprint | 12 hours |
active-sprint | Issues in current sprint | 1 hour |
past-sprints | Issues from closed sprints | 24 hours |
Filter Examples
Scope + Label Filters
# Backlog Vue issues
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --scope backlog --label vue
# Active sprint excluding legacy
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --scope active-sprint --exclude-label legacy
# Past sprint issues that are done
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --scope past-sprints --status Done
Status Filters
# Only open backlog issues
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --scope backlog --status Open --status "To Do"
# Active sprint, not done
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --scope active-sprint --exclude-status Done
Output Formats
Compact (default)
Most token-efficient. One line per issue:
EFT-123|Open|vue,frontend|Implement dark mode toggle
EFT-124|In Progress|-|Fix login validation
Format: KEY|status|labels|summary (labels - if none)
JSON
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --format json
Returns compact JSON array for programmatic use.
Text
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --format text
Multi-line human-readable format.
Sprint-Aware Caching
Issues are cached in three categories with different TTLs:
| Category | TTL | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
active_sprint | 1 hour | Issues change frequently during active sprints |
backlog | 12 hours | Backlog items change less frequently |
past_sprints | 24 hours | Closed sprint issues rarely change |
Cache Management
# View cache status
python shared/jira_cache.py info
# Clear all issue cache
python shared/jira_cache.py clear-issues
# Clear only backlog cache
python shared/jira_cache.py clear-issues --category backlog
# Clear only active sprint cache for project
python shared/jira_cache.py clear-issues -p EFT --category active_sprint
# Move issues to past_sprints when sprint closes
python shared/jira_cache.py close-sprint -p EFT --sprint-id 123
Discovery Commands
List available filter values:
# List sprints for project
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --list-sprints
# List statuses for project
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --list-statuses
# List available labels
python scripts/fetch_backlog.py EFT --list-labels
Environment Setup
Requires three environment variables:
JIRA_BASE_URL- e.g.,https://yoursite.atlassian.netJIRA_EMAIL- Your Jira account emailJIRA_API_TOKEN- API token from Atlassian account settings
Token Efficiency
This skill is optimized for minimal token usage:
- Only fetches: key, status, labels, summary (no description, comments, etc.)
- Compact output uses pipe delimiters
- Default limit of 50 issues prevents oversized responses
- Sprint-aware caching reduces API calls
For detailed single-issue information, use the jira-issue skill instead.
Reference
For complete filter options and JQL examples, see references/options-reference.md.