{"id":"db5a8d32-5d0f-4318-8f48-dfaa08249040","shortId":"D9wY9q","kind":"skill","title":"choosing-beads-backend","tagline":"Use when a workflow depends on Beads persistence and you need to choose or adapt between official Beads, beads_rust compatibility, or a no-Beads fallback","description":"# Choosing Beads Backend\n\n## Overview\n\nDefault to official Beads (`bd`). Beads is the **Primary Source of Truth** for the Flow framework. All tasks, notes, and state MUST be recorded in the active backend. Markdown files are synchronized views of this state.\n\n<workflow>\n\n1. **Official Beads (`bd`)**: preferred default. Hierarchical epics, rich notes.\n2. **Compatibility (`br`)**: use when the repo already depends on `br` semantics or when official Beads is unavailable.\n3. **No Beads**: DEGRADED MODE. Use only when persistence is not possible. Markdown markers must be updated manually.\n\n- If the user asks for the official Beads experience, use `bd`.\n- If the repo already contains `br`-specific commands, document `br` as compatibility mode.\n- If persistence is unavailable, inform the user that `/flow:sync` will be disabled and they must manage Markdown markers manually.\n\n</workflow>\n\n<guardrails>\n\n- For local-only artifacts, prefer `.git/info/exclude`.\n- Only modify `.gitignore` when the user explicitly wants a shared repo policy.\n- Do not relabel `br` as the official Beads experience.\n- Do not force Beads installation when degraded mode is viable.\n\n</guardrails>\n\n<validation>\n\nBefore recommending a backend, verify:\n\n- [ ] `bd` is preferred unless compatibility or user constraints say otherwise\n- [ ] `br` is framed as compatibility mode, not the default official path\n- [ ] No-Beads fallback is mentioned when it is viable\n- [ ] Ignore guidance matches the user's intended scope\n\n</validation>\n\n<example>\n\nExample decision:\n\n- \"This repo can use official Beads (`bd`) by default, keep `br` available for older workflows, and still continue without Beads when the user wants low admin overhead.\"\n\n</example>\n\n## Reference\n\nRead [references/backend-matrix.md](references/backend-matrix.md) for command mapping and setup 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