Working with agents in Hatchlog
A connected agent reads your board, plans work into tasks, picks up the top task in Todo, moves it as it works, and reports back. Backlog stays untouched until you move a task into Todo. You can add the Hatchlog rules to CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md from Settings.
What the agent can do on the board
A connected agent works through a small set of tools. Each one maps to something you would otherwise do by hand on the board.
next_task— take the next task to work on from Todo.write_plan— turn a feature you describe into a plan.add_tasks— break that plan into tasks with priorities and acceptance criteria.update_task— move a card and note what changed.report_bug— file a bug as a new card.add_note— leave a note on a task for you or the next session.list_tasksandsearch— find work already on the board.get_context— read the project and its board before starting.
How Todo and Backlog decide what agents pick up
The board has a Backlog and a Todo. An agent only ever starts the top task in Todo. Backlog is yours: it holds everything that isn't ready yet.
So the rule is simple. Move a task into Todo when you want an agent to start it. Leave it in Backlog while it's still an idea. This keeps the agent on work you've cleared, not on a rough note you jotted down.
Add the Hatchlog rules to CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md
Agents follow a project rules file — CLAUDE.md for Claude Code, or
AGENTS.md for Codex and Cursor. Hatchlog can add a short set of rules
there so the agent knows to plan into the board and keep cards up to date.
Open Settings → Agents and use Add rules to…. Pick the file you want, and Hatchlog writes the rules in. You never have to paste anything yourself.
Common questions
Does the agent move cards on its own?
Yes. A connected agent picks up a task, moves it across the board as it works, and reports back. You can step in at any point.
How does the agent choose what to work on?
It takes the top task in Todo. Backlog is held back until you move a task into Todo, so the agent only touches work you have cleared.
Do I have to edit CLAUDE.md myself?
No. Settings → Agents → Add rules to writes the Hatchlog rules into CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md for you. You choose which file.