# Label Taxonomy

This document defines the canonical issue labels used by MCP workflows.

Every issue should carry:

- one `type:*` label
- one `status:*` label

Discussion-only issues must carry `type:discussion`.

## Issue Type Labels

| Label | Use |
| --- | --- |
| `type:bug` | Bug or defect |
| `type:feature` | Feature or enhancement |
| `type:process` | Process or policy work |
| `type:workflow` | Workflow automation or guidance |
| `type:guardrail` | Safety gate or guardrail |
| `type:docs` | Documentation work |
| `type:test` | Tests or test infrastructure |
| `type:discussion` | Discussion-only issue |
| `type:umbrella` | Umbrella or tracker issue |
| `type:cleanup` | Cleanup or hygiene work |

## Workflow Status Labels

Only one `status:*` label should be active on an issue at a time. When an issue
moves forward, tooling must remove the old `status:*` label and apply the new
one.

| Label | Use |
| --- | --- |
| `status:triage` | Issue needs triage |
| `status:ready` | Issue is ready for work |
| `status:claimed` | Issue is claimed |
| `status:in-progress` | Issue is being worked on |
| `status:blocked` | Issue is blocked |
| `status:needs-review` | Issue work needs review |
| `status:pr-open` | A linked PR is open |
| `status:approved` | Linked PR is approved |
| `status:merged` | Linked PR is merged |
| `status:reconcile` | Issue needs reconciliation |
| `status:done` | Issue workflow is complete |
| `status:duplicate` | Issue is a duplicate |
| `status:wontfix` | Issue will not be fixed |

## Transition Rules

Suggested lifecycle:

1. New issue created: `status:triage` or `status:ready`
2. Issue selected by an author: `status:claimed`
3. Author starts work: `status:in-progress`
4. Work is blocked: `status:blocked`
5. PR opened: `status:pr-open`
6. PR approved: `status:approved`
7. PR merged but issue still needs closure/reconciliation: `status:reconcile`
8. Issue fully complete: `status:done`
9. Duplicate issue: `status:duplicate`
10. Won't-fix issue: `status:wontfix`

The helper module `issue_workflow_labels.py` is the source of truth for the
canonical label specs and status transition replacement behavior.

## Discussion Issues

Discussion issues must be labeled `type:discussion`.

A discussion issue should not be treated as implementation-ready unless it also
has a clear implementation status and next action.

If a discussion produces implementation work, either:

1. convert the discussion issue into an implementation issue by changing labels
   and adding acceptance criteria, or
2. create child implementation issues and leave the discussion issue as
   `type:discussion`.

## Tooling

- `manage_labels.py --create-labels` creates the canonical `type:*` and
  `status:*` labels.
- `gitea_create_issue` recommends `type:*` and `status:*` labels when missing
  and can apply supplied label names.
- `gitea_mark_issue(..., action="start")` replaces old `status:*` labels with
  `status:in-progress`.
- `gitea_create_pr` fails closed before PR creation if `status:pr-open` cannot
  be applied to the locked issue, then applies it after the PR is created.
- `gitea_set_issue_labels` accepts an explicit `worktree_path` so author
  sessions can satisfy the branches-only mutation guard while changing labels.

## Existing Non-Workflow Labels

Existing non-workflow labels such as `mcp`, `workflow`, `labels`, `tracker`,
`jenkins`, `glitchtip`, `documentation`, and `testing` remain valid topical
labels. They do not replace the required `type:*` and `status:*` labels.