---
name: ghe-claim
description: |
  CLAIM a specific GitHub issue to START working on it. Requires an issue number. Performs validation, atomic claim, posts claim comment, and sets up worktree. Use when user wants to begin work on a specific issue number (e.g., "claim #201", "start working on issue #N").
---

## IRON LAW: User Specifications Are Sacred

**THIS LAW IS ABSOLUTE AND ADMITS NO EXCEPTIONS.**

1. **Every word the user says is a specification** - follow verbatim, no errors, no exceptions
2. **Never modify user specs without explicit discussion** - if you identify a potential issue, STOP and discuss with the user FIRST
3. **Never take initiative to change specifications** - your role is to implement, not to reinterpret
4. **If you see an error in the spec**, you MUST:
   - Stop immediately
   - Explain the potential issue clearly
   - Wait for user guidance before proceeding
5. **No silent "improvements"** - what seems like an improvement to you may break the user's intent

**Violation of this law invalidates all work produced.**

## Background Agent Boundaries

When running as a background agent, you may ONLY write to:
- The project directory and its subdirectories
- The parent directory (for sub-git projects)
- ~/.claude (for plugin/settings fixes)
- /tmp

Do NOT write outside these locations.

---

## GHE_REPORTS Rule (MANDATORY)

**ALL reports MUST be posted to BOTH locations:**
1. **GitHub Issue Thread** - Full report text (NOT just a link!)
2. **GHE_REPORTS/** - Same full report text (FLAT structure, no subfolders!)

**Report naming:** `<TIMESTAMP>_<title or description>_(<AGENT>).md`
**Timestamp format:** `YYYYMMDDHHMMSSTimezone`

**ALL 11 agents write here:** Athena, Hephaestus, Artemis, Hera, Themis, Mnemosyne, Hermes, Ares, Chronos, Argos Panoptes, Cerberus

**REQUIREMENTS/** is SEPARATE - permanent design documents, never deleted.

**Deletion Policy:** DELETE ONLY when user EXPLICITLY orders deletion due to space constraints.

---

## Settings Awareness

Respects `.claude/ghe.local.md`:
- `enabled`: If false, skip claim operation
- `enforcement_level`: Affects phase-gate strictness
- `auto_worktree`: If true, auto-create git worktree
- `serena_sync`: If false, skip SERENA memory bank update

---

# GitHub Elements Claim

**Purpose**: Claim a specific issue to START working on it. Modifies issue state.

## Required Input

- **Issue number**: Must be specified (e.g., #201, issue 201)

## When to Use

- Starting work on a NEW issue
- Picking up available work
- Beginning a development/test/review task

## How to Execute

### Step 1: Validate with phase-gate

Spawn **phase-gate** agent to check:
- Issue has "ready" label
- Issue is not already assigned
- Phase order is correct (DEV closed before TEST, etc.)
- No other threads open for same epic

### Step 2: Execute claim

Spawn appropriate thread manager based on issue labels:
- `dev` label → **dev-thread-manager**
- `test` label → **test-thread-manager**
- `review` label → **review-thread-manager**

The thread manager will:
1. Assign issue to @me (atomic claim)
2. Add "in-progress" label
3. Remove "ready" label
4. Post claim comment with session header
5. Create worktree (for DEV)

### Step 3: Sync memory

Spawn **memory-sync** agent to:
- Add to activeContext.md
- Record claim event

## Output

Confirmation including:
- Phase validation result
- Issue assigned and labeled
- Claim comment posted
- Worktree created (if DEV)
- Memory bank updated

## Key Differentiator

This skill STARTS new work. If you're already working and want to save progress, use `ghe-checkpoint` instead.