# Creating Items

There are four ways to create tracker items in Nimbalyst, from conversational AI to structured YAML.

### From Chat

Ask the AI agent to create items during any session:

> "Create a bug for the login page crash on Safari" "Track this as a feature request: dark mode for the dashboard" "Log a decision: we're using PostgreSQL instead of MongoDB"

The AI determines the appropriate type, sets the status and fields based on your description, and creates the item. Items created this way are automatically linked to the current session.

<figure><img src="/files/NUHv0pGDdP5U3NhozcuY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### From the /track Command

Use `/track` in the chat input for quick inline creation:

```
/track Login page crashes on Safari when clicking forgot password
```

The AI analyzes your description, determines the item type (bug, task, feature, etc.), and creates it in your project's tracker files. This is the fastest path when you know what you want to track.

### Inline in Markdown

Track items directly within any markdown document using `#type[...]` syntax:

```markdown
## Sprint Items

- Fix Safari crash #bug[status:to-do priority:critical]
- Add dark mode toggle #feature[status:in-progress priority:high owner:karl]
- Consider Redis for caching #idea[status:new]
- Use WebSockets over polling #decision[status:decided]
- Migrate to PostgreSQL #task[status:to-do priority:medium]
```

<figure><img src="/files/QdsAlmUpxfU3sYbu4Xtc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Inline items appear in the tracker alongside full-document items. Edit their properties in the markdown text or through the tracker UI -- changes sync both ways.

### From YAML Frontmatter

Add `trackerStatus` frontmatter to any markdown file to make it a tracked item:

```yaml
---
trackerStatus:
  type: plan
title: Database Migration Strategy
status: draft
priority: high
owner: karl@example.com
tags: [backend, database]
---

## Overview

This plan covers migrating from SQLite to PostgreSQL...
```

The tracker system automatically picks up files with `trackerStatus` frontmatter and displays them in the kanban board. Changes to the file update the tracker item, and changes made through the tracker UI update the file.

This approach works well for plans, decisions, and features that deserve their own dedicated document.

### From the Tracker Panel

You can also click the **+New** button in the tracker panel to create an item directly. Select the type, fill in the fields, and the item is created as a markdown file in your tracker directory.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.nimbalyst.com/task-management/creating-items.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.