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Guide Origin: Official | ArcKit Version: [VERSION]

Export your ArcKit product backlog to a Trello board with /arckit:trello. The command reads the JSON output from /arckit:backlog FORMAT=json and creates a fully structured board with sprint lists, labelled cards, and acceptance criteria checklists.

Prerequisites

Requirement How to get it
Backlog JSON file (ARC-*-BKLG-*.json) Run /arckit:backlog FORMAT=json
A Trello account Any plan works
Trello connected to Claude Code One-time sign-in: run /mcp, choose trello, select Authenticate, and sign in to Trello in the browser

ArcKit uses Atlassian's official Trello MCP server, which it bundles as the trello MCP server. You sign in with your Trello account; Claude Code keeps the sign-in in its own credential store. You don't create an API key or token, and ArcKit never sees one. If your organisation manages Trello through Atlassian Administration, an admin may need to allow MCP access for your workspace.

The first time /arckit:trello calls Trello in a session, Claude Code asks you to approve the Trello tools. To stop it asking, add "mcp__plugin_arckit_trello" to permissions.allow in your settings.

Command Patterns

/arckit:trello                                    # default board name from project
/arckit:trello BOARD_NAME="Q1 Sprint Board"       # custom board name
/arckit:trello WORKSPACE="Digital Delivery"      # create in a named workspace

Board Structure

Board: "{Project Name} - Sprint Backlog"
├── List: "Product Backlog"        ← unscheduled/overflow items
├── List: "Sprint 1: Foundation"   ← stories assigned to sprint 1
├── List: "Sprint 2: Core"        ← stories assigned to sprint 2
├── ...                            ← one list per planned sprint
├── List: "In Progress"
└── List: "Done"

Card Format

Field Example
Name STORY-001: Create user account [8pts] · Must Have · Story
Description GDS user story format + metadata
Labels red (Must Have) + blue (Story)
Checklist Acceptance criteria as check items

Card description example:

**As a** new user
**I want** to create an account
**So that** I can access the service

**Story Points**: 8
**Priority**: Must Have
**Type**: Story
**Component**: User Service
**Requirements**: FR-001, NFR-008, NFR-012
**Epic**: EPIC-001 - User Management
**Dependencies**: None

Labels

Cards use the six colour labels every new Trello board comes with. Trello's MCP server can attach labels but can't yet create or rename them (it's on Atlassian's roadmap), so the labels have colours but no names. The board's first card, Label key, explains them, and each card's name and description also state its priority and type.

Colour Meaning
Red Must Have
Orange Should Have
Yellow Could Have
Purple Epic
Blue Story
Green Task

Workflow

Stage Action
1. Generate backlog /arckit:backlog FORMAT=json (or FORMAT=all for markdown + CSV + JSON)
2. Connect Trello (once) /mcp → trello → Authenticate
3. Run export /arckit:trello
4. Review board Open the returned Trello URL
5. Invite team Add team members to the board in Trello
6. Start sprints Drag cards from sprint lists to "In Progress" as work begins

Large Backlogs

Each list, card and checklist item is one Trello tool call, so a 100-story backlog takes a few hundred calls. The command creates one list's cards at a time and reports progress as it goes.

Troubleshooting

Issue Solution
"Trello isn't connected" Run /mcp, choose trello, select Authenticate, then re-run
Trello tools missing Check /mcp lists trello, and that no managed setting blocks it
Workspace access error Your Atlassian admin may need to allow MCP access for the workspace
Labels have no names Expected until Atlassian ships label management; see the Label key card
Some cards failed The summary lists them; re-run with a new BOARD_NAME if you need a clean board

Re-exporting

This command always creates a new board. To re-export:

  1. Archive the old board in Trello
  2. Re-run /arckit:trello

Or use a different board name:

/arckit:trello BOARD_NAME="Sprint Board v2"

Useful References