Add prerequisites while capturing¶

This guide captures a new task that depends on an existing open task. & writes the edge on the new task's Depends-On line. * is the reverse: the named existing task depends on the captured one.

Before you start¶

Install the CLI and point it at your vault. Have an existing open task with a stable block id, for example Prep the bench @workshop^prep. Mac Capture submits the same draft through bob capture.

1. Preview a dependent capture¶

bob capture --dry-run 'Sand the bench @workshop^sand &workshop:prep'

Output

[dry-run] ok would capture  workshop.md
  - [?] #task Sand the bench [created::2026-10-20] [id:: workshop__sand] [dependsOn:: workshop__prep] ^sand
  ⛓ would depend on "Prep the bench"  workshop.md ^prep  [ ] Ready

Confirm the preview names workshop.md, the new ^sand id, and the prerequisite ^prep. An unfinished &prep picker is refused; type a complete &note:block-id. Quote the draft so the shell leaves & alone.

2. Submit and confirm the Depends-On line¶

bob capture 'Sand the bench @workshop^sand &workshop:prep'

Output

✓ captured  workshop.md
  - [?] #task Sand the bench [created::2026-10-20] [id:: workshop__sand] [dependsOn:: workshop__prep] ^sand
  ⛓ depends on "Prep the bench"  workshop.md ^prep  [ ] Ready

Open workshop.md and confirm the new task is [?] with a first child:

- [?] #task Sand the bench [created::2026-10-20] [id:: workshop__sand] [dependsOn:: workshop__prep] ^sand
    - ⛓️ **DEPENDS ON:** [[#^prep]]

The Depends-On child is the source of truth; the [dependsOn::] field is derived. The prerequisite also gets a generated BLOCKS mirror.

On a Mac, type the same draft in the capture panel, confirm the live preview, and submit. The panel hides only after bob reports success.

3. Choose `&` or `*` by direction¶

&workshop:prep means the captured task waits on ^prep. *workshop:sand means ^sand waits on the captured task (quote * on the shell). Exact token rules live in Capture syntax.

To add a prerequisite to an existing owner with no new task:

bob capture '^workshop:sand &workshop:prep'

If it goes wrong¶

An unknown note or block id fails the item and rolls the whole draft back. Fix the &note:block-id spelling (&projects/foo:bar for a nested note). A mid-word & is ordinary text. If Mac Capture stays open, the preview still has an error; complete the & target and submit again.