---
title: Refine the backlog without picking a sprint
description: Sort open items into stale, blocked, and ready against the current code, with no sprint yet.
url: https://openplanr.dev/docs/prompts/refine-the-backlog
updated: 2026-10-06
related:
  - https://openplanr.dev/docs/prompts/pick-the-sprint.md
  - https://openplanr.dev/docs/prompts/audit-plan-drift.md
  - https://openplanr.dev/docs/prompts/clarify-acceptance-criteria.md
---

# Refine the backlog without picking a sprint

Sort open items into stale, blocked, and ready against the current code, with no sprint yet.

## Prompt

Claude Code:

```text
/sprint Refine the open backlog only: mark what is stale, blocked, or ready, and don't create a sprint yet.
```

If /sprint runs another command, use /planr:sprint.

Codex:

```text
$sprint Refine the open backlog only: mark what is stale, blocked, or ready, and don't create a sprint yet.
```

With the OpenPlanr plugin for Codex, use $planr:sprint.

Cursor:

```text
@planr-sprint Refine the open backlog only: mark what is stale, blocked, or ready, and don't create a sprint yet.
```

Cursor applies the planr-sprint rule when you mention it in chat.

## Why this works

Sprint reads each open item in full and checks the code it names before believing its claim. A refine-only run writes the refinement note without creating a sprint, and any run can be repeated and compared with the last one.

## Make it stick

[Plan a feature](https://openplanr.dev/docs/guides/plan.md)