# Issue Triage Rubric

This document defines how maintainers triage issues consistently.

## Core type labels

- `bug`: behavior does not match expected behavior.
- `enhancement`: improvement to existing behavior.
- `question`: support or usage request.

Apply exactly one core type label whenever possible.

## Contribution-oriented labels

- `good first issue`: small, well-scoped, low-risk, and has clear acceptance criteria.
- `help wanted` or `help needed`: maintainers welcome external contributions.
- `needs-info`: issue cannot be actioned until reporter provides missing details.

## Suggested triage flow

1. Confirm issue template fields are complete.
2. Add a core type label (`bug`, `enhancement`, or `question`).
3. Add scope/difficulty labels if helpful.
4. Add `needs-info` when reproduction details are missing.
5. Add `good first issue` or `help wanted/help needed` only when issue is ready to build.

## Closing guidance

Close as:

- `duplicate`: issue already tracked elsewhere.
- `invalid`: report is not actionable or not a product issue.
- `wontfix`: acknowledged but not planned.

When closing, include a short reason and a link to related issue/docs when available.
