From 9cf015933582acc40213fe33035df74e7e96eddc Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Copilot <copilot@github.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2026 20:30:09 +0300
Subject: [PATCH] fix(triage): slugify agent names for labels + pre-create
 missing labels (#784)
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Bug 1: Watch triage derived labels from display names ('Steve Rogers' →
'squad:steve rogers') instead of directory slugs ('squad:steve-rogers').
Fix: Added shared slugify() utility, applied across triage.ts, templates,
and label sync workflows.

Bug 2: gh issue edit --add-label fails with exit code 1 when label doesn't
exist. Watch swallowed the error silently.
Fix: Added ensureTag() to PlatformAdapter + pre-create all squad:{member}
labels at watch startup.

12 new tests: slugify utility (10) + triage label verification (2).
All 41 tests pass. Build clean.

Closes #784

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 .changeset/fix-triage-label-slug.md           |  8 ++++
 .github/workflows/squad-triage.yml            |  6 ++-
 .github/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml       |  4 +-
 .squad-templates/ralph-triage.js              |  4 +-
 .squad-templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml   |  6 ++-
 .../workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml           |  4 +-
 index.js                                      |  4 +-
 .../squad-cli/src/cli/commands/watch/index.ts | 13 ++++++
 packages/squad-cli/templates/ralph-triage.js  |  4 +-
 .../templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml      |  6 ++-
 .../templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml |  4 +-
 packages/squad-sdk/src/platform/github.ts     | 11 +++++
 packages/squad-sdk/src/platform/types.ts      |  3 ++
 packages/squad-sdk/src/ralph/triage.ts        |  5 ++-
 packages/squad-sdk/src/utils/slugify.ts       | 15 +++++++
 packages/squad-sdk/templates/ralph-triage.js  |  4 +-
 .../templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml      |  6 ++-
 .../templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml |  4 +-
 templates/ralph-triage.js                     |  4 +-
 templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml          |  6 ++-
 templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml     |  4 +-
 test/ralph-triage.test.ts                     | 28 ++++++++++++
 test/slugify.test.ts                          | 45 +++++++++++++++++++
 23 files changed, 177 insertions(+), 21 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 .changeset/fix-triage-label-slug.md
 create mode 100644 packages/squad-sdk/src/utils/slugify.ts
 create mode 100644 test/slugify.test.ts

diff --git a/.changeset/fix-triage-label-slug.md b/.changeset/fix-triage-label-slug.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..60fb4ec81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/fix-triage-label-slug.md
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+---
+'@bradygaster/squad-sdk': patch
+'@bradygaster/squad-cli': patch
+---
+
+Fix triage label slug derivation: use `slugify()` instead of `toLowerCase()` so multi-word agent names produce valid GitHub labels (e.g. "Steve Rogers" → `squad:steve-rogers` instead of `squad:steve rogers`).
+
+Pre-create all `squad:{member}` labels at watch startup via `ensureTag()` so `gh issue edit --add-label` never fails on missing labels.
diff --git a/.github/workflows/squad-triage.yml b/.github/workflows/squad-triage.yml
index 613d3da02..ecc946645 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/squad-triage.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/squad-triage.yml
@@ -135,9 +135,11 @@ jobs:
               return;
             }
 
+            function slugify(t) { return t.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
             // Build triage context
             const memberList = members.map(m =>
-              `- **${m.name}** (${m.role}) → label: \`squad:${m.name.toLowerCase()}\``
+              `- **${m.name}** (${m.role}) → label: \`squad:${slugify(m.name)}\``
             ).join('\n');
 
             // Determine best assignee based on issue content and routing
@@ -214,7 +216,7 @@ jobs:
             }
 
             const isCopilot = assignedMember.name === '@copilot';
-            const assignLabel = isCopilot ? 'squad:copilot' : `squad:${assignedMember.name.toLowerCase()}`;
+            const assignLabel = isCopilot ? 'squad:copilot' : `squad:${slugify(assignedMember.name)}`;
 
             // Add the member-specific label
             await github.rest.issues.addLabels({
diff --git a/.github/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml b/.github/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
index fbcfd9cc2..699fc680f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
@@ -103,6 +103,8 @@ jobs:
               { name: 'priority:p2', color: 'FBCA04', description: 'Next sprint' }
             ];
 
+            function slugify(t) { return t.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
             // Ensure the base "squad" triage label exists
             const labels = [
               { name: 'squad', color: SQUAD_COLOR, description: 'Squad triage inbox — Lead will assign to a member' }
@@ -110,7 +112,7 @@ jobs:
 
             for (const member of members) {
               labels.push({
-                name: `squad:${member.name.toLowerCase()}`,
+                name: `squad:${slugify(member.name)}`,
                 color: MEMBER_COLOR,
                 description: `Assigned to ${member.name} (${member.role})`
               });
diff --git a/.squad-templates/ralph-triage.js b/.squad-templates/ralph-triage.js
index cf3023961..0f533ee48 100644
--- a/.squad-templates/ralph-triage.js
+++ b/.squad-templates/ralph-triage.js
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ function normalizeEol(content) {
   return content.replace(/\r\n/g, '\n').replace(/\r/g, '\n');
 }
 
+function slugify(text) { return text.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
 function parseRoutingRules(routingMd) {
   const table = parseTableSection(routingMd, /^##\s*work\s*type\s*(?:→|->)\s*agent\b/i);
   if (!table) return [];
@@ -124,7 +126,7 @@ function parseRoster(teamMd) {
     members.push({
       name,
       role,
-      label: `squad:${name.toLowerCase()}`,
+      label: `squad:${slugify(name)}`,
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/.squad-templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml b/.squad-templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
index a58be9b29..d118a2813 100644
--- a/.squad-templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
+++ b/.squad-templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
@@ -110,9 +110,11 @@ jobs:
               return;
             }
 
+            function slugify(t) { return t.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
             // Build triage context
             const memberList = members.map(m =>
-              `- **${m.name}** (${m.role}) → label: \`squad:${m.name.toLowerCase()}\``
+              `- **${m.name}** (${m.role}) → label: \`squad:${slugify(m.name)}\``
             ).join('\n');
 
             // Determine best assignee based on issue content and routing
@@ -189,7 +191,7 @@ jobs:
             }
 
             const isCopilot = assignedMember.name === '@copilot';
-            const assignLabel = isCopilot ? 'squad:copilot' : `squad:${assignedMember.name.toLowerCase()}`;
+            const assignLabel = isCopilot ? 'squad:copilot' : `squad:${slugify(assignedMember.name)}`;
 
             // Add the member-specific label
             await github.rest.issues.addLabels({
diff --git a/.squad-templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml b/.squad-templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
index fbcfd9cc2..699fc680f 100644
--- a/.squad-templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
+++ b/.squad-templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
@@ -103,6 +103,8 @@ jobs:
               { name: 'priority:p2', color: 'FBCA04', description: 'Next sprint' }
             ];
 
+            function slugify(t) { return t.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
             // Ensure the base "squad" triage label exists
             const labels = [
               { name: 'squad', color: SQUAD_COLOR, description: 'Squad triage inbox — Lead will assign to a member' }
@@ -110,7 +112,7 @@ jobs:
 
             for (const member of members) {
               labels.push({
-                name: `squad:${member.name.toLowerCase()}`,
+                name: `squad:${slugify(member.name)}`,
                 color: MEMBER_COLOR,
                 description: `Assigned to ${member.name} (${member.role})`
               });
diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 66646fb78..3b0a6193c 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -272,6 +272,8 @@ if (cmd === 'watch') {
 
   const content = fs.readFileSync(teamMd, 'utf8');
 
+  function slugify(t) { return t.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
   // Parse members from roster
   function parseMembers(text) {
     const lines = text.split('\n');
@@ -283,7 +285,7 @@ if (cmd === 'watch') {
       if (inMembersTable && line.startsWith('|') && !line.includes('---') && !line.includes('Name')) {
         const cells = line.split('|').map(c => c.trim()).filter(Boolean);
         if (cells.length >= 2 && !['Scribe', 'Ralph'].includes(cells[0])) {
-          members.push({ name: cells[0], role: cells[1], label: `squad:${cells[0].toLowerCase()}` });
+          members.push({ name: cells[0], role: cells[1], label: `squad:${slugify(cells[0])}` });
         }
       }
     }
diff --git a/packages/squad-cli/src/cli/commands/watch/index.ts b/packages/squad-cli/src/cli/commands/watch/index.ts
index 5f1bad662..ea4e53204 100644
--- a/packages/squad-cli/src/cli/commands/watch/index.ts
+++ b/packages/squad-cli/src/cli/commands/watch/index.ts
@@ -662,6 +662,19 @@ export async function runWatch(dest: string, options: WatchOptions | WatchConfig
     fatal('No squad members found in team.md');
   }
 
+  // Pre-create squad member labels so addTag never fails on missing labels
+  if (adapter.ensureTag) {
+    for (const member of roster) {
+      try {
+        await adapter.ensureTag(member.label, { color: 'd4c5f9', description: `Squad triage: ${member.name}` });
+      } catch { /* best-effort — continue if label creation fails */ }
+    }
+    try {
+      await adapter.ensureTag('squad:copilot', { color: 'd4c5f9', description: 'Squad triage: Copilot coding agent' });
+    } catch { /* best-effort */ }
+    console.log(`${DIM}Labels: ensured ${roster.length + 1} squad labels exist${RESET}`);
+  }
+
   const hasCopilot = content.includes('🤖 Coding Agent') || content.includes('@copilot');
   const autoAssign = content.includes('<!-- copilot-auto-assign: true -->');
   const monitorSessionId = 'ralph-watch';
diff --git a/packages/squad-cli/templates/ralph-triage.js b/packages/squad-cli/templates/ralph-triage.js
index cf3023961..0f533ee48 100644
--- a/packages/squad-cli/templates/ralph-triage.js
+++ b/packages/squad-cli/templates/ralph-triage.js
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ function normalizeEol(content) {
   return content.replace(/\r\n/g, '\n').replace(/\r/g, '\n');
 }
 
+function slugify(text) { return text.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
 function parseRoutingRules(routingMd) {
   const table = parseTableSection(routingMd, /^##\s*work\s*type\s*(?:→|->)\s*agent\b/i);
   if (!table) return [];
@@ -124,7 +126,7 @@ function parseRoster(teamMd) {
     members.push({
       name,
       role,
-      label: `squad:${name.toLowerCase()}`,
+      label: `squad:${slugify(name)}`,
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/squad-cli/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml b/packages/squad-cli/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
index a58be9b29..d118a2813 100644
--- a/packages/squad-cli/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
+++ b/packages/squad-cli/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
@@ -110,9 +110,11 @@ jobs:
               return;
             }
 
+            function slugify(t) { return t.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
             // Build triage context
             const memberList = members.map(m =>
-              `- **${m.name}** (${m.role}) → label: \`squad:${m.name.toLowerCase()}\``
+              `- **${m.name}** (${m.role}) → label: \`squad:${slugify(m.name)}\``
             ).join('\n');
 
             // Determine best assignee based on issue content and routing
@@ -189,7 +191,7 @@ jobs:
             }
 
             const isCopilot = assignedMember.name === '@copilot';
-            const assignLabel = isCopilot ? 'squad:copilot' : `squad:${assignedMember.name.toLowerCase()}`;
+            const assignLabel = isCopilot ? 'squad:copilot' : `squad:${slugify(assignedMember.name)}`;
 
             // Add the member-specific label
             await github.rest.issues.addLabels({
diff --git a/packages/squad-cli/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml b/packages/squad-cli/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
index fbcfd9cc2..699fc680f 100644
--- a/packages/squad-cli/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
+++ b/packages/squad-cli/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
@@ -103,6 +103,8 @@ jobs:
               { name: 'priority:p2', color: 'FBCA04', description: 'Next sprint' }
             ];
 
+            function slugify(t) { return t.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
             // Ensure the base "squad" triage label exists
             const labels = [
               { name: 'squad', color: SQUAD_COLOR, description: 'Squad triage inbox — Lead will assign to a member' }
@@ -110,7 +112,7 @@ jobs:
 
             for (const member of members) {
               labels.push({
-                name: `squad:${member.name.toLowerCase()}`,
+                name: `squad:${slugify(member.name)}`,
                 color: MEMBER_COLOR,
                 description: `Assigned to ${member.name} (${member.role})`
               });
diff --git a/packages/squad-sdk/src/platform/github.ts b/packages/squad-sdk/src/platform/github.ts
index f4ac6dca7..c3efb6424 100644
--- a/packages/squad-sdk/src/platform/github.ts
+++ b/packages/squad-sdk/src/platform/github.ts
@@ -128,6 +128,17 @@ export class GitHubAdapter implements PlatformAdapter {
     this.gh(['issue', 'edit', String(workItemId), '--repo', this.repoFlag, '--add-label', tag]);
   }
 
+  async ensureTag(tag: string, options?: { color?: string; description?: string }): Promise<void> {
+    const args = ['label', 'create', tag, '--repo', this.repoFlag, '--force'];
+    if (options?.color) args.push('--color', options.color);
+    if (options?.description) args.push('--description', options.description);
+    try {
+      this.gh(args);
+    } catch {
+      // Label already exists or creation failed — continue either way
+    }
+  }
+
   async removeTag(workItemId: number, tag: string): Promise<void> {
     this.gh(['issue', 'edit', String(workItemId), '--repo', this.repoFlag, '--remove-label', tag]);
   }
diff --git a/packages/squad-sdk/src/platform/types.ts b/packages/squad-sdk/src/platform/types.ts
index 1bc6ca639..a28a8e4c5 100644
--- a/packages/squad-sdk/src/platform/types.ts
+++ b/packages/squad-sdk/src/platform/types.ts
@@ -50,6 +50,9 @@ export interface PlatformAdapter {
   removeTag(workItemId: number, tag: string): Promise<void>;
   addComment(workItemId: number, comment: string): Promise<void>;
 
+  /** Ensure a tag/label exists (creates it if missing). No-op on platforms with auto-created tags. */
+  ensureTag?(tag: string, options?: { color?: string; description?: string }): Promise<void>;
+
   // Pull Requests
   listPullRequests(options: { status?: string; limit?: number }): Promise<PullRequest[]>;
   createPullRequest(options: {
diff --git a/packages/squad-sdk/src/ralph/triage.ts b/packages/squad-sdk/src/ralph/triage.ts
index f207f13b8..e9b826a44 100644
--- a/packages/squad-sdk/src/ralph/triage.ts
+++ b/packages/squad-sdk/src/ralph/triage.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 import { normalizeEol } from '../utils/normalize-eol.js';
+import { slugify } from '../utils/slugify.js';
+
+export { slugify } from '../utils/slugify.js';
 
 /** Parsed routing rule from routing.md */
 export interface RoutingRule {
@@ -118,7 +121,7 @@ export function parseRoster(teamMd: string): TeamMember[] {
     members.push({
       name,
       role,
-      label: `squad:${name.toLowerCase()}`,
+      label: `squad:${slugify(name)}`,
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/squad-sdk/src/utils/slugify.ts b/packages/squad-sdk/src/utils/slugify.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ad60a54e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/squad-sdk/src/utils/slugify.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+/**
+ * Convert a display name to a URL/label-safe slug.
+ *
+ * "Steve Rogers"               → "steve-rogers"
+ * "Tony Stark (Iron Man)"      → "tony-stark-iron-man"
+ * "Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange)" → "doctor-strange-stephen-strange"
+ * "Thor"                       → "thor"
+ * "already-slugified"          → "already-slugified"
+ */
+export function slugify(name: string): string {
+  return name
+    .toLowerCase()
+    .replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-')
+    .replace(/^-|-$/g, '');
+}
diff --git a/packages/squad-sdk/templates/ralph-triage.js b/packages/squad-sdk/templates/ralph-triage.js
index cf3023961..0f533ee48 100644
--- a/packages/squad-sdk/templates/ralph-triage.js
+++ b/packages/squad-sdk/templates/ralph-triage.js
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ function normalizeEol(content) {
   return content.replace(/\r\n/g, '\n').replace(/\r/g, '\n');
 }
 
+function slugify(text) { return text.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
 function parseRoutingRules(routingMd) {
   const table = parseTableSection(routingMd, /^##\s*work\s*type\s*(?:→|->)\s*agent\b/i);
   if (!table) return [];
@@ -124,7 +126,7 @@ function parseRoster(teamMd) {
     members.push({
       name,
       role,
-      label: `squad:${name.toLowerCase()}`,
+      label: `squad:${slugify(name)}`,
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/squad-sdk/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml b/packages/squad-sdk/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
index a58be9b29..d118a2813 100644
--- a/packages/squad-sdk/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
+++ b/packages/squad-sdk/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
@@ -110,9 +110,11 @@ jobs:
               return;
             }
 
+            function slugify(t) { return t.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
             // Build triage context
             const memberList = members.map(m =>
-              `- **${m.name}** (${m.role}) → label: \`squad:${m.name.toLowerCase()}\``
+              `- **${m.name}** (${m.role}) → label: \`squad:${slugify(m.name)}\``
             ).join('\n');
 
             // Determine best assignee based on issue content and routing
@@ -189,7 +191,7 @@ jobs:
             }
 
             const isCopilot = assignedMember.name === '@copilot';
-            const assignLabel = isCopilot ? 'squad:copilot' : `squad:${assignedMember.name.toLowerCase()}`;
+            const assignLabel = isCopilot ? 'squad:copilot' : `squad:${slugify(assignedMember.name)}`;
 
             // Add the member-specific label
             await github.rest.issues.addLabels({
diff --git a/packages/squad-sdk/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml b/packages/squad-sdk/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
index fbcfd9cc2..699fc680f 100644
--- a/packages/squad-sdk/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
+++ b/packages/squad-sdk/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
@@ -103,6 +103,8 @@ jobs:
               { name: 'priority:p2', color: 'FBCA04', description: 'Next sprint' }
             ];
 
+            function slugify(t) { return t.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
             // Ensure the base "squad" triage label exists
             const labels = [
               { name: 'squad', color: SQUAD_COLOR, description: 'Squad triage inbox — Lead will assign to a member' }
@@ -110,7 +112,7 @@ jobs:
 
             for (const member of members) {
               labels.push({
-                name: `squad:${member.name.toLowerCase()}`,
+                name: `squad:${slugify(member.name)}`,
                 color: MEMBER_COLOR,
                 description: `Assigned to ${member.name} (${member.role})`
               });
diff --git a/templates/ralph-triage.js b/templates/ralph-triage.js
index cf3023961..0f533ee48 100644
--- a/templates/ralph-triage.js
+++ b/templates/ralph-triage.js
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ function normalizeEol(content) {
   return content.replace(/\r\n/g, '\n').replace(/\r/g, '\n');
 }
 
+function slugify(text) { return text.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
 function parseRoutingRules(routingMd) {
   const table = parseTableSection(routingMd, /^##\s*work\s*type\s*(?:→|->)\s*agent\b/i);
   if (!table) return [];
@@ -124,7 +126,7 @@ function parseRoster(teamMd) {
     members.push({
       name,
       role,
-      label: `squad:${name.toLowerCase()}`,
+      label: `squad:${slugify(name)}`,
     });
   }
 
diff --git a/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml b/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
index a58be9b29..d118a2813 100644
--- a/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
+++ b/templates/workflows/squad-triage.yml
@@ -110,9 +110,11 @@ jobs:
               return;
             }
 
+            function slugify(t) { return t.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
             // Build triage context
             const memberList = members.map(m =>
-              `- **${m.name}** (${m.role}) → label: \`squad:${m.name.toLowerCase()}\``
+              `- **${m.name}** (${m.role}) → label: \`squad:${slugify(m.name)}\``
             ).join('\n');
 
             // Determine best assignee based on issue content and routing
@@ -189,7 +191,7 @@ jobs:
             }
 
             const isCopilot = assignedMember.name === '@copilot';
-            const assignLabel = isCopilot ? 'squad:copilot' : `squad:${assignedMember.name.toLowerCase()}`;
+            const assignLabel = isCopilot ? 'squad:copilot' : `squad:${slugify(assignedMember.name)}`;
 
             // Add the member-specific label
             await github.rest.issues.addLabels({
diff --git a/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml b/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
index fbcfd9cc2..699fc680f 100644
--- a/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
+++ b/templates/workflows/sync-squad-labels.yml
@@ -103,6 +103,8 @@ jobs:
               { name: 'priority:p2', color: 'FBCA04', description: 'Next sprint' }
             ];
 
+            function slugify(t) { return t.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g, '-').replace(/^-|-$/g, ''); }
+
             // Ensure the base "squad" triage label exists
             const labels = [
               { name: 'squad', color: SQUAD_COLOR, description: 'Squad triage inbox — Lead will assign to a member' }
@@ -110,7 +112,7 @@ jobs:
 
             for (const member of members) {
               labels.push({
-                name: `squad:${member.name.toLowerCase()}`,
+                name: `squad:${slugify(member.name)}`,
                 color: MEMBER_COLOR,
                 description: `Assigned to ${member.name} (${member.role})`
               });
diff --git a/test/ralph-triage.test.ts b/test/ralph-triage.test.ts
index 2bf366083..925f4393e 100644
--- a/test/ralph-triage.test.ts
+++ b/test/ralph-triage.test.ts
@@ -51,6 +51,34 @@ describe('ralph triage parser helpers', () => {
       expect(roster).toEqual([{ name: 'Alpha', role: 'Developer', label: 'squad:alpha' }]);
     });
 
+    it('slugifies multi-word names into labels', () => {
+      const multiWord = [
+        '## Members',
+        '',
+        '| Name | Role |',
+        '|------|------|',
+        '| Steve Rogers | Lead |',
+        '| Tony Stark | Engineer |',
+      ].join('\n');
+
+      const roster = parseRoster(multiWord);
+      expect(roster[0]!.label).toBe('squad:steve-rogers');
+      expect(roster[1]!.label).toBe('squad:tony-stark');
+    });
+
+    it('slugifies names with parentheses into labels', () => {
+      const withParens = [
+        '## Members',
+        '',
+        '| Name | Role |',
+        '|------|------|',
+        '| Tony Stark (Iron Man) | Engineer |',
+      ].join('\n');
+
+      const roster = parseRoster(withParens);
+      expect(roster[0]!.label).toBe('squad:tony-stark-iron-man');
+    });
+
     it('filters out Scribe and Ralph', () => {
       const roster = parseRoster(TEAM_MD);
       expect(roster.some((member) => member.name === 'Scribe')).toBe(false);
diff --git a/test/slugify.test.ts b/test/slugify.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bf54c4c16
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/slugify.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
+import { slugify } from '../packages/squad-sdk/src/utils/slugify.js';
+
+describe('slugify', () => {
+  it('slugifies "Steve Rogers" to "steve-rogers"', () => {
+    expect(slugify('Steve Rogers')).toBe('steve-rogers');
+  });
+
+  it('slugifies "Tony Stark (Iron Man)" to "tony-stark-iron-man"', () => {
+    expect(slugify('Tony Stark (Iron Man)')).toBe('tony-stark-iron-man');
+  });
+
+  it('slugifies "Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow)" correctly', () => {
+    expect(slugify('Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow)')).toBe('natasha-romanoff-black-widow');
+  });
+
+  it('slugifies single-word names', () => {
+    expect(slugify('Thor')).toBe('thor');
+  });
+
+  it('slugifies "Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange)"', () => {
+    expect(slugify('Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange)')).toBe('doctor-strange-stephen-strange');
+  });
+
+  it('handles names that are already slugified', () => {
+    expect(slugify('steve-rogers')).toBe('steve-rogers');
+  });
+
+  it('handles Scribe and Ralph (exempt names)', () => {
+    expect(slugify('Scribe')).toBe('scribe');
+    expect(slugify('Ralph')).toBe('ralph');
+  });
+
+  it('handles leading/trailing special characters', () => {
+    expect(slugify('  --Alpha--  ')).toBe('alpha');
+  });
+
+  it('collapses consecutive non-alphanumeric characters', () => {
+    expect(slugify('a!!!b...c')).toBe('a-b-c');
+  });
+
+  it('returns empty string for empty input', () => {
+    expect(slugify('')).toBe('');
+  });
+});