diff --git a/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json b/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
index dc6c1db..79d7465 100644
--- a/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
+++ b/.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
       "name": "work-system",
       "source": "./plugins/work-system",
       "description": "Generic task and worktree workflow system for Claude Code. Manage tasks as markdown files, work in isolated git worktrees, and track progress through the full lifecycle.",
-      "version": "1.2.4"
+      "version": "1.2.5"
     },
     {
       "name": "pr-flow",
diff --git a/plugins/work-system/.claude-plugin/plugin.json b/plugins/work-system/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
index 9e27f79..2a5cbee 100644
--- a/plugins/work-system/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
+++ b/plugins/work-system/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "work-system",
   "description": "Generic task and worktree workflow system for Claude Code. Manage tasks as markdown files, work in isolated git worktrees, and track progress through the full lifecycle: create, start, continue, check, close.",
-  "version": "1.2.4",
+  "version": "1.2.5",
   "author": {
     "name": "gering"
   },
diff --git a/plugins/work-system/README.md b/plugins/work-system/README.md
index a95e810..f620b50 100644
--- a/plugins/work-system/README.md
+++ b/plugins/work-system/README.md
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Generic task and worktree workflow system for Claude Code. Manage tasks as markd
 
 ### Tasks
 
-Each task is a markdown file in your project's `tasks/` directory:
+Each task is a markdown file in your project's `tasks/` directory. This is a centralized backlog on the main worktree — `/define` always writes there, even when invoked from inside a linked worktree, so tasks stay visible to `/kickoff` and `/list` and survive `/close`:
 
 ```markdown
 # Add Dark Mode Support
diff --git a/plugins/work-system/scripts/main-repo-path.sh b/plugins/work-system/scripts/main-repo-path.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..bbdad23
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/work-system/scripts/main-repo-path.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# main-repo-path.sh — resolve the main worktree for work-system skills.
+#
+# The shared task backlog (tasks/) lives in the main worktree. A skill invoked
+# from a linked worktree must target the main worktree's tasks/, so it needs
+# the main path and a way to tell the two invocations apart.
+#
+# Subcommands:
+#   path     Print the absolute path of the main worktree (the first
+#            `git worktree list` entry). Robust against paths containing
+#            spaces — strips the porcelain "worktree " prefix without
+#            field-splitting.
+#   linked   Print "linked" if the current directory is inside a linked
+#            worktree, "main" if it is the main worktree. Compares git's own
+#            dir bookkeeping (--git-common-dir vs --git-dir), so it is immune
+#            to symlinked paths rather than string-comparing two path forms.
+#
+# Exits non-zero if not run inside a git repository.
+set -eu
+
+case "${1:-path}" in
+  path)
+    # Porcelain output starts each block with "worktree <path>"; the first
+    # block is the main worktree. Take the first line, drop the prefix.
+    list="$(git worktree list --porcelain)"
+    first="${list%%$'\n'*}"
+    printf '%s\n' "${first#worktree }"
+    ;;
+  linked)
+    common="$(cd "$(git rev-parse --git-common-dir)" && pwd)"
+    gitdir="$(cd "$(git rev-parse --git-dir)" && pwd)"
+    if [ "$common" = "$gitdir" ]; then
+      echo "main"
+    else
+      echo "linked"
+    fi
+    ;;
+  *)
+    echo "usage: ${0##*/} [path|linked]" >&2
+    exit 2
+    ;;
+esac
diff --git a/plugins/work-system/skills/define/SKILL.md b/plugins/work-system/skills/define/SKILL.md
index 72f388d..cd72181 100644
--- a/plugins/work-system/skills/define/SKILL.md
+++ b/plugins/work-system/skills/define/SKILL.md
@@ -11,13 +11,23 @@ user_invocable: true
 
 > Create a new task file from current context and conversation
 
+## Where the task file lands
+
+Task files are a **centralized backlog** on the main worktree, visible to `/kickoff` and `/list`. When `/define` runs from inside a linked worktree, the file must still land in the **main repo's** `tasks/` — otherwise it's isolated on the task branch and lost when `/close` removes the worktree.
+
+Resolve the main repo path once (step 1) and use it for every path below. Never persist a `cd` — Bash CWD leaks across tool calls; use the absolute `<main-repo>` path instead.
+
 ## Arguments
 
 - `$ARGUMENTS` - Optional: brief description of the task
 
 ## Instructions
 
-1. **Gather task information**:
+1. **Resolve the main repo path** (shared helper — handles paths with spaces and symlinks):
+   - Run: `bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/main-repo-path.sh" path` → `<main-repo>` (the main worktree, where the shared `tasks/` backlog lives).
+   - Run: `bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/main-repo-path.sh" linked` → `main` or `linked`. `linked` = invoked from a worktree (the task file still goes to `<main-repo>/tasks/`); `main` = behavior unchanged.
+
+2. **Gather task information**:
 
    If `$ARGUMENTS` provided, use as starting point for the task description.
 
@@ -26,19 +36,19 @@ user_invocable: true
    - "Are there specific files or areas of code involved?"
    - "What are the acceptance criteria?"
 
-2. **Generate task name**:
+3. **Generate task name**:
    - Create a kebab-case name from the description
    - Examples:
      - "Fix the calendar date bug" → `fix-calendar-date-bug`
      - "Add dark mode support" → `add-dark-mode-support`
    - Show proposed name and ask for confirmation
 
-3. **Check for duplicates**:
-   - Run: `ls tasks/ 2>/dev/null | grep -i "<keywords>"`
+4. **Check for duplicates**:
+   - Run: `ls "<main-repo>/tasks/" 2>/dev/null | grep -i "<keywords>"`
    - If `gh` is available: `gh pr list --state open --search "<keywords>" --limit 3`
    - If similar tasks exist, show them and ask if user wants to continue
 
-4. **Create task file**:
+5. **Create task file**:
 
    Template:
    ```markdown
@@ -63,27 +73,28 @@ user_invocable: true
    <Any additional context from the conversation>
    ```
 
-5. **Include conversation context**:
+6. **Include conversation context**:
    - If there was relevant discussion, summarize it in the Notes section
    - If specific code or files were mentioned, add them to Relevant Files
    - If errors or bugs were discussed, include error messages
 
-6. **Write the file**:
-   - Path: `tasks/<task-name>.md`
+7. **Write the file**:
+   - Path: `<main-repo>/tasks/<task-name>.md` (absolute — never `cd` into the main repo to write it)
    - Show the content to user for review
    - Ask: "Create this task file?"
 
-7. **Confirm creation**:
+8. **Confirm creation**:
    ```
-   ✅ Task created: tasks/<task-name>.md
+   ✅ Task created: <main-repo>/tasks/<task-name>.md
 
    Next steps:
    • Start immediately: /kickoff
    • View all tasks: /list
    • Check status later: /status <task-name>
    ```
+   - When step 1 reported `linked`, add: "Written to the main repo backlog, not this worktree."
 
-8. **Optional — Start immediately**:
+9. **Optional — Start immediately**:
    - Ask: "Would you like to start working on this task now?"
    - If yes, proceed with `/kickoff` workflow