Claude Code 2.1.16 introduces a native Task Management System with four tools:
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TaskCreate: Create new tasks with subject, description, and activeForm
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TaskUpdate: Update status (pending → in_progress → completed), set dependencies
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TaskGet: Retrieve full task details including blockers
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TaskList: View all tasks with status and dependency summary
Tasks enable structured work tracking, parallel coordination, and clear progress visibility.
When to Use
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Breaking down complex multi-step implementations
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Coordinating parallel work across multiple files
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Tracking progress on large features
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Managing dependencies between related changes
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Providing visibility into work status
Key Patterns
1. Task Decomposition
Break complex work into atomic, trackable units:
Feature: Add user authentication
Tasks:
#1. [pending] Create User model
#2. [pending] Add auth endpoints (blockedBy: #1)
#3. [pending] Implement JWT tokens (blockedBy: #2)
#4. [pending] Add auth middleware (blockedBy: #3)
#5. [pending] Write integration tests (blockedBy: #4)
2. Dependency Chains
Use addBlockedBy to create execution order:
// Task #3 cannot start until #1 and #2 complete
{"taskId": "3", "addBlockedBy": ["1", "2"]}
3. Status Workflow
pending → in_progress → completed
↓ ↓
(unblocked) (active)
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pending: Task created but not started
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in_progress: Actively being worked on
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completed: Work finished and verified
4. activeForm Pattern
Provide present-continuous form for spinner display:
| Run tests | Running tests
| Update schema | Updating schema
| Fix authentication | Fixing authentication
Anti-Patterns
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Creating tasks for trivial single-step work
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Circular dependencies (A blocks B, B blocks A)
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Leaving tasks in_progress when blocked
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Not marking tasks completed after finishing
Related Skills
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worktree-coordination- Multi-instance task coordination across git worktrees -
implement- Implementation workflow with task tracking and progress updates -
verify- Verification tasks and completion checklists -
fix-issue- Issue resolution with hypothesis-based RCA tracking -
brainstorming- Design exploration with parallel agent tasks