This guide outlines the typical process for using Task Master to manage software development projects.
## Primary Interaction: MCP Server vs. CLI
Task Master offers two primary ways to interact:
1. **MCP Server (Recommended for Integrated Tools)**:
- For AI agents and integrated development environments (like Cursor), interacting via the **MCP server is the preferred method**.
- The MCP server exposes Task Master functionality through a set of tools (e.g., `get_tasks`, `add_subtask`).
- This method offers better performance, structured data exchange, and richer error handling compared to CLI parsing.
- Refer to [`mcp.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/mcp.mdc) for details on the MCP architecture and available tools.
- A comprehensive list and description of MCP tools and their corresponding CLI commands can be found in [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc).
- **Restart the MCP server** if core logic in `scripts/modules` or MCP tool/direct function definitions change.
2. **`task-master` CLI (For Users & Fallback)**:
- The global `task-master` command provides a user-friendly interface for direct terminal interaction.
- It can also serve as a fallback if the MCP server is inaccessible or a specific function isn't exposed via MCP.
- Install globally with `npm install -g task-master-ai` or use locally via `npx task-master-ai ...`.
- The CLI commands often mirror the MCP tools (e.g., `task-master list` corresponds to `get_tasks`).
- Refer to [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc) for a detailed command reference.
- Start new projects by running `init` tool / `task-master init` or `parse_prd` / `task-master parse-prd --input='<prd-file.txt>'` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) to generate initial tasks.json
- Begin coding sessions with `get_tasks` / `task-master list` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) to see current tasks, status, and IDs
- Determine the next task to work on using `next_task` / `task-master next` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)).
- Analyze task complexity with `analyze_complexity` / `task-master analyze-complexity --research` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) before breaking down tasks
- Review complexity report using `complexity_report` / `task-master complexity-report` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)).
- Select tasks based on dependencies (all marked 'done'), priority level, and ID order
- Clarify tasks by checking task files in tasks/ directory or asking for user input
- View specific task details using `get_task` / `task-master show <id>` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) to understand implementation requirements
- Break down complex tasks using `expand_task` / `task-master expand --id=<id>` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) with appropriate flags
- Clear existing subtasks if needed using `clear_subtasks` / `task-master clear-subtasks --id=<id>` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) before regenerating
- Implement code following task details, dependencies, and project standards
- Verify tasks according to test strategies before marking as complete (See [`tests.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/tests.mdc))
- Mark completed tasks with `set_task_status` / `task-master set-status --id=<id> --status=done` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc))
- Update dependent tasks when implementation differs from original plan using `update` / `task-master update --from=<id> --prompt="..."` or `update_task` / `task-master update-task --id=<id> --prompt="..."` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc))
- Add new tasks discovered during implementation using `add_task` / `task-master add-task --prompt="..."` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)).
- Add new subtasks as needed using `add_subtask` / `task-master add-subtask --parent=<id> --title="..."` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)).
- Append notes or details to subtasks using `update_subtask` / `task-master update-subtask --id=<subtaskId> --prompt='Add implementation notes here...\nMore details...'` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)).
- Generate task files with `generate` / `task-master generate` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) after updating tasks.json
- Maintain valid dependency structure with `add_dependency`/`remove_dependency` tools or `task-master add-dependency`/`remove-dependency` commands, `validate_dependencies` / `task-master validate-dependencies`, and `fix_dependencies` / `task-master fix-dependencies` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) when needed
- Respect dependency chains and task priorities when selecting work
- Report progress regularly using `get_tasks` / `task-master list`
## Task Complexity Analysis
- Run `analyze_complexity` / `task-master analyze-complexity --research` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) for comprehensive analysis
- Review complexity report via `complexity_report` / `task-master complexity-report` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) for a formatted, readable version.
- Focus on tasks with highest complexity scores (8-10) for detailed breakdown
- Use analysis results to determine appropriate subtask allocation
- Note that reports are automatically used by the `expand` tool/command
## Task Breakdown Process
- For tasks with complexity analysis, use `expand_task` / `task-master expand --id=<id>` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc))
- Otherwise use `expand_task` / `task-master expand --id=<id> --num=<number>`
- Add `--research` flag to leverage Perplexity AI for research-backed expansion
- Use `--prompt="<context>"` to provide additional context when needed
- Review and adjust generated subtasks as necessary
- Use `--all` flag with `expand` or `expand_all` to expand multiple pending tasks at once
- If subtasks need regeneration, clear them first with `clear_subtasks` / `task-master clear-subtasks` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)).
## Implementation Drift Handling
- When implementation differs significantly from planned approach
- When future tasks need modification due to current implementation choices
- Use `update` / `task-master update --from=<futureTaskId> --prompt='<explanation>\nUpdate context...'` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) to update multiple future tasks.
- Use `update_task` / `task-master update-task --id=<taskId> --prompt='<explanation>\nUpdate context...'` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) to update a single specific task.
- Recommended before starting any new development work
- Respects your project's dependency structure
- Ensures tasks are completed in the appropriate sequence
- Provides ready-to-use commands for common task actions
## Viewing Specific Task Details
- Run `get_task` / `task-master show <id>` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) to view a specific task
- Use dot notation for subtasks: `task-master show 1.2` (shows subtask 2 of task 1)
- Displays comprehensive information similar to the next command, but for a specific task
- For parent tasks, shows all subtasks and their current status
- For subtasks, shows parent task information and relationship
- Provides contextual suggested actions appropriate for the specific task
- Useful for examining task details before implementation or checking status
## Managing Task Dependencies
- Use `add_dependency` / `task-master add-dependency --id=<id> --depends-on=<id>` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) to add a dependency
- Use `remove_dependency` / `task-master remove-dependency --id=<id> --depends-on=<id>` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) to remove a dependency
- The system prevents circular dependencies and duplicate dependency entries
- Dependencies are checked for existence before being added or removed
- Task files are automatically regenerated after dependency changes
- Dependencies are visualized with status indicators in task listings and files
Once a task has been broken down into subtasks using `expand_task` or similar methods, follow this iterative process for implementation:
1. **Understand the Goal (Preparation):**
* Use `get_task` / `task-master show <subtaskId>` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)) to thoroughly understand the specific goals and requirements of the subtask.
* This is the first attempt at creating a concrete implementation plan.
* Explore the codebase to identify the precise files, functions, and even specific lines of code that will need modification.
* Determine the intended code changes (diffs) and their locations.
* Gather *all* relevant details from this exploration phase.
3. **Log the Plan:**
* Run `update_subtask` / `task-master update-subtask --id=<subtaskId> --prompt='<detailed plan>'` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)).
* Provide the *complete and detailed* findings from the exploration phase in the prompt. Include file paths, line numbers, proposed diffs, reasoning, and any potential challenges identified. Do not omit details. The goal is to create a rich, timestamped log within the subtask's `details`.
4. **Verify the Plan:**
* Run `get_task` / `task-master show <subtaskId>` again to confirm that the detailed implementation plan has been successfully appended to the subtask's details.
5. **Begin Implementation:**
* Set the subtask status using `set_task_status` / `task-master set-status --id=<subtaskId> --status=in-progress` (see [`taskmaster.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/taskmaster.mdc)).
* Start coding based on the logged plan.
6. **Refine and Log Progress (Iteration 2+):**
* As implementation progresses, you will encounter challenges, discover nuances, or confirm successful approaches.
* **Before appending new information**: Briefly review the *existing* details logged in the subtask (using `get_task` or recalling from context) to ensure the update adds fresh insights and avoids redundancy.
* **Regularly** use `update_subtask` / `task-master update-subtask --id=<subtaskId> --prompt='<update details>\n- What worked...\n- What didn't work...'` to append new findings.
* **Crucially, log:**
* What worked ("fundamental truths" discovered).
* What didn't work and why (to avoid repeating mistakes).
* Specific code snippets or configurations that were successful.
* Decisions made, especially if confirmed with user input.
* Any deviations from the initial plan and the reasoning.
* The objective is to continuously enrich the subtask's details, creating a log of the implementation journey that helps the AI (and human developers) learn, adapt, and avoid repeating errors.
* Once the implementation for the subtask is functionally complete, review all code changes and the relevant chat history.
* Identify any new or modified code patterns, conventions, or best practices established during the implementation.
* Create new or update existing Cursor rules in the `.cursor/rules/` directory to capture these patterns, following the guidelines in [`cursor_rules.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/cursor_rules.mdc) and [`self_improve.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/self_improve.mdc).
8. **Mark Task Complete:**
* After verifying the implementation and updating any necessary rules, mark the subtask as completed: `set_task_status` / `task-master set-status --id=<subtaskId> --status=done`.
9. **Commit Changes (If using Git):**
* Stage the relevant code changes and any updated/new rule files (`git add .`).
* Craft a comprehensive Git commit message summarizing the work done for the subtask, including both code implementation and any rule adjustments.
* Execute the commit command directly in the terminal (e.g., `git commit -m 'feat(module): Implement feature X for subtask <subtaskId>\n\n- Details about changes...\n- Updated rule Y for pattern Z'`).
* Consider if a Changeset is needed according to [`changeset.mdc`](mdc:.cursor/rules/changeset.mdc). If so, run `npm run changeset`, stage the generated file, and amend the commit or create a new one.
10. **Proceed to Next Subtask:**
* Identify the next subtask in the dependency chain (e.g., using `next_task` / `task-master next`) and repeat this iterative process starting from step 1.
