claude-task-master/packages/claude-code-plugin/commands/remove-subtask.md

Remove a subtask from its parent task.

Arguments: $ARGUMENTS

Parse subtask ID to remove, with option to convert to standalone task.

Removing Subtasks

Remove a subtask and optionally convert it back to a standalone task.

Argument Parsing

• "remove subtask 5.1"
• "delete 5.1"
• "convert 5.1 to task" → remove and convert
• "5.1 standalone" → convert to standalone

Execution Options

1. Delete Subtask

task-master remove-subtask --id=<parentId.subtaskId>

2. Convert to Standalone

task-master remove-subtask --id=<parentId.subtaskId> --convert

Pre-Removal Checks

1. Validate Subtask

   • Verify subtask exists
   • Check completion status
   • Review dependencies

2. Impact Analysis

   • Other subtasks that depend on it
   • Parent task implications
   • Data that will be lost

Removal Process

For Deletion:

1. Confirm if subtask has work done
2. Update parent task estimates
3. Remove subtask and its data
4. Clean up dependencies

For Conversion:

1. Assign new standalone task ID
2. Preserve all task data
3. Update dependency references
4. Maintain task history

Smart Features

• Warn if subtask is in-progress
• Show impact on parent task
• Preserve important data
• Update related estimates

Example Flows

/taskmaster:remove-subtask 5.1
→ Warning: Subtask #5.1 is in-progress
→ This will delete all subtask data
→ Parent task #5 will be updated
Confirm deletion? (y/n)

/taskmaster:remove-subtask 5.1 convert
→ Converting subtask #5.1 to standalone task #89
→ Preserved: All task data and history
→ Updated: 2 dependency references
→ New task #89 is now independent

Post-Removal

• Update parent task status
• Recalculate estimates
• Show updated hierarchy
• Suggest next actions