autonomous-task-executor

# Autonomous Task Executor

Execute tasks from a markdown task list autonomously with intelligent dependency handling, blocker detection, and exponential backoff retry logic.

## Task File Location

**Default location:** `~/tasks.md` (user's home directory)

**Before first execution:**
- Check if `~/tasks.md` exists using: `test -f ~/tasks.md`
- If not, create it with the template structure:
  ```bash
  cat > ~/tasks.md << 'EOF'
  ## Pending

  ## In Progress

  ## Completed

  ## Failed

  EOF
  ```
- User can specify alternative path, but default is always `~/tasks.md`

**Path expansion:**
- Always expand `~` to full home directory path using `$HOME` or `os.path.expanduser()` in scripts
- Example: `~/tasks.md` → `/Users/username/tasks.md`

## Core Workflow

Execute this sequence continuously until all tasks complete or all remaining tasks are blocked:

### 1. Read and Parse Task File

Read the markdown task file from `~/tasks.md` (or user-specified path) once per cycle. Expected format:
```markdown
## Pending
- Task 1
- Task 2 (Depends on: Task 1)

## In Progress
- Currently executing task

## Completed
- Finished task

## Failed
- Failed task (Error: reason)
```

See [task-format.md](references/task-format.md) for complete format reference.

### 2. Find Next Executable Task

Parse the file content to identify the first unblocked pending task:

**Parsing logic:**
- Iterate through lines under `## Pending` section
- For each task line starting with `-`:
  - Check for `(Depends on: X)` - if found, verify X exists in `## Completed` section
  - Check for `(Blocked by: Y)` - if found, task is blocked
  - If no blockers, this is the next executable task

**Iteration behavior:**
- Check each pending task in order
- SKIP blocked tasks, move to next
- Execute FIRST non-blocked task found
- LEAVE blocked tasks in Pending section

**If ALL pending tasks are blocked:**
- Do NOT attempt execution
- Wait 5 minutes
- Restart from step 1 (blockers may be manually resolved)

### 3