task-orchestration

# Task Orchestration

**Version:** 2.0.0
**Purpose:** Patterns for using Tasks system in complex multi-phase workflows
**Status:** Production Ready

## Overview

Task orchestration is the practice of using the Tasks system (TaskCreate, TaskUpdate, TaskList, TaskGet) to provide **real-time progress visibility** in complex multi-phase workflows. It transforms opaque "black box" workflows into transparent, trackable processes where users can see:

- What phase is currently executing
- How many phases remain
- Which tasks are pending, in-progress, or completed
- Overall progress percentage
- Iteration counts in loops
- Task dependencies and blocking relationships

This skill provides battle-tested patterns for:
- **Phase initialization** (create complete task list before starting)
- **Task granularity** (how to break phases into trackable tasks)
- **Status transitions** (pending → in_progress → completed)
- **Real-time updates** (mark complete immediately, not batched)
- **Iteration tracking** (progress through loops)
- **Parallel task tracking** (multiple agents executing simultaneously)
- **Task dependencies** (blockedBy/blocks relationships)
- **Cross-session persistence** (resume work across sessions)

Task orchestration is especially valuable for workflows with >5 phases or >10 minutes duration, where users need progress feedback.

## Tasks System API

The Tasks system provides 4 tools:

**TaskCreate**: Create a new task
```
TaskCreate:
  subject: "PHASE 1: Gather requirements"
  description: "Ask user for feature requirements"
  activeForm: "Gathering requirements"
  status: "pending"
  blockedBy: ["prerequisite-task-id"]  // Optional
  owner: "agent-name"                   // Optional
```

**TaskUpdate**: Update task status or fields
```
TaskUpdate: taskId="task-123", status="in_progress"
TaskUpdate: taskId="task-123", status="completed"
TaskUpdate: taskId="task-123", description="Updated description"
```

**TaskList**: View all tasks
```
TaskList  // Shows all t