Task Start

Start working on a task with specified workflow mode: autonomous or assisted.

Usage

code

task.start [id]                    # Assisted mode (default) - requires user approval
task.start [id] --autonomous       # Autonomous mode - AI completes task
task.start [id] --assisted         # Explicit assisted mode

Modes

Assisted Mode (Default)

Workflow: AI implements → STOPS → User approves → User completes

•Agent implements the task
•Agent STOPS and hands back to user
•Agent MUST NOT invoke task-complete
•User reviews work and invokes /task.complete [id] if satisfied

Use for:

•Complex features requiring validation
•User-facing changes
•Changes requiring human judgment
•Quality gates before completion

Autonomous Mode

Workflow: AI implements → AI verifies → AI completes

•Agent implements the task
•Agent verifies acceptance criteria
•Agent invokes task-complete autonomously
•No user approval gate required

Use for:

•Automated workflows (CI/CD pipelines)
•Batch operations
•Well-defined tasks with clear success criteria
•Non-critical refactoring

Steps

•Read task file (.smaqit/tasks/NNN_*.md) to understand requirements
•Determine mode from command arguments (default: assisted)
•Update task status to "In Progress"
•
Store mode in task file as metadata field:
markdown
```
**Mode:** Autonomous | Assisted
```
•Update PLANNING.md to reflect "In Progress" status
•Load workflow rules by reading references/RULES.md
•Begin implementation following task requirements

Task File Format with Mode

markdown

# [Task Title]

**Status:** In Progress
**Mode:** Assisted
**Created:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Started:** YYYY-MM-DD

## Description
[Task description]

## Acceptance Criteria
- [ ] Criterion 1
- [ ] Criterion 2

## Notes
[Additional context]

Critical Rules

⚠️ Read references/RULES.md for complete workflow enforcement rules

For Assisted Mode:

•Agent MUST NOT complete the task autonomously
•Agent MUST stop after implementation and hand back to user
•Only user can invoke /task.complete [id]

For Autonomous Mode:

•Agent MUST verify all acceptance criteria before completing
•Agent invokes task-complete after verification
•Agent should document completion rationale

Examples

Starting an Assisted Task

code

User: /task.start 003
Agent: [reads task 003, sets mode to Assisted, updates status]
Agent: [implements the task]
Agent: "Task 003 implementation complete. Please review and run /task.complete 003 when satisfied."

Starting an Autonomous Task

code

User: /task.start 005 --autonomous
Agent: [reads task 005, sets mode to Autonomous, updates status]
Agent: [implements the task]
Agent: [verifies criteria]
Agent: [invokes task-complete 005]
Agent: "Task 005 completed autonomously. All criteria verified."