task-claim

name	task-claim
description	Claim tasks in the s9 database to take ownership and start work
license	MIT
compatibility	opencode
metadata	{"audience":"all-agents","workflow":"task-claiming"}

What I Do

I provide comprehensive instructions for claiming tasks in the s9 task database using the task_claim tool. Use this skill when you need to take ownership of a task and start working on it.

Who Claims Tasks

• Any agent taking ownership of work
• Typically done at start of session
• When picking up available work from the task queue

Tool Syntax

Invoke the task_claim tool with the task ID:

Invoke task_claim tool with task_id="TASK_ID"

Required:

• task_id - The task to claim (e.g., "ENG-H-0037")

Automatic:

• Mission ID - Retrieved automatically from your current session context
• Role - Retrieved automatically from your mission record

The tool automatically determines your mission ID and role from the current OpenCode session, so you don't need to provide them manually.

What Happens When You Claim

1. ✅ Status changes: TODO → UNDERWAY
2. ✅ mission_id set to your mission ID (retrieved automatically from session)
3. ✅ claimed_at timestamp recorded
4. ✅ Markdown file header updated in .opencode/work/tasks/

Example: Claiming a Task

Finding and claiming a task:

1. Find available tasks (using bash to list tasks):

   s9 task list --role Engineer --status TODO
   

2. Invoke the task_claim tool with the task ID:

   Invoke task_claim tool with task_id="ENG-H-0037"
   

   The tool will:

   • Automatically retrieve your mission ID from the current session
   • Automatically retrieve your role from your mission record
   • Claim the task and update its status to UNDERWAY
   • Return confirmation that the task was claimed

3. Verify the claim (optional, using bash):

   s9 task show ENG-H-0037
   

   Output will show:

   Status: UNDERWAY
   Mission: [your-mission-id]
   Claimed: [timestamp]
   

Concurrency Protection

The database prevents race conditions:

• ✅ Only one agent can claim a specific task
• ✅ If two agents try simultaneously, only one succeeds
• ✅ WAL mode allows concurrent reads
• ✅ Atomic claim operations prevent conflicts

Already Claimed Tasks

If a task is already claimed, the tool will return an error:

Error: Task ENG-H-0037 is already claimed by mission 42

What to do:

1. Check which mission claimed it (using bash):

   s9 task show ENG-H-0037
   

2. Coordinate with the other mission/agent if needed

3. Choose a different task and invoke the tool again with the new task ID

Claiming Multiple Tasks

You can claim multiple tasks by invoking the tool multiple times:

Invoke task_claim tool with task_id="ENG-H-0037"
Invoke task_claim tool with task_id="ENG-H-0038"

Best practice: Focus on one task at a time. Only claim multiple if:

• Tasks are small and related
• You plan to work on them in sequence
• They're part of the same epic or feature

Don't:

• Claim many tasks and leave them sitting
• Claim tasks you can't start soon
• Hoard high-priority tasks

Before You Claim

Check Dependencies

s9 task show ENG-H-0038
# Depends on: ENG-H-0037

If task has dependencies:

• ✅ Make sure dependency is complete first
• ❌ Don't claim blocked tasks

Check Priority

s9 task list --priority CRITICAL,HIGH --status TODO

• Prioritize CRITICAL and HIGH tasks
• Check with Administrator before claiming CRITICAL tasks

Check Your Role

Tasks are assigned to specific roles:

• ✅ Usually claim tasks matching your role
• ⚠️ Can claim other roles' tasks if needed (coordinate first)
• ✅ Ask Administrator if unsure

Tips and Best Practices

Do

• ✅ Claim one task at a time (stay focused)
• ✅ Check dependencies before claiming
• ✅ Use the task_claim tool to claim tasks
• ✅ Verify claim succeeded (check tool output or use s9 task show)
• ✅ Start work on task soon after claiming

Don't

• ❌ Don't claim tasks you can't start immediately
• ❌ Don't claim tasks outside your role without coordination
• ❌ Don't claim multiple unrelated tasks
• ❌ Don't claim tasks with incomplete dependencies

Troubleshooting

"Task not found"

• Check task ID spelling and case
• Verify task exists using bash: s9 task list | grep TASK_ID
• Make sure you're using the full task ID (e.g., "ENG-H-0037")

"Task already claimed"

• Someone else is working on it
• Check using bash: s9 task show TASK_ID
• Choose a different task or coordinate with the other mission

"No active mission found"

• The tool cannot find your mission from the session context
• Make sure you initialized your mission with the mission-start skill
• Contact the Director if your mission appears to be corrupted

"Role mismatch"

• Your role doesn't match the task's assigned role
• Check task details using bash: s9 task show TASK_ID
• Either claim a task for your role, or coordinate with Administrator

After Claiming

Once you've claimed a task:

1. Start working on it soon
2. Update progress regularly with task-update skill
3. Close when done with task-close skill

See Also

Related Skills:

• task-query - Finding available tasks to claim
• task-update - Tracking progress on claimed tasks
• task-close - Completing or pausing claimed tasks
• task-management - Overview of task system

Documentation:

• .opencode/data/README.md - Complete s9 system reference