task-card-manual

# task_card manual `task_card` is one channel-neutral producer per agent: it writes the full body to `taskcard/taskcard.md` and exact `active`/`inactive` to `taskcard/status`. ## First action Routine schema-sufficient calls do not need this manual. For meaningful long-running, multi-step, or parallel work, start a truthful watch: ```python task_card(action="start", input={"renderer_path": "renderer.py"}, reasoning="publish truthful progress for the long-running work") ``` Use `action`, strict action `input`, and root `reasoning`; root `summarize` is optional presentation control (leave it false for exact manual text or paths). `renderer_path` must resolve after symlink resolution to an existing regular Python file inside the working directory. It must exit successfully with nonempty stdout, which is the full body. Over-limit output is refused, not truncated; the producer atomically writes the body before exact `active`. Only one watch is allowed. Skip quick single-step or ritual work and any renderer that cannot stay truthful. ## Lifecycle decisions Use the schema for action fields; `inspect` reports current watch/body/error. `stop` pauses and preserves the body; `remove` retires then deletes it after completion, cancellation or abandonment. Retry a failed stop/remove once quiescent; never bypass it with Shell/File deletion. Start a new watch when expired work continues. Read [lifecycle](reference/lifecycle.md) for shutdown/resume and stale-state caveats. ## Settings anchors `settings` is read-only: five numeric policies in `taskcard/taskcard.json`, not a writer or migration trigger. Edit that document only through its authorized owner procedure, preserving siblings, then SHOW again. See the anchors below. ### interval-s See [interval-s](reference/settings.md#interval-s). ### timeout-s See [timeout-s](reference/settings.md#timeout-s). ### max-refreshes See [max-refreshes](reference/settings.md#max-refreshes). ### reminder-turns See [reminder-turns](reference/settings.md#reminder-turns). ### max-body-chars See [max-body-chars](reference/settings.md#max-body-chars). ## Focused routes - [lifecycle and recovery](reference/lifecycle.md) — ordering, retry/error, stop/remove, restart resume, expiry, and truthful renderer use. - [settings and cadence](reference/settings.md) — SHOW, five policies, validation floors/ceilings, and one-way legacy bootstrap. - [notifications and projection](reference/notifications.md) — typed events, reminders, resident projection, and consumer limits. ## Truth boundary Report only evidence the renderer can read; never fabricate progress or claim a consumer sent, edited, retried, or delivered the card. Task Card owns artifacts and typed notifications, not transport IDs, layouts, transport retries, or another channel's display guarantee.