Taskfile

Taskfile Skill

Use this skill to create production-grade Taskfile.yml automation for local dev, CI, and monorepos.

Task is a YAML task runner with:

• dependency graphs (deps)
• templating via Go text/template + slim-sprig functions
• incremental execution (sources, generates, status, method)
• task composition via includes

What to do first

1. Identify the user's goal (dev workflow, build, test, release, codegen, deploy).
2. Inspect existing Taskfile.yml and project scripts (package.json, Makefile, CI configs).
3. Decide whether to:
   • add tasks to existing Taskfile,
   • split into included Taskfiles,
   • or bootstrap a fresh Taskfile.
4. Prefer small, composable tasks with clear desc and predictable variables.

Core implementation rules

• Keep root schema on version: '3' unless user needs stricter semver gating.
• Use desc on user-facing tasks so task --list is useful.
• Use internal: true for helper tasks not meant for direct invocation.
• Use deps for parallelizable prerequisites; use cmds: - task: ... for ordered execution.
• Use requires.vars for mandatory inputs and enum constraints for safety.
• Use sources + generates (or status) to skip unnecessary work.
• Use preconditions for hard-fail checks (missing tools/files/env).
• Use if to conditionally skip tasks without failing.
• Use task-level dir when running in subfolders/services.

Output expectations

When writing or editing Taskfiles:

• return valid YAML that can run as-is;
• include concise comments only for non-obvious behavior;
• include at least one default or clearly documented entrypoint task when useful;
• include practical examples of calling tasks (with variables and -- CLI args) in your response.

Routing guide

• Schema keys and valid shapes: references/schema-and-model.md
• Templating and special variables: references/templating-and-vars.md
• Execution model, caching, and reliability: references/execution-patterns.md
• CLI flags, debug flow, and troubleshooting: references/cli-and-debugging.md
• Ready-to-copy Taskfiles: examples/basic-taskfile.yml, examples/monorepo-taskfile.yml

High-value patterns to prefer

1) Safe deploy tasks

• prompt for confirmation
• requires.vars for environment selection
• preconditions for required secrets/tools

2) Fast local dev loops

• a top-level dev task that fans out to service tasks
• watch where appropriate
• clear task aliases for common commands

3) Incremental builds/codegen

• sources and generates for deterministic re-runs
• method: checksum for content-sensitive workflows
• method: timestamp only when filesystem mtime behavior is desired

4) Monorepo composition

• includes with namespaces
• flatten only when naming collisions are controlled
• excludes for clashing task names

Anti-patterns to avoid

• Giant single tasks that hide multiple concerns.
• Relying on shell state shared between separate commands.
• Omitting desc on user-facing tasks.
• Using --force routinely instead of modeling sources/status correctly.
• Putting sensitive values directly in Taskfiles when env/dotenv is more appropriate.

Minimal quality checklist

Before finishing, verify:

• task --list is readable and meaningful.
• Required variables are enforced (requires).
• Tasks run from expected directories (dir, USER_WORKING_DIR when needed).
• Incremental tasks have correct invalidation (sources/generates/status).
• Task names and namespaces are consistent and predictable.