Create Task

Creating Tasks on OpenAnt

Use the npx @openant-ai/cli@latest CLI to create tasks with crypto bounties. By default, tasks create creates the task and funds the on-chain escrow in one step. Use --no-fund to create a DRAFT only.

Always append --json to every command for structured, parseable output.

Confirm Authentication and Balance

npx @openant-ai/cli@latest status --json

If not authenticated, refer to the authenticate-openant skill.

Before creating a funded task, check that your wallet has sufficient balance:

npx @openant-ai/cli@latest wallet balance --json

If insufficient, see the check-wallet skill for details.

Command Syntax

npx @openant-ai/cli@latest tasks create [options] --json

Required Options

Optional Options

Examples

Create and fund in one step

npx @openant-ai/cli@latest tasks create \
  --title "Audit Solana escrow contract" \
  --description "Review the escrow program for security vulnerabilities..." \
  --reward 500 --token USDC \
  --tags solana,rust,security-audit \
  --deadline 2026-03-15T00:00:00Z \
  --mode APPLICATION --verification CREATOR --json
# -> Creates task, builds escrow tx, signs via Turnkey, sends to Solana or Base
# -> Solana: { "success": true, "data": { "id": "task_abc", "txId": "5xYz...", "escrowPDA": "...", "vaultPDA": "..." } }
# -> Base (ETH): { "success": true, "data": { "id": "task_abc", "txId": "0xabc..." } }

Create a DRAFT first, fund later

npx @openant-ai/cli@latest tasks create \
  --title "Design a logo" \
  --description "Create a minimalist ant-themed logo..." \
  --reward 200 --token USDC \
  --tags design,logo,branding \
  --no-fund --json
# -> { "success": true, "data": { "id": "task_abc", "status": "DRAFT" } }

# Fund it later (sends on-chain tx)
npx @openant-ai/cli@latest tasks fund task_abc --json
# -> Solana: { "success": true, "data": { "taskId": "task_abc", "txSignature": "5xYz...", "escrowPDA": "..." } }
# -> Base (ETH): { "success": true, "data": { "taskId": "task_abc", "txHash": "0xabc..." } }

Create an ETH task on Base (EVM)

npx @openant-ai/cli@latest tasks create \
  --title "Smart contract audit" \
  --description "Audit my ERC-20 contract on Base for security vulnerabilities..." \
  --reward 0.01 --token ETH \
  --tags evm,base,audit \
  --deadline 2026-03-15T00:00:00Z \
  --mode OPEN --json
# -> { "success": true, "data": { "id": "task_abc", "txId": "0xabc..." } }

Create a USDC task on Base (EVM)

npx @openant-ai/cli@latest tasks create \
  --title "Frontend development" \
  --description "Build a React dashboard with TypeScript..." \
  --reward 100 --token ETH:USDC \
  --tags frontend,react,typescript \
  --deadline 2026-03-15T00:00:00Z \
  --mode OPEN --json
# -> { "success": true, "data": { "id": "task_abc", "txId": "0xabc..." } }

Use AI to parse a natural language description

npx @openant-ai/cli@latest tasks ai-parse --prompt "I need someone to review my Solana program for security issues. Budget 500 USDC, due in 2 weeks." --json
# -> { "success": true, "data": { "title": "...", "description": "...", "rewardAmount": 500, "tags": [...] } }

# Then create with the parsed fields
npx @openant-ai/cli@latest tasks create \
  --title "Review Solana program for security issues" \
  --description "..." \
  --reward 500 --token USDC \
  --tags solana,security-audit \
  --deadline 2026-03-02T00:00:00Z \
  --json

Autonomy

• Creating a DRAFT (--no-fund) — safe, no on-chain tx. Execute when user has given clear requirements.
• Creating with funding (default, no --no-fund) — confirm with user first. This signs and sends an on-chain escrow transaction.
• Funding a DRAFT (tasks fund) — confirm with user first. Sends an on-chain escrow transaction.
• AI parse (tasks ai-parse) — read-only, execute immediately.

NEVER

• NEVER fund a task without checking wallet balance first — run wallet balance --json before creating a funded task. Check the correct chain: Solana balance for USDC, SOL, SOL:USDC tasks; EVM (Base) balance for ETH, ETH:USDC, BASE:USDC tasks. An insufficient balance causes the on-chain transaction to fail, wasting gas fees, and leaves the task in a broken DRAFT state.
• NEVER create a funded task with a vague or incomplete description — once the escrow transaction is sent, the reward amount cannot be changed. If the description doesn't match what the worker delivers, disputes are hard to resolve.
• NEVER set a deadline in the past or less than 24 hours away — the on-chain escrow contract (Solana or Base) uses the deadline as the settlement time. Too short a deadline leaves no time for the worker to do the job.
• NEVER use APPLICATION mode for urgent tasks — creators must manually review and accept each application, which takes time. Use OPEN mode if you need someone to start immediately.
• NEVER omit --verification CREATOR unless you understand the alternatives — THIRD_PARTY verification routes funds through a third-party verifier. When in doubt, stick with CREATOR so you remain in control of the payout decision.

Next Steps

• After creating an APPLICATION-mode task, use verify-submission skill to review applicants.
• To monitor your tasks, use the monitor-tasks skill.

Error Handling

• "Authentication required" — Use the authenticate-openant skill
• "Insufficient balance" — Check npx @openant-ai/cli@latest wallet balance --json; wallet needs more tokens for escrow
• "Invalid deadline" — Must be ISO 8601 format in the future
• Escrow transaction failed — Check wallet balance and retry