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Task Management with the TODO List

AiderDesk includes a task management system designed to help the agent track and complete complex, multi-step tasks. This feature is primarily used in Agent Mode.

How It Works​

When the agent is given a high-level goal, it can use its "Todo" tools to break the goal down into a checklist of smaller, manageable tasks. This list is saved to a todos.json file inside your project's .aider-desk directory, making it persistent across sessions.

The TODO Window​

A floating window will appear in the main chat view whenever there are active to-do items. This window provides a real-time view of the agent's plan and progress.

From this window, you can:

  • View all tasks and their completion status.
  • Manually check or uncheck items to guide the agent or correct its state.
  • Add new tasks to the list.
  • Edit the names of existing tasks.
  • Delete tasks from the list.

Agent Interaction​

The agent interacts with the to-do list via a set of dedicated tools:

  • set_items: Creates or overwrites the to-do list. The agent typically uses this at the beginning of a task to lay out its plan.
  • get_items: Reads the current to-do list to understand its current state.
  • update_item_completion: Marks a specific task as complete or incomplete.
  • clear_items: Clears all items from the list, typically when starting a completely new task.

This feature provides transparency into the agent's process and allows for a collaborative workflow where you can monitor and adjust the agent's plan as it works.