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Tasks & Automation

Tasks provide a powerful way to automate interactions with projects through scripted workflows.

What are Tasks?​

Tasks are automated workflows that combine chat projects with specific instructions and triggers. They enable:

  • Automated Processing: Execute complex workflows without manual intervention
  • Scheduled Operations: Run tasks on recurring schedules (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly)
  • Parameterized Execution: Accept inputs to customize behavior for different contexts

Task Components​

Steps​

Steps represent the individual instructions that make up a task workflow. Each step can:

  • Execute Actions: Perform specific operations using available tools
  • Process Data: Transform inputs and outputs between steps
  • Make Decisions: Conditional logic based on previous step results
  • Loop Operations: Repeat actions over collections of data

Arguments & Parameters​

Tasks can accept inputs that customize their behavior:

  • Required Parameters: Inputs that must be provided for task execution
  • Optional Parameters: Inputs with default values
  • Dynamic Values: Parameters derived from external sources
  • Validation: Ensure parameters meet required formats and constraints

Triggers​

Tasks can be initiated through various trigger mechanisms:

On Demand​

  • Manual Execution: Start tasks from the Admin Interface
  • API Invocation: Trigger tasks programmatically via API
  • CLI Execution: Run tasks from command-line tools
  • User Interfaces: Allow users to execute tasks from chat interfaces

Scheduled​

  • Recurring Schedule: Run tasks on fixed intervals
  • Time Windows: Execute at specific times of day
  • Timezone Support: Respect server or user-specific timezones
  • Complex Scheduling: Advanced cron-like scheduling patterns

Task Management​

Creation & Configuration​

Through the Chat Interface, users can:

  1. Define Task Structure: Create multi-step workflows with clear logic
  2. Configure Triggers: Set up scheduling or event-based activation
  3. Set Parameters: Define required and optional inputs
  4. Choose Agents: Select which AI agents will execute the workflow
  5. Test Execution: Validate task logic before deployment

Monitoring & Analytics​

Track task performance and execution:

  • Execution History: Complete record of task runs and outcomes
  • Performance Metrics: Duration, success rates, resource usage
  • Error Tracking: Detailed error logs and failure analysis
  • Usage Statistics: Frequency and patterns of task execution

Lifecycle Management​

  • Versioning: Maintain versions of task configurations
  • Updates: Modify existing tasks without breaking execution
  • Deactivation: Temporarily disable tasks without deletion
  • Archival: Store historical task definitions and results

Use Cases​

Business Process Automation​

  • Report Generation: Automatically create and distribute reports
  • Data Synchronization: Keep systems updated with latest information
  • Approval Workflows: Route requests through approval processes
  • Notification Systems: Send alerts and updates to stakeholders

Content Management​

  • Document Processing: Extract data from incoming documents
  • Content Moderation: Review and approve user-generated content
  • Publishing Workflows: Automatically publish content across platforms
  • Backup Operations: Regular backup of important data and configurations

Integration & Data Flow​

  • API Synchronization: Keep external systems in sync
  • Data Migration: Move data between systems on schedule
  • Health Checks: Monitor system status and report issues
  • Compliance Reporting: Generate required regulatory reports

User Support​

  • Onboarding Automation: Guide new users through setup processes
  • Issue Resolution: Automatically handle common support requests
  • Maintenance Notifications: Inform users about system updates
  • Usage Analytics: Generate insights about user behavior

Best Practices​

Task Design​

  1. Single Responsibility: Keep tasks focused on specific outcomes
  2. Error Handling: Plan for and handle potential failures gracefully
  3. Idempotency: Ensure tasks can be safely re-run without side effects
  4. Documentation: Clearly describe task purpose and parameters
  5. Testing: Thoroughly test tasks before enabling automated execution

Scheduling​

  1. Appropriate Frequency: Don't over-schedule resource-intensive tasks
  2. Time Distribution: Spread scheduled tasks to avoid system overload
  3. Timezone Awareness: Consider timezone implications for global deployments
  4. Maintenance Windows: Account for system maintenance in scheduling
  5. Monitoring: Set up alerts for failed or delayed task execution

Security​

  1. Least Privilege: Tasks should only have necessary permissions
  2. Input Validation: Validate all external inputs and parameters
  3. Audit Logging: Log all task executions for compliance and debugging
  4. Credential Management: Securely handle authentication for external services
  5. Access Control: Restrict who can create and modify tasks

Performance​

  1. Resource Management: Monitor CPU, memory, and network usage
  2. Concurrent Execution: Control the number of simultaneous task runs
  3. Timeout Handling: Set reasonable execution time limits
  4. Result Caching: Cache expensive computations when appropriate
  5. Cleanup: Remove temporary files and data after task completion