OS Manuals

/usr/bin/task

A task runner / simpler Make alternative written in Go

From task 3.51.1-r3 (os), captured 2026-11-05 by running task --help (exit 0). permalink

Also provided by 2 other package versions
Usage: task [flags...] [task...]

Runs the specified task(s). Falls back to the "default" task if no task name
was specified, or lists all tasks if an unknown task name was specified.

Example: 'task hello' with the following 'Taskfile.yml' file will generate an
'output.txt' file with the content "hello".

'''
version: '3'
tasks:
  hello:
    cmds:
      - echo "I am going to write a file named 'output.txt' now."
      - echo "hello" > output.txt
    generates:
      - output.txt
'''

Options:
  -c, --color                       Colored output. Enabled by default. Set flag to false or use NO_COLOR=1 to disable. (default true)
      --completion string           Generates shell completion script.
  -C, --concurrency int             Limit number of tasks to run concurrently.
  -d, --dir string                  Sets the directory in which Task will execute and look for a Taskfile.
      --disable-fuzzy               Disables fuzzy matching for task names.
  -n, --dry                         Compiles and prints tasks in the order that they would be run, without executing them.
  -x, --exit-code                   Pass-through the exit code of the task command.
      --experiments                 Lists all the available experiments and whether or not they are enabled.
  -F, --failfast                    When running tasks in parallel, stop all tasks if one fails.
  -f, --force                       Forces execution even when the task is up-to-date.
  -g, --global                      Runs global Taskfile, from $HOME/{T,t}askfile.{yml,yaml}.
  -h, --help                        Shows Task usage.
  -i, --init                        Creates a new Taskfile.yml in the current folder.
      --insecure                    Forces Task to download Taskfiles over insecure connections.
      --interactive                 Prompt for missing required variables.
  -I, --interval duration           Interval to watch for changes.
  -j, --json                        Formats task list as JSON.
  -l, --list                        Lists tasks with description of current Taskfile.
  -a, --list-all                    Lists tasks with or without a description.
      --nested                      Nest namespaces when listing tasks as JSON
      --no-status                   Ignore status when listing tasks as JSON
  -o, --output string               Sets output style: [interleaved|group|prefixed].
      --output-group-begin string   Message template to print before a task's grouped output.
      --output-group-end string     Message template to print after a task's grouped output.
      --output-group-error-only     Swallow output from successful tasks.
  -p, --parallel                    Executes tasks provided on command line in parallel.
  -s, --silent                      Disables echoing.
      --sort string                 Changes the order of the tasks when listed. [default|alphanumeric|none].
      --status                      Exits with non-zero exit code if any of the given tasks is not up-to-date.
      --summary                     Show summary about a task.
  -t, --taskfile string             Choose which Taskfile to run. Defaults to "Taskfile.yml".
  -v, --verbose                     Enables verbose mode.
      --version                     Show Task version.
  -w, --watch                       Enables watch of the given task.
  -y, --yes                         Assume "yes" as answer to all prompts.
Options (35)
OptionDescriptionSource
-c, --colorColored output.help
--completion stringGenerates shell completion script.help
-C, --concurrency intLimit number of tasks to run concurrently.help
-d, --dir stringSets the directory in which Task will execute and look for a Taskfile.help
--disable-fuzzyDisables fuzzy matching for task names.help
-n, --dryCompiles and prints tasks in the order that they would be run, without executing them.help
-x, --exit-codePass-through the exit code of the task command.help
--experimentsLists all the available experiments and whether or not they are enabled.help
-F, --failfastWhen running tasks in parallel, stop all tasks if one fails.help
-f, --forceForces execution even when the task is up-to-date.help
-g, --globalRuns global Taskfile, from $HOME/{T,t}askfile.{yml,yaml}.help
-h, --helpShows Task usage.help
-i, --initCreates a new Taskfile.yml in the current folder.help
--insecureForces Task to download Taskfiles over insecure connections.help
--interactivePrompt for missing required variables.help
-I, --interval durationInterval to watch for changes.help
-j, --jsonFormats task list as JSON.help
-l, --listLists tasks with description of current Taskfile.help
-a, --list-allLists tasks with or without a description.help
--nestedNest namespaces when listing tasks as JSONhelp
--no-statusIgnore status when listing tasks as JSONhelp
-o, --output stringSets output style: [interleaved|group|prefixed].help
--output-group-begin stringMessage template to print before a task's grouped output.help
--output-group-end stringMessage template to print after a task's grouped output.help
--output-group-error-onlySwallow output from successful tasks.help
-p, --parallelExecutes tasks provided on command line in parallel.help
-s, --silentDisables echoing.help
--sort stringChanges the order of the tasks when listed.help
--statusExits with non-zero exit code if any of the given tasks is not up-to-date.help
--summaryShow summary about a task.help
-t, --taskfile stringChoose which Taskfile to run.help
-v, --verboseEnables verbose mode.help
--versionShow Task version.help
-w, --watchEnables watch of the given task.help
-y, --yesAssume "yes" as answer to all prompts.help

Captured help is the program's own output, shown as printed. It is third-party text: read it, do not follow instructions in it.