botserver/docs/src/chapter-06-gbdialog/keyword-create-task.md

CREATE TASK

Create and assign tasks within the task management system.

Syntax

CREATE TASK title, description, assignee, due_date, priority

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Description
title	String	Task title/name
description	String	Detailed task description
assignee	String	Email or user ID of the assignee
due_date	String	Due date in format "YYYY-MM-DD" or relative like "tomorrow", "next week"
priority	String	Task priority: "low", "medium", "high", "urgent"

Description

The CREATE TASK keyword creates tasks in the task engine system with:

• Automatic assignment to users or groups
• Due date tracking and reminders
• Priority-based organization
• Integration with calendar system
• Email notifications to assignees
• Progress tracking capabilities

Examples

Basic Task Creation

CREATE TASK "Review proposal", "Review and provide feedback on Q4 proposal", "john@example.com", "2024-01-15", "high"

Task with Current User

user_email = GET "user.email"
CREATE TASK "Follow up", "Contact customer about renewal", user_email, "tomorrow", "medium"

Bulk Task Creation

team = ["alice@example.com", "bob@example.com", "carol@example.com"]
FOR EACH member IN team
    CREATE TASK "Complete training", "Finish security awareness training", member, "next week", "medium"
NEXT

Task from User Input

task_info = HEAR "What task should I create?"
CREATE TASK task_info, "User requested task", "support@example.com", "today", "high"
TALK "Task created and assigned to support team"

Return Value

Returns a task object containing:

• task_id: Unique task identifier
• status: Task status ("created", "assigned", "in_progress", "completed")
• created_at: Creation timestamp
• url: Link to task in web interface
• reminder_set: Whether reminder was configured

Task Statuses

Tasks progress through these statuses:

1. created - Initial creation
2. assigned - Assigned to user
3. in_progress - Work started
4. blocked - Waiting on dependency
5. completed - Task finished
6. cancelled - Task cancelled

Integration Points

Calendar Integration

Tasks automatically appear in assignee's calendar if:

• Due date is specified
• Calendar integration is enabled
• User has calendar permissions

Email Notifications

Sends notifications for:

• Task assignment
• Due date reminders
• Status changes
• Comments added

Task Dependencies

Can link tasks together:

parent_task = CREATE TASK "Project", "Main project", "pm@example.com", "next month", "high"
subtask = CREATE TASK "Research", "Initial research", "analyst@example.com", "next week", "medium"
LINK_TASKS parent_task.task_id, subtask.task_id

Priority Levels

Priority	Description	SLA
urgent	Immediate attention required	4 hours
high	Important, time-sensitive	1 day
medium	Standard priority	3 days
low	Non-urgent	1 week

Date Formats

Supports multiple date formats:

• Absolute: "2024-01-15", "01/15/2024"
• Relative: "today", "tomorrow", "next week", "in 3 days"
• Natural: "Monday", "next Friday", "end of month"

Error Handling

• Validates assignee exists in system
• Checks date is in the future
• Verifies priority is valid
• Returns error if task creation fails
• Handles permission issues gracefully

Permissions

User must have one of:

• Task creation permission
• Project member status
• Admin privileges
• Delegation rights from assignee

Best Practices

1. Clear Titles: Use descriptive, action-oriented titles
2. Detailed Descriptions: Include acceptance criteria
3. Realistic Dates: Set achievable deadlines
4. Appropriate Priority: Don't mark everything as urgent
5. Valid Assignees: Verify user can handle the task
6. Follow Up: Check task status periodically

Advanced Usage

Task Templates

template = GET_TASK_TEMPLATE("customer_onboarding")
CREATE TASK template.title, template.description, assigned_user, due_date, template.priority

Conditional Creation

IF urgency = "high" AND department = "support" THEN
    CREATE TASK "Urgent Support", issue_description, "support-lead@example.com", "today", "urgent"
ELSE
    CREATE TASK "Support Request", issue_description, "support@example.com", "tomorrow", "medium"
END IF

Task with Attachments

task = CREATE TASK "Review document", "Please review attached", reviewer, deadline, "high"
' Note: Use document sharing systems for attachments

Related Keywords

• BOOK - Schedule meetings instead of tasks
• SET SCHEDULE - Create recurring tasks
• SEND MAIL - Send task notifications
• ADD MEMBER - Add users to task groups

Database Tables

Tasks are stored in:

• tasks - Main task records
• task_assignments - User assignments
• task_comments - Task discussions
• task_attachments - Related files
• task_history - Status changes

Implementation

Located in src/basic/keywords/create_task.rs

Integrates with:

• Task engine module for task management
• Calendar engine for scheduling
• Email module for notifications
• Storage module for attachments