deepseek-harness/packages/tasks/tool-tasks

@deepseek-ai/dsh-tool-tasks

The model-facing control surface for ctx.tasks: three kind-independent tools, completion notices, and one background-work prompt section. Loading the plugin attaches the surface required by ctx.tasks.start().

Tools

• task_output(task_id, wait?, timeout_ms?) reads without blocking by default. Stream tasks return only the next delta; final-output tasks return their result after settlement. Every response ends with [status: ...]. wait: true waits up to the configured cap and leaves a still-running task alive on timeout.
• task_list() returns caller-visible tasks as <id> [<kind>] <status> — <label>.
• task_kill(task_id, reason?) requests cancellation immediately and forwards the logged reason. Terminal tasks return a non-consuming snapshot.

All three use generic ACP cards: read for output and list, execute for kill.

Completion notices

An unreported completion injects background task <id> (<kind>: <label>) finished [status: ...]. Read its output with task_output. into the exact owner's session. Injection is durable context for the next request, not a wake-up. A kill or terminal read/wait marks delivery reported and suppresses the redundant notice; owner-disposal races are contained.

Config

key	default	meaning
waitTimeoutMs	30000	wait used when wait: true omits timeout_ms
maxWaitTimeoutMs	600000	cap for model-supplied waits

A default above the cap fails at load.

Model Experience

System prompt

What the model sees: Every request in this plugin's registration scope contains this guidance. Agent-scoped tool filtering may hide the tools without removing the independently registered prompt section.

Token effect: Small fixed input cost per request while active.

Background-task guidance

Track every background task id you start. You are notified in-session when a task finishes — do not busy-poll or sleep on one; keep working on independent steps and do not duplicate a running task's work. Before giving a final answer, collect every still-relevant task with task_output (set wait: true only when you are genuinely blocked on it), and task_kill tasks that stopped mattering.

Tool schemas

What the model sees: The generated task_output, task_list, and task_kill schemas while this surface is visible.

Token effect: Fixed schema cost on each request where the tools are visible.

Results and notices

What the model sees: Reads return output or (no new output) followed by [status: <status>] and optional detail. An empty list returns (no background tasks). Kill returns requested cancellation of task <id> or the existing terminal status. Unreported owned completion uses the notice above.

Token effect: Results and notices remain in parent history until compaction. Stream reads do not repeat consumed output.

Known Limitations and Deferred Work

• Completion notices do not wake idle agents — callers needing an immediate result must use task_output.
• Stream reads are single-consumer — independent observers need another runtime API.
• Unowned tasks have no session fence — external surfaces must supply caller policy or avoid them.