Add session task tools for progress visibility

Integrate Claude Code's task tools (TaskCreate, TaskUpdate, TaskList)
into skills and agents to provide spinner updates during multi-step
operations like morning routines, weekly reviews, and batch processing.

- Add task tools to allowed-tools in daily, weekly, goal-tracking skills
- Add task tools to 4 agents (inbox-processor, weekly-reviewer, etc.)
- Create task-tracking.md rule with naming conventions and best practices
- Document progress patterns with concrete spinner output examples
- Update CLAUDE.md and README.md with progress visibility feature

Task tools are session-scoped progress indicators that complement (not
replace) the existing markdown checkbox system in daily notes.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

README.md

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ A complete personal knowledge management system that combines Obsidian's powerfu
 - **📏 Modular Rules** - Path-specific conventions for markdown, productivity, projects
 - **🧠 Output Styles** - Productivity Coach for accountability
 - **📊 Status Line** - Vault stats in terminal (note count, inbox, uncommitted changes)
+- **👁️ Progress Visibility** - See spinner updates during multi-step operations like morning routines
 
 ## 🚀 Quick Start
 

vault-template/.claude/agents/goal-aligner.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 name: goal-aligner
 description: Analyze alignment between daily activities and long-term goals. Identify gaps, over/under-investment, and suggest rebalancing. Use for goal audits and priority checks.
-tools: Read, Grep, Glob
+tools: Read, Grep, Glob, TaskCreate, TaskUpdate, TaskList
 model: sonnet
 ---
 
@@ -82,6 +82,22 @@ When analyzing, surface these insights:
 - "You're spending 3x more time on [X] than [Y], but [Y] is ranked higher."
 - "This goal has been 'in progress' for 6 weeks with no measurable advancement."
 
+## Progress Tracking
+
+Track multi-file analysis with session tasks:
+
+```
+[Spinner] Reading 3-year goals...
+[Spinner] Reading yearly goals...
+[Spinner] Reading monthly goals...
+[Spinner] Scanning 7 days of daily notes...
+[Spinner] Analyzing activity patterns...
+[Spinner] Calculating alignment score...
+[Done] Goal alignment analysis complete (6/6 steps)
+```
+
+Task tools provide visibility when analyzing the full goal cascade across multiple files.
+
 ## Integration
 
 Works well with:

vault-template/.claude/agents/inbox-processor.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 name: inbox-processor
 description: Process inbox items using GTD principles. Categorize, clarify, and organize captured notes into actionable items. Use for inbox zero and capture processing.
-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Bash
+tools: Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Bash, TaskCreate, TaskUpdate, TaskList
 model: sonnet
 ---
 
@@ -109,6 +109,19 @@ Confirm? (y/n/modify)
 4. Link to relevant goals when possible
 5. Add context tags for filtering (#work, #personal, etc.)
 
+## Progress Tracking
+
+When processing multiple inbox items, create a task for each item to show batch progress:
+
+```
+[Spinner] Processing item 1/5: Meeting notes...
+[Spinner] Processing item 2/5: Book recommendation...
+[Spinner] Processing item 3/5: Project idea...
+[Done] Inbox processing complete (5/5 items)
+```
+
+Task tools provide visibility into batch processing. Each inbox item becomes a session task that shows status as it's categorized and filed.
+
 ## Integration
 
 Works well with:

vault-template/.claude/agents/note-organizer.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 name: note-organizer
 description: Organize and restructure vault notes. Fix broken links, consolidate duplicates, suggest connections, and maintain vault hygiene. Use when managing vault organization or cleaning up notes.
-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep, Bash
+tools: Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep, Bash, TaskCreate, TaskUpdate, TaskList
 model: sonnet
 ---
 
@@ -65,6 +65,27 @@ Always provide a summary of proposed changes before executing:
 
 Wait for user confirmation before making changes.
 
+## Progress Tracking
+
+Track proposed changes as tasks before execution:
+
+```
+[Spinner] Scanning vault structure...
+[Spinner] Identifying orphan notes...
+[Spinner] Checking for broken links...
+[Spinner] Auditing tag consistency...
+[Done] Analysis complete (4/4 checks)
+
+Proposed changes:
+- Task: Move 3 files to Projects/
+- Task: Fix 2 broken links
+- Task: Consolidate 5 duplicate tags
+
+[Awaiting confirmation]
+```
+
+Each proposed change becomes a task, giving visibility into what will be modified before confirmation.
+
 ## Integration
 
 Works well with:

vault-template/.claude/agents/weekly-reviewer.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 name: weekly-reviewer
 description: Facilitate comprehensive weekly review process. Analyze past week's daily notes, calculate goal progress, and help plan next week. Use for Sunday/Monday weekly reviews.
-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep
+tools: Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep, TaskCreate, TaskUpdate, TaskList
 model: sonnet
 ---
 
@@ -79,6 +79,25 @@ When Productivity Coach output style is active, include probing questions:
 - "How does next week's plan differ from patterns that didn't work?"
 - "What's the ONE thing that would make everything else easier?"
 
+## Progress Tracking
+
+Track the 3-phase review process with task dependencies:
+
+```
+Task 1: Collect - blocked by nothing
+Task 2: Reflect - blocked by Task 1
+Task 3: Plan - blocked by Task 2
+
+[Spinner] Phase 1: Collecting from daily notes...
+[Done] Phase 1 complete
+[Spinner] Phase 2: Reflecting on goals...
+[Done] Phase 2 complete
+[Spinner] Phase 3: Planning next week...
+[Done] Weekly review complete (3/3 phases)
+```
+
+Dependencies ensure phases complete in order. Task tools provide visibility into the 30-minute review process.
+
 ## Integration
 
 Works well with:

vault-template/.claude/rules/task-tracking.md

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+---
+paths: "**/*.md"
+---
+
+# Session Task Tracking Conventions
+
+These conventions govern the use of Claude Code's session task tools (`TaskCreate`, `TaskUpdate`, `TaskList`) for providing progress visibility during multi-step operations.
+
+## Key Distinction
+
+**Session tasks ≠ Your actual tasks**
+
+- **Session tasks**: Temporary progress indicators that exist only during a Claude session
+- **Your tasks**: Markdown checkboxes in daily notes that persist across sessions
+
+Session tasks show *what Claude is doing*. Markdown checkboxes track *what you need to do*.
+
+## When to Use Session Tasks
+
+Use session tasks for operations with 3+ distinct steps:
+
+### Good Use Cases
+- Morning/evening routines (4+ steps)
+- Weekly review phases (3 phases)
+- Batch inbox processing (multiple items)
+- Multi-file analysis (goal cascade)
+- Vault organization audits
+
+### Skip Session Tasks For
+- Single file reads/writes
+- Quick lookups
+- Simple edits
+- 1-2 step operations
+
+## Task Naming Conventions
+
+### Subject (Imperative)
+```
+Create daily note
+Pull incomplete tasks
+Calculate goal progress
+Process inbox item
+```
+
+### activeForm (Present Continuous)
+```
+Creating daily note...
+Pulling incomplete tasks...
+Calculating goal progress...
+Processing inbox item...
+```
+
+The `activeForm` appears in the spinner while the task runs.
+
+## Task Dependencies
+
+Use dependencies when order matters:
+
+```
+Task 1: Collect (no dependencies)
+Task 2: Reflect (blockedBy: Task 1)
+Task 3: Plan (blockedBy: Task 2)
+```
+
+This ensures phases complete in sequence.
+
+## Progress Patterns
+
+### Sequential Steps
+```
+[Spinner] Step 1 of 4: Creating daily note...
+[Spinner] Step 2 of 4: Pulling tasks...
+[Spinner] Step 3 of 4: Surfacing goals...
+[Spinner] Step 4 of 4: Setting time blocks...
+[Done] Morning routine complete (4/4)
+```
+
+### Batch Processing
+```
+[Spinner] Processing item 1/5: Meeting notes...
+[Spinner] Processing item 2/5: Book idea...
+...
+[Done] Inbox complete (5/5 items)
+```
+
+### Phased Work
+```
+[Done] Phase 1: Collect complete
+[Spinner] Phase 2: Reflect in progress...
+[Pending] Phase 3: Plan (blocked)
+```
+
+## Status Transitions
+
+```
+pending → in_progress → completed
+```
+
+- Set `in_progress` when starting a task
+- Set `completed` only when fully done
+- Never mark incomplete work as completed
+
+## Best Practices
+
+1. **Create tasks upfront** - Create all tasks at the start of a multi-step operation
+2. **Update as you go** - Mark tasks in_progress before starting, completed after finishing
+3. **Use activeForm** - Always provide spinner text for user visibility
+4. **Keep it lightweight** - Don't over-task simple operations
+5. **Trust markdown for persistence** - Session tasks disappear; use checkboxes for real work
+
+## Integration with PKM
+
+Session tasks complement but don't replace:
+
+| Concern | Tool |
+|---------|------|
+| Progress during session | Session tasks (TaskCreate/Update) |
+| Actual to-do items | Markdown checkboxes in daily notes |
+| Goal tracking | Percentages in goal files |
+| Project status | Project CLAUDE.md files |

vault-template/.claude/skills/daily/SKILL.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 name: daily
 description: Create daily notes and manage morning, midday, and evening routines. Structure daily planning, task review, and end-of-day reflection. Use for daily productivity routines or when asked to create today's note.
-allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep
+allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep, TaskCreate, TaskUpdate, TaskList
 user-invocable: true
 ---
 
@@ -181,6 +181,29 @@ Organize daily notes by month/year:
 Daily Notes/2024/01/2024-01-15.md
 ```
 
+## Progress Tracking
+
+The daily skill uses session tasks to show progress during multi-step routines:
+
+### Morning Routine Progress
+```
+[Spinner] Creating daily note...
+[Spinner] Pulling incomplete tasks from yesterday...
+[Spinner] Surfacing relevant goals...
+[Spinner] Setting time blocks...
+[Done] Morning routine complete (4/4 tasks)
+```
+
+### Evening Shutdown Progress
+```
+[Spinner] Updating task statuses...
+[Spinner] Generating reflection prompts...
+[Spinner] Preparing tomorrow's preview...
+[Done] Evening shutdown complete (3/3 tasks)
+```
+
+Task tools provide visibility into what's happening during longer operations. Tasks are session-scoped and don't persist between Claude sessions—your actual work items remain in your daily note markdown checkboxes.
+
 ## Integration
 
 Works with:

vault-template/.claude/skills/goal-tracking/SKILL.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 name: goal-tracking
 description: Track progress toward 3-year, yearly, monthly, and weekly goals. Calculate completion percentages, surface stalled goals, connect daily tasks to objectives. Use for goal reviews and progress tracking.
-allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob, Edit
+allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob, Edit, TaskCreate, TaskUpdate, TaskList
 ---
 
 # Goal Tracking Skill
@@ -119,6 +119,23 @@ When adding tasks to daily notes:
 2. [Nearly complete goal - finish it]
 ```
 
+## Progress Tracking
+
+The goal tracking skill uses session tasks when generating comprehensive progress reports:
+
+### Progress Report Generation
+```
+[Spinner] Reading three-year goals...
+[Spinner] Reading yearly goals...
+[Spinner] Reading monthly goals...
+[Spinner] Scanning recent daily notes...
+[Spinner] Calculating completion percentages...
+[Spinner] Identifying stalled goals...
+[Done] Goal progress report complete (6/6 steps)
+```
+
+This provides visibility when analyzing the full goal cascade across multiple files. Task tools are session-scoped and don't persist—your actual goal progress is tracked through markdown checkboxes and percentages in your goal files.
+
 ## Integration Points
 
 - Weekly review: Full progress assessment

vault-template/.claude/skills/weekly/SKILL.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 name: weekly
 description: Facilitate weekly review process with reflection, goal alignment, and planning. Create review notes, analyze past week, plan next week. Use on Sundays or whenever doing weekly planning.
-allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep
+allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep, TaskCreate, TaskUpdate, TaskList
 user-invocable: true
 ---
 
@@ -163,6 +163,31 @@ Calculate habit success rates from daily notes:
 - Communicate changes
 - Celebrate wins
 
+## Progress Tracking
+
+The weekly skill uses session tasks to show progress through the 3-phase review:
+
+### Phase Progress with Dependencies
+```
+[Spinner] Phase 1: Collecting daily notes...
+[Spinner] Phase 1: Extracting wins and challenges...
+[Done] Phase 1: Collect complete
+
+[Spinner] Phase 2: Calculating goal progress...
+[Spinner] Phase 2: Analyzing alignment gaps...
+[Done] Phase 2: Reflect complete
+
+[Spinner] Phase 3: Identifying ONE Big Thing...
+[Spinner] Phase 3: Planning daily focus areas...
+[Done] Phase 3: Plan complete
+
+Weekly review complete (3/3 phases)
+```
+
+Tasks use dependencies to ensure phases run in order—Reflect is blocked until Collect completes, and Plan is blocked until Reflect completes. This provides visibility into the 30-minute review process.
+
+Task tools are session-scoped and don't persist between Claude sessions—your actual weekly review content is saved in the review note.
+
 ## Integration
 
 Works with:

vault-template/CLAUDE.md

@@ -39,6 +39,18 @@ Skills are invoked with `/skill-name` or automatically by Claude when relevant.
 | `goal-tracking` | (auto) | Track progress across goal cascade |
 | `obsidian-vault-ops` | (auto) | Read/write vault files, manage wiki-links |
 
+### Progress Visibility
+
+Skills and agents use session task tools to show progress during multi-step operations:
+
+```
+[Spinner] Creating daily note...
+[Spinner] Pulling incomplete tasks...
+[Done] Morning routine complete (4/4 tasks)
+```
+
+Session tasks are temporary progress indicators—your actual to-do items remain as markdown checkboxes in daily notes.
+
 ## Available Agents
 
 | Agent | Purpose |
@@ -92,3 +104,12 @@ See `CLAUDE.local.md.template` for format.
 *See @.claude/rules/ for detailed conventions*
 *Last Updated: 2026-01-10*
 *System Version: 2.1 (Unified Skills)*
+
+
+<claude-mem-context>
+# Recent Activity
+
+<!-- This section is auto-generated by claude-mem. Edit content outside the tags. -->
+
+*No recent activity*
+</claude-mem-context>