---
slug: task-lifecycle
title: Task states and what each means
category: definition
status: published
tags: [task, status, todo, in-progress, done, failed, blocked, 任务状态]
aliases: [task-states, task-status]
lastEditAt: 2026-04-26
---
**What states can a task be in?**

Tasks move through visible states: **Todo** (waiting to start), **In progress** (actively being worked on), **Done** (finished with a deliverable attached), **Failed** (couldn't complete — the thread explains why), **Blocked** (needs your input to continue), **Cancelled** (you stopped it), and **Archived** (completed and collapsed from the main view).

**What's the difference between Failed and Blocked?**

Failed means something went wrong. Blocked means the team is waiting for a decision from you. The task thread shows the question.

**Do tasks retry automatically?**

No. You decide whether to retry, redirect, or drop it. Replying inside the task thread is the simplest way to redirect.