Task states show where work stands
| State | Meaning | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| PLANNED | Outcome is being clarified or waiting for a named trigger | Review context if asked |
| TODO | Created and waiting | Nothing |
| IN_PROGRESS | AI is working | Wait for output |
| BLOCKED | Legacy whole-lane execution block | Astra owns recovery unless a Decision Card appears |
| PAUSED | Explicit hold or named wait | Resume when appropriate; it does not imply Needs you |
| DONE | Current acceptance contract is met | Review the evidence or request a revision |
| CANCELED | Stopped | Recreate only if needed |
Needs you is independent of these states. A live Decision Card comes from a pending ApprovalRequest and may coexist with Working, Planned, Paused, or Done. Status, blocker metadata, or a question mark in prose never creates user attention.
FAQ
Q: What if a task stays in progress too long?
A: Open the task and ask Astra for status.
Q: What if DONE is not good enough?
A: Tell Astra what is missing. She can update the same Task's success criteria, reopen it, and re-evaluate the evidence.