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AutoDev offers two types of tasks to handle different development scenarios: Unit Tasks for straightforward work and Composite Tasks for complex projects.

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Unit Tasks

Unit tasks are perfect for single, well-defined development tasks. When you create a unit task, AutoDev’s AI agent:
  1. Analyzes your request
  2. Writes the necessary code
  3. Creates one or more pull requests
  4. Responds to code reviews automatically
  5. Fixes any CI failures

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When to use unit tasks

  • Bug fixes - Fix a specific bug or issue
  • Small features - Add a single, straightforward feature
  • Refactoring - Improve code structure in a focused area
  • Documentation - Update or create documentation
  • Quick updates - Make targeted changes to existing code

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Example unit tasks

Fix the authentication bug where users can't log in with OAuth

Add input validation to the user registration form

Refactor the payment processing service to use the new API

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Composite Tasks

Composite tasks are designed for complex projects that require multiple coordinated steps. AutoDev uses AI to break down your request into a task graph (DAG structure) where tasks can run in parallel or sequence based on dependencies.

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How composite tasks work

  1. AI Planning - AutoDev analyzes your request and creates a task graph
  2. Review Plan - You see the proposed tasks and their dependencies
  3. Start Execution - You approve the plan and start execution
  4. Sequential Execution - Tasks become ready as dependencies complete
  5. Auto-approval (Optional) - Enable auto-approval to run tasks automatically
  6. Coordinated Completion - All tasks work together to complete your project

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When to use composite tasks

  • Large features - Features that require multiple coordinated changes
  • System refactoring - Major code restructure across multiple modules
  • New projects - Setting up a new service or application from scratch
  • Complex integrations - Integrating multiple systems or APIs
  • Multi-step migrations - Database or infrastructure migrations

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Example composite tasks

Build a complete user authentication system with email verification,
password reset, and OAuth integration

Migrate our REST API to GraphQL, including schema design, resolvers,
and updating all client code

Set up CI/CD pipeline with automated testing, Docker deployment,
and monitoring

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Task Configuration

Both task types support optional configuration:

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Repository selection

Choose which repository the AI should work on. You can only select repositories where you’ve installed the AutoDev GitHub App.

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AI Agent selection (Optional)

Choose which AI coding agent to use. See available AI agents for the full list. If not specified, AutoDev uses your team’s default agent.

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Model version (Optional)

Specify the AI model version (e.g., “sonnet”, “gpt-4”). If not specified, the agent’s default model is used.

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Base branch (Optional)

Specify which branch to use as the base for the task. Defaults to your repository’s default branch (usually main or master).

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Task Status

Tasks progress through different statuses:
  • Pending - Task created but not yet started
  • In Progress - AI agent is working on the task
  • Completed - All work finished and PRs created
  • Failed - Task encountered an error
  • Cancelled - Task was cancelled by user

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Pull Requests

Each task can create multiple pull requests. AutoDev automatically:
  • Creates descriptive PR titles and descriptions
  • Links PRs back to the task
  • Posts the task prompt as a comment (configurable)
  • Converts PRs to draft during automated updates
  • Responds to code review comments
  • Fixes failing CI checks

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Next steps

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