> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.delino.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Understanding Tasks

> Learn about the two types of tasks in DevBird and when to use each

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

## Unit Tasks

Unit tasks are perfect for single, well-defined development tasks. When you create a unit task, DevBird'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

### 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

### 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
```

## Composite Tasks

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

### How composite tasks work

1. **AI Planning** - DevBird 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

### 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

### 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
```

## Task Configuration

Both task types support optional configuration:

### Repository selection

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

### AI Agent selection (Optional)

Choose which AI coding agent to use. See [available AI agents](/devbird/getting-started/ai-agent) for the full list.

If not specified, DevBird uses your team's default agent.

### Model version (Optional)

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

### 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`).

## 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

## Pull Requests

Each task can create multiple pull requests. DevBird 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

## Next steps

* Learn about [Unit Tasks](/devbird/tasks/unit)
* Learn about [Composite Tasks](/devbird/tasks/composite)
* See [Creating your first PR](/devbird/getting-started/first-pr)