> ## 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. # Debugging Composite Tasks > Common issues with composite tasks and task graphs ## Multiple concurrent PRs DevBird may create multiple pull requests simultaneously for different tasks. This is expected behavior. Each PR: * Represents a separate task or feature * Can be reviewed independently * Should be merged individually after approval Simply review and merge each PR based on its own merits, in any order that makes sense for your workflow. The content below this warning is still under review. The content may be inaccurate or outdated. This guide helps you troubleshoot common issues with composite tasks and task graph execution in DevBird. ## Planning Phase Issues ### Planning Stuck or Takes Too Long **Symptoms:** * Composite task stuck in "Planning" status * Planning workflow running for 30+ minutes * No task graph generated **Possible Causes:** 1. Complex project requiring extensive planning 2. Vague or unclear prompt 3. Workflow timeout 4. AI agent error **Solutions:** **Check planning workflow status:** 1. Go to GitHub Actions 2. Find the planning workflow run 3. Check logs for errors or stuck steps **Simplify the prompt:** * Break very large projects into smaller composite tasks * Be more specific about requirements * Provide clear scope boundaries **Retry planning:** 1. Delete the composite task 2. Create new task with refined prompt 3. Monitor planning progress ### No Plan Generated **Symptoms:** * Planning completes but no task graph appears * Status changes from "Planning" to "Failed" * Error: "Failed to generate plan" **Solutions:** **Check planning workflow logs:** ``` Look for: - "Generating task graph..." - Plan file creation - Upload errors ``` **Verify prompt is actionable:** * Does it describe a concrete project? * Are requirements clear? * Is scope reasonable for AI planning? **Example good prompts:** ``` Build a REST API for user management with authentication, CRUD operations, and testing ``` **Example problematic prompts:** ``` Make the app better Build something cool ``` ### Invalid Task Graph **Symptoms:** * Plan uploaded but status shows "Failed" * Error: "Invalid task graph structure" * Circular dependencies detected **Causes:** * AI generated invalid DAG structure * Circular dependencies in plan * Missing required fields **Solutions:** **This is rare - usually indicates:** * Very complex/unclear requirements * Edge case in planning algorithm **Retry with clearer prompt:** 1. Delete failed composite task 2. Simplify project description 3. Break into smaller composite tasks 4. Create new task ## Task Graph Execution Issues ### No Tasks Marked as Ready **Symptoms:** * Clicked "Start Execution" * Status is "In Progress" * But no tasks show as "Ready" * Nothing happens **Causes:** * All nodes have dependencies (no starting point) * Graph structure issue * Status calculation error **Solutions:** **Use Sync feature:** 1. Composite task details page 2. Click "Sync Composite Task" 3. System recalculates node statuses 4. Initial nodes should become ready **Check task graph visualization:** * Are there nodes without dependencies? * These should be ready first * If all nodes have dependencies, graph is invalid ### Tasks Not Becoming Ready **Symptoms:** * Some tasks completed * But dependent tasks not marked as ready * Tasks stuck in "Pending" or "Blocked" **Solutions:** **Sync composite task:** 1. Go to composite task details 2. Click "Sync Composite Task" 3. System checks dependencies 4. Updates node readiness **What Sync does:** * Checks all task PRs in GitHub * Updates merge statuses * Recalculates dependencies * Marks ready nodes **Check dependency completion:** * All dependencies must be "Completed" * If any dependency "Failed", node is "Blocked" * Review failed dependencies ### Cannot Approve Task **Symptoms:** * Task shows as "Ready" * Approve button doesn't work * Error when trying to approve **Solutions:** **Check task status is "Ready":** * Only ready tasks can be approved * Pending/blocked tasks cannot be approved **Verify you own the composite task:** * Only the user who created it can approve nodes * Check you're logged in correctly **Refresh the page:** * Status may have changed * Reload to get latest state **Sync composite task:** * Updates all task statuses * Resolves state inconsistencies ## Auto-Approval Issues ### Auto-Approval Not Working **Symptoms:** * Auto-approval enabled * Tasks become ready * But not automatically approved/executed **Solutions:** **Verify auto-approval is enabled:** 1. Go to composite task details 2. Check "Auto-Approval" toggle is ON 3. Re-enable if needed **Sync to trigger auto-approval:** 1. Click "Sync Composite Task" 2. System detects ready tasks 3. Auto-approves if enabled 4. Spawns unit tasks **Check for errors:** * Review composite task logs * Look for auto-approval failures * Verify repository connection ### Want to Disable Auto-Approval **How to disable mid-execution:** 1. Go to composite task details 2. Toggle "Auto-Approval" to OFF 3. Future ready tasks won't auto-execute 4. Currently running tasks continue **Note:** * Already approved tasks continue running * Only affects tasks that haven't been approved yet ## Task Node Management ### Cannot Edit Task Prompt **Symptoms:** * Want to modify task prompt * Edit button disabled or missing * Changes don't save **Possible Causes:** * Task is in wrong status for editing * Don't have permission * Task already executing **Solutions:** **Check task status:** * Can edit: `pending`, `ready`, `blocked` * Cannot edit: `approved`, `in_progress`, `completed`, `failed` **For approved tasks:** * Cannot edit (already executing) * Cancel spawned unit task if needed * Retry the node after failure **For completed/failed tasks:** * Cannot edit completed work * Can retry failed tasks * Retry creates new unit task ### Retry Not Working **Symptoms:** * Click "Retry" on failed task * Nothing happens * Task remains failed **Solutions:** **Check if task is actually failed:** * Status must be "Failed" or "Approved" * Can only retry these statuses **Verify associated unit task:** * Failed nodes have spawned tasks * Check unit task status * May need to delete unit task first **Sync before retry:** 1. Sync composite task 2. Verifies current state 3. Then retry the node ### Node Stuck in "Approved" Status **Symptoms:** * Approved a task * Status is "Approved" * But no unit task spawned * Stays approved indefinitely **Causes:** * Unit task creation failed * System error during spawn * Connection issue **Solutions:** **Retry the node:** 1. Click retry on the approved node 2. Creates new unit task 3. Monitors execution **Check error logs:** * Look for task spawn errors * Verify repository connection * Check workflow execution permissions **Sync composite task:** * May resolve status issues * Updates task relationships ## Prompt and Context Issues ### Tasks Don't Build on Previous Work **Symptoms:** * Later tasks don't reference earlier PRs * Work is duplicated * Missing context from dependencies **Cause:** * System should automatically include PR references * May be a timing issue **Solutions:** **Ensure dependencies are completed:** * Wait for dependency PRs to merge * System includes PR numbers in prompts * Later tasks reference completed work **Manual context in prompt edit:** When approving a task, edit prompt to add: ``` Reference the work completed in PR #123 and PR #456. Build upon the authentication system from those PRs. ``` **Check dependency PRs are merged:** * Dependencies should complete before children * Merged PRs provide context * Open PRs may not provide enough context ### AI Misunderstands Task Context **Symptoms:** * Generated code doesn't align with plan * Task seems unrelated to project * Wrong approach taken **Solutions:** **Edit prompt before approval:** 1. When task becomes ready 2. Click "Edit Prompt" 3. Add specific context: ``` Continue the work from the database setup task. Use the User model defined in PR #123. Follow patterns in @src/models/ ``` **Provide file references:** ``` Update @src/services/auth.ts to use the new JWT tokens from the authentication task. ``` **Request changes via review:** * After PR is created * Leave specific guidance * DevBird will update ## Dependency and Blocking Issues ### Task Blocked by Failed Dependency **Symptoms:** * Task shows "Blocked" status * Dependency task failed * Cannot proceed **Solutions:** **Fix the failed dependency:** 1. Navigate to failed dependency task 2. Review what went wrong 3. Retry the failed task 4. Once it completes, blocked task becomes ready **Or modify the graph:** * Delete the blocked task (if not needed) * Create new unit task as workaround * Manually complete the work ### Circular Dependency Detected **Symptoms:** * Some tasks never become ready * Mutual dependencies * Graph seems stuck **This shouldn't happen:** * Planning should prevent this * DAG validation should catch it **If it does occur:** 1. Report to support with task details 2. Delete composite task 3. Create new task with clearer prompt 4. System will generate valid DAG ## Sync Feature Issues ### Sync Operation Fails **Symptoms:** * Click "Sync Composite Task" * Error message appears * No updates occur **Solutions:** **Check repository connection:** 1. Verify repository is connected 2. Check GitHub App is installed 3. Reconnect if needed **Try again:** * Temporary GitHub API issues * Wait a few minutes * Retry sync operation **Check permissions:** * Must have repository access * GitHub App needs permissions * Verify in repository settings ### Sync Shows Wrong Results **Symptoms:** * Sync completes * But task statuses still wrong * PRs not reflecting correctly **What to check:** **PR merge status in GitHub:** 1. Go to GitHub repository 2. Check actual PR status 3. Compare with DevBird display **Wait for GitHub API:** * GitHub webhooks may be delayed * Wait 1-2 minutes * Retry sync **Force refresh:** 1. Sync composite task 2. Refresh browser page 3. Check updated statuses ## Performance Issues ### Composite Task Very Slow **Symptoms:** * Taking days to complete * Many tasks waiting * Progress is slow **Causes:** 1. Sequential dependencies 2. Waiting for approvals 3. Long-running unit tasks **Solutions:** **Enable auto-approval:** * Eliminates approval delays * Tasks execute immediately when ready * Faster overall completion **Review task graph structure:** * Too many sequential dependencies? * Could some tasks be parallel? * May need better planning **For future tasks:** * Provide better context in prompt * AI will optimize parallelization * Reduce sequential dependencies ### Too Many Nodes **Symptoms:** * Composite task created 50+ nodes * Overwhelming to manage * Many small tasks **Cause:** * AI over-decomposed the project * Prompt was too broad **Solutions:** **For current task:** * Enable auto-approval to reduce management * Let it run automatically * Monitor progress **For future tasks:** * Be more specific about scope * Request specific number of major steps * Example: "Break this into 5-8 major tasks" ## Deleting and Canceling ### Cannot Delete Composite Task **Symptoms:** * Delete button disabled * Error when trying to delete * Task remains **Solutions:** **Check for running tasks:** * Running unit tasks prevent deletion * Wait for completion * Or cancel unit tasks first **Force delete process:** 1. Delete composite task 2. System cancels incomplete unit tasks 3. Blocks all pending nodes 4. Removes composite task **Verify permissions:** * Only creator can delete * Check correct user is logged in ### Partial Deletion Issues **Symptoms:** * Composite task deleted * But some unit tasks remain * PRs still open **This is expected:** * Unit tasks are preserved for history * PRs remain open (you can close manually) * Task graph is removed **To clean up:** 1. Close remaining PRs on GitHub 2. Review unit task history if needed 3. Unit tasks show as "Cancelled" ## Status Display Issues ### Status Shows Incorrect Progress **Symptoms:** * Progress shows "3/10 completed" * But more tasks actually done * Counts don't match **Solutions:** **Sync composite task:** * Recalculates progress * Updates node counts * Fixes display **What affects count:** * Only "Completed" nodes count * Failed nodes don't count as complete * In-progress nodes don't count yet ### Task Graph Visualization Not Loading **Symptoms:** * Graph diagram doesn't appear * Shows loading spinner forever * Blank visualization area **Solutions:** **Refresh the page:** * Browser cache issue * Hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R) **Check browser console:** * Open dev tools (F12) * Look for JavaScript errors * Report if errors found **Try different browser:** * Temporary browser issue * Test in Chrome/Firefox/Safari ## Prevention and Best Practices ### Writing Better Prompts **Include project structure:** ``` Build a blogging platform with: 1. Backend API (Node.js + Express) 2. Database (PostgreSQL) 3. Frontend (React) 4. Authentication (JWT) 5. Deployment (Docker) ``` **Specify technical stack:** ``` Use TypeScript, follow REST API best practices, include unit tests, and set up CI/CD. ``` **Define clear boundaries:** ``` Only include core CRUD operations. Do not include admin panel or analytics. Focus on MVP functionality. ``` ### Monitoring Progress **Use auto-approval wisely:** * Enable for trusted, well-defined tasks * Disable for complex/critical work * Monitor execution regularly **Review task graph regularly:** * Check for blocked nodes * Identify failed dependencies * Keep tasks moving forward **Sync periodically:** * Ensures accurate status * Catches missed updates * Prevents stuck states ### Managing Complexity **Start smaller:** * First composite task: 5-8 nodes * Build confidence * Scale up gradually **Break mega-projects:** * Don't try to build entire app in one task * Create multiple composite tasks * Each for a major feature/milestone **Monitor costs:** * Composite tasks can be expensive * Each node = separate workflow execution * Plan accordingly ## Getting Help ### Information to Provide When reporting composite task issues: 1. **Composite Task Info:** * Composite task ID * Original prompt * Number of nodes in graph * Current status 2. **Problematic Nodes:** * Node IDs having issues * Node statuses * Dependencies 3. **Spawned Tasks:** * Unit task IDs * Their statuses * PR numbers 4. **Actions Taken:** * Sync attempts * Retry attempts * What you've tried ### Support Channels * **Documentation**: [docs.delino.io](https://docs.delino.io) * **Email**: [support@delino.io](mailto:support@delino.io) * **For Planning Issues**: Include your original prompt * **For Graph Issues**: Include screenshot of task graph ## Next Steps * [Unit Task Troubleshooting](/devbird/troubleshooting/unit-task) * [Understanding Composite Tasks](/devbird/tasks/composite) * [Task Graph Best Practices](/devbird/tasks/composite#task-graph-best-practices)