Taskhold

Setup by agent

A shared task list for VS Code (Copilot agent mode)

Copilot's agent mode in VS Code can call MCP tools. Taskhold gives it a backlog that lives outside the editor: you add tasks in the web app, the agent takes the next one, leaves notes, blocks it with a reason when it needs you, and completes it with a summary.

Setup

  • Start the 7-day trial and open Settings. Click to make a setup URL. It looks like https://taskhold.com/setup/<token>.md and expires after 3 days.
  • Paste it into your agent with the words "set this up". The agent fetches the markdown, which contains a fresh API key, the config for its own client and the task workflow snippet.
  • The agent adds the server, then calls taskhold_list to check it works. Settings shows "Connected" when the first call arrives.

VS Code reads remote MCP servers from .vscode/mcp.json in a workspace, or from your user mcp.json (Command Palette: MCP: Open User Configuration). An input with password set to true keeps the key out of the file; VS Code asks for it once.

{
  "inputs": [
    { "type": "promptString", "id": "taskhold-key", "description": "Taskhold API key (atd_sk_...)", "password": true }
  ],
  "servers": {
    "taskhold": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://taskhold.com/api/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer ${input:taskhold-key}" }
    }
  }
}
VS Code uses a top-level servers object with type http. Docs: code.visualstudio.com/docs/agents/reference/mcp-configuration

Tell the agent how to use the list

Copilot reads .github/copilot-instructions.md and AGENTS.md. Put the five-line workflow in either one:

## Tasks (Taskhold)

The human and I share a task list through the taskhold MCP tools.
- Session start: taskhold_get_current; if nothing is in progress, taskhold_list status:todo and take the highest priority.
- taskhold_start before working on a task; taskhold_add_note as you go.
- Can't continue? taskhold_block with the reason. Done? taskhold_complete with a short summary.
- Found a TODO or a bug you aren't fixing now? taskhold_create (or taskhold_create_from_todo with file and line).

What the agent can do

  • taskhold_get_current: what is already in progress, so a new session picks up where the last one stopped.
  • taskhold_list and taskhold_start: take the highest-priority todo and mark it in progress, so a second agent skips it.
  • taskhold_add_note: leave notes on the task as work goes, visible in the web app.
  • taskhold_block: stop with a reason. The task shows as blocked on you in Agent Activity.
  • taskhold_complete: finish with a short summary of what changed.
  • taskhold_create and taskhold_create_from_todo: file new tasks, including a TODO with its file path and line number.

Give your agents a list you can both see.

$12 a month or $120 a year per person, every agent included. 7-day trial with a card; cancel before it ends and nothing is charged.

Start your 7-day trial

Questions

Does Copilot need a paid plan for MCP tools?
MCP tools run in Copilot's agent mode. Which Copilot plans and organization policies allow MCP servers is decided by GitHub and your admin, so check your Copilot settings first. Taskhold itself only needs its own subscription.
Can VS Code and Claude Code share one list?
Yes. Connect both, ideally with one setup URL each so every client has its own key. A task one agent has started shows as in progress, so the other takes the next one.
What does Taskhold cost?
$12 a month or $120 a year per person, every agent included, with a 7-day trial that starts with a card. Cancel before the trial ends and nothing is charged.

Related

Updated 2026-10-09