> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://taskmaster-49ce32d5-claude-issue-1550-20260102-1153.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Claude Code Setup

> Complete guide to using Task Master with Claude Code

# Claude Code Integration

Task Master works seamlessly with Claude Code through multiple integration methods. This guide consolidates all Claude Code setup options in one place.

## Understanding the Options

Task Master offers **three ways** to integrate with Claude Code:

1. **MCP Server** (Recommended) - Use `task-master-ai` MCP server for AI-powered task management
2. **Plugin Marketplace** - Install Task Master plugin with slash commands
3. **Claude Code Provider** - Use Claude Code's local models (no API key needed)

<Note>
  **Package naming clarity:**

  * `task-master-ai` = The MCP server package (what you install via `npx`)
  * `task-master` = The CLI command (what you run in terminal)
  * These are the same package, just different names for different contexts
</Note>

***

## Option 1: MCP Server (Recommended)

The MCP server lets Claude Code directly manage your tasks through natural language.

### Quick Install

```bash theme={null}
claude mcp add taskmaster-ai -- npx -y task-master-ai
```

### What You Get

* Direct task management from Claude Code chat
* AI-powered PRD parsing, task expansion, and complexity analysis
* Natural language task queries and updates
* 7-44 MCP tools (configurable)

### Configuration

After installation, add your API keys to `.mcp.json`:

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "task-master-ai": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "task-master-ai"],
      "env": {
        "TASK_MASTER_TOOLS": "core",  // Options: "core", "standard", "all"
        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "YOUR_KEY_HERE",
        "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Tool Loading Modes

Control which tools are loaded to optimize context usage:

| Mode       | Tools | Use Case                   |
| ---------- | ----- | -------------------------- |
| `core`     | 7     | Daily development workflow |
| `standard` | 15    | Common task management     |
| `all`      | 44+   | Full feature set           |

See the [MCP Tools documentation](/capabilities/mcp#configurable-tool-loading) for details.

### Usage Examples

Once configured, interact with Task Master naturally in Claude Code:

```
You: Parse my PRD at .taskmaster/docs/prd.md
You: What's the next task I should work on?
You: Show me task 1.2 details
You: Mark task 1.2 as done
You: Expand task 3 into subtasks
```

***

## Option 2: Plugin Marketplace

The plugin provides 49 slash commands and 3 specialized AI agents for comprehensive task management.

### Installation

```bash theme={null}
# Add the marketplace
/plugin marketplace add eyaltoledano/claude-task-master

# Install the plugin
/plugin install taskmaster@taskmaster
```

### What You Get

* 49 slash commands organized by category
* Quick commands like `/tm:next`, `/tm:list`, `/tm:show`
* Setup commands like `/tm:init`, `/tm:parse-prd`
* Workflow automation with `/tm:workflows/*`

### Quick Start Commands

```bash theme={null}
/tm:init                    # Initialize project
/tm:parse-prd              # Parse requirements
/tm:next                   # Get next task
/tm:set-status/to-done 1.2 # Mark task complete
```

See [Plugin Documentation](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/blob/main/CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN.md) for the complete command list.

***

## Option 3: Claude Code Provider

Use Claude Code's local models for Task Master AI operations (no API key required).

### Setup

1. Install and authenticate Claude Code CLI:

```bash theme={null}
claude setup-token
```

2. Configure Task Master to use Claude Code:

```bash theme={null}
task-master models --set-main claude-code/sonnet
```

Or update `.taskmaster/config.json`:

```json theme={null}
{
  "models": {
    "main": "claude-code/sonnet",
    "fallback": "claude-code/opus"
  }
}
```

### Available Models

* `claude-code/sonnet` - Claude 3.5 Sonnet
* `claude-code/opus` - Claude 3 Opus

### Benefits

* No API key required (uses your Claude Code authentication)
* Native structured outputs with schema compliance
* Works with all Task Master AI-powered commands

### Usage

Once configured, all Task Master commands automatically use Claude Code:

```bash theme={null}
task-master parse-prd .taskmaster/docs/prd.md
task-master expand --id=1 --research
task-master analyze-complexity
```

See [Claude Code Provider docs](/providers/claude-code) for advanced configuration.

***

## Comparison: Which Option Should I Use?

| Feature                      | MCP Server          | Plugin                 | Provider             |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------- | ---------------------- | -------------------- |
| **Natural language in chat** | ✅ Yes               | Limited                | ❌ No                 |
| **Slash commands**           | ❌ No                | ✅ 49 commands          | ❌ No                 |
| **No API key needed**        | ❌ Requires API key  | ❌ Requires API key     | ✅ Yes                |
| **AI-powered operations**    | ✅ Yes               | ✅ Yes                  | ✅ Yes                |
| **Context optimization**     | ✅ Configurable      | ✅ Built-in             | N/A                  |
| **Best for**                 | Chat-first workflow | Command-first workflow | Cost-conscious users |

<Tip>
  **Recommended Setup:** Use **MCP Server + Claude Code Provider** together:

  * MCP Server for natural language task management in chat
  * Claude Code Provider to eliminate API key costs
  * Best of both worlds!
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting

### "0 tools enabled" in MCP settings

**Solution:** Restart your editor and verify API keys are correctly configured in `.mcp.json`.

### Confusion between task-master-ai and task-master

* `task-master-ai` is the **MCP server package name** (used in npx commands)
* `task-master` is the **CLI command name** (used in terminal)
* They're the same package, just different contexts

### Claude Code authentication failures

```bash theme={null}
# Re-authenticate
claude setup-token

# Verify token
claude setup-token --verify
```

### Plugin not appearing

```bash theme={null}
# Update marketplace
/plugin marketplace update taskmaster

# Reinstall
/plugin install taskmaster@taskmaster
```

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quick Start Guide" icon="rocket" href="/getting-started/quick-start/quick-start">
    Get started with Task Master in minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP Tools Reference" icon="toolbox" href="/capabilities/mcp">
    Complete MCP tools documentation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Command Reference" icon="terminal" href="/command-reference">
    All CLI commands
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configuration" icon="gear" href="/configuration">
    Customize Task Master
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Additional Resources

* [Claude Code CLI Documentation](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code)
* [Task Master Discord Community](https://discord.gg/taskmasterai)
* [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/issues)