Why Claude Code's task list is empty, and how to get it back

Posted on Oct 30 • Originally published at taskhold.com

Short answer: Since Claude Code v2.1.268 the task tools (TaskCreate, TaskGet, TaskList, TaskUpdate) are on by default only on Opus 4.7, Sonnet 4.6, Haiku 4.5 and earlier models. On newer models Claude adds nothing to the list, so Ctrl+T shows nothing. Start Claude Code with CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_TODO_TOOLS=1 to bring the list back.

If Claude used to show a checklist while it worked and now doesn't, nothing is broken. The list is filled by Claude calling task tools, and on newer models Claude Code no longer gives it those tools unless you ask. If you want progress you can see from outside the terminal, Taskhold's live board shows each task's steps as the agent reports them. More in Claude Code's tasks compared, Taskhold for Claude Code and seeing what your agent is doing.

Set the variable when you start Claude Code. The docs say this provides the task tools on every model and every provider:

CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_TODO_TOOLS = 1 claude # or for every session, in ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc export CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_TODO_TOOLS = 1 Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode Naming one of the tools also turns them on for that session, for example claude --allowedTools TaskCreate, or listing them in --tools. Background sessions started from agent view and cloud sessions get the tools on every model without any setting.

Claude Code's tools reference gives the reason: newer models keep track of multi-step work without a written checklist, and the tools' definitions and reminders take up context on every turn. So the list is off where it adds the least, and you can opt back in when you want to see the plan.

The built-in list is a good checklist for the session in front of you. It lives in ~/.claude/tasks/ on one machine and in one terminal. If you want to see the plan from a browser or your phone, across Claude Code and other agents, the agent has to report it somewhere shared.

Taskhold is built for that: Claude Code plans each task into steps with taskhold_plan and reports progress with taskhold_progress, and you watch it on a live board, on any model, alongside Codex or Cursor. Both can run at once: the built-in list for Claude's own short checklist, Taskhold for the tasks you queue and follow.

The tool definitions and their reminders use some context on every turn, which is the reason they're off by default on newer models. Nothing else changes.

TodoWrite is disabled by default in favor of the four Task tools. Where the task tools are available, setting CLAUDE_CODE_ENABLE_TASKS=0 gives you TodoWrite instead.

The tools reference says the default set applies in Claude Code v2.1.268 and later. Run claude --version to check yours.

Taskhold is a hosted task list shared by a person and their AI coding agents over MCP. Agents break tasks into steps and report progress, and the person watches a live board. $12/month or $120/year per person, 7-day trial with a card, no free plan. Made by Great Work LLC.

I make Taskhold, a task list shared by you and your coding agents. Originally published at taskhold.com.