---
title: "Configuration"
description: "Configure Task Master through environment variables in a .env file"
---

## Required Configuration

<Note>
  Task Master requires an Anthropic API key to function. Add this to your `.env` file:

  ```bash
  ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-api03-your-api-key
  ```

  You can obtain an API key from the [Anthropic Console](https://console.anthropic.com/).
</Note>

## Optional Configuration

| Variable | Default Value | Description | Example |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `MODEL` | `"claude-3-7-sonnet-20250219"` | Claude model to use | `MODEL=claude-3-opus-20240229` |
| `MAX_TOKENS` | `"4000"` | Maximum tokens for responses | `MAX_TOKENS=8000` |
| `TEMPERATURE` | `"0.7"` | Temperature for model responses | `TEMPERATURE=0.5` |
| `DEBUG` | `"false"` | Enable debug logging | `DEBUG=true` |
| `LOG_LEVEL` | `"info"` | Console output level | `LOG_LEVEL=debug` |
| `DEFAULT_SUBTASKS` | `"3"` | Default subtask count | `DEFAULT_SUBTASKS=5` |
| `DEFAULT_PRIORITY` | `"medium"` | Default priority | `DEFAULT_PRIORITY=high` |
| `PROJECT_NAME` | `"MCP SaaS MVP"` | Project name in metadata | `PROJECT_NAME=My Awesome Project` |
| `PROJECT_VERSION` | `"1.0.0"` | Version in metadata | `PROJECT_VERSION=2.1.0` |
| `PERPLEXITY_API_KEY` | - | For research-backed features | `PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=pplx-...` |
| `PERPLEXITY_MODEL` | `"sonar-medium-online"` | Perplexity model | `PERPLEXITY_MODEL=sonar-large-online` |

## TDD Workflow Configuration

Additional options for autonomous TDD workflow:

| Variable | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `TM_MAX_ATTEMPTS` | `3` | Max attempts per subtask before marking blocked |
| `TM_AUTO_COMMIT` | `true` | Auto-commit after GREEN phase |
| `TM_PROJECT_ROOT` | Current dir | Default project root |

## Example .env File

```
# Required
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-api03-your-api-key

# Optional - Claude Configuration
MODEL=claude-3-7-sonnet-20250219
MAX_TOKENS=4000
TEMPERATURE=0.7

# Optional - Perplexity API for Research
PERPLEXITY_API_KEY=pplx-your-api-key
PERPLEXITY_MODEL=sonar-medium-online

# Optional - Project Info
PROJECT_NAME=My Project
PROJECT_VERSION=1.0.0

# Optional - Application Configuration
DEFAULT_SUBTASKS=3
DEFAULT_PRIORITY=medium
DEBUG=false
LOG_LEVEL=info

# TDD Workflow
TM_MAX_ATTEMPTS=3
TM_AUTO_COMMIT=true
```

## Troubleshooting

### If `task-master init` doesn't respond:

Try running it with Node directly:

```bash
node node_modules/claude-task-master/scripts/init.js
```

Or clone the repository and run:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master.git
cd claude-task-master
node scripts/init.js
```

<Note>
For advanced configuration options and detailed customization, see our [Advanced Configuration Guide] page.
</Note>
