Release 0.43.0

2026-01-30 06:12:05 +00:00 · 2026-01-27 16:52:24 +01:00
parent 7a52bd41ab 712a0789d6
commit 99dbd082f4
50 changed files with 4495 additions and 143 deletions
--- a/.changeset/add-mcpb-bundle.md
+++ b/.changeset/add-mcpb-bundle.md
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+---
+"task-master-ai": minor
+---
+
+Add MCPB bundle for single-click Claude Desktop installation
+
+- Added `manifest.json` for MCP Bundle (MCPB) specification v0.3
+- Added `.mcpbignore` to exclude development files from bundle
+- Added `icon.png` (512x512) for Claude Desktop display
+- Enables users to install Task Master MCP server directly in Claude Desktop without manual configuration
--- a/.changeset/add-modifyjson-utils.md
+++ b/.changeset/add-modifyjson-utils.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"task-master-ai": patch
+---
+
+Add modifyJSON function for safer file updates
--- a/.changeset/cuddly-wings-drop.md
+++ b/.changeset/cuddly-wings-drop.md
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+---
+"task-master-ai": minor
+---
+
+Add verbose output mode to loop command with `--verbose` flag
+
+- New `-v, --verbose` flag shows Claude's work in real-time (thinking, tool calls) rather than waiting until the iteration completes
+- New `--no-output` flag excludes full Claude output from iteration results to save memory
+- Improved error handling with proper validation for incompatible options (verbose + sandbox)
--- a/.changeset/fair-heads-report.md
+++ b/.changeset/fair-heads-report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"task-master-ai": patch
+---
+
+Add --no-banner to suppress the startup banner.
--- a/.changeset/task-metadata-field.md
+++ b/.changeset/task-metadata-field.md
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+---
+"task-master-ai": minor
+---
+
+Add optional `metadata` field to tasks for storing user-defined custom data
+
+Tasks and subtasks now support an optional `metadata` field that allows storing arbitrary JSON data such as:
+- External IDs (GitHub issues, Jira tickets, Linear issues)
+- Workflow data (sprints, story points, custom statuses)
+- Integration data (sync timestamps, external system references)
+- Custom tracking (UUIDs, version numbers, audit information)
+
+Key features:
+- **AI-Safe**: Metadata is preserved through all AI operations (update-task, expand, etc.) because AI schemas intentionally exclude this field
+- **Flexible Schema**: Store any JSON-serializable data without schema changes
+- **Backward Compatible**: The field is optional; existing tasks work without modification
+- **Subtask Support**: Both tasks and subtasks can have their own metadata
+- **MCP Tool Support**: Use `update_task` and `update_subtask` with the `metadata` parameter to update metadata (requires `TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES=true` in MCP server environment)
+
+Example usage:
+```json
+{
+  "id": 1,
+  "title": "Implement authentication",
+  "metadata": {
+    "githubIssue": 42,
+    "sprint": "Q1-S3",
+    "storyPoints": 5
+  }
+}
+```
+
+MCP metadata update example:
+```javascript
+// With TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES=true set in MCP env
+update_task({
+  id: "1",
+  metadata: '{"githubIssue": 42, "sprint": "Q1-S3"}'
+})
+```
--- a/.github/scripts/sync-manifest-version.mjs
+++ b/.github/scripts/sync-manifest-version.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+import { spawnSync } from 'node:child_process';
+import {
+	existsSync,
+	readFileSync,
+	readdirSync,
+	unlinkSync,
+	writeFileSync
+} from 'node:fs';
+import { dirname, join } from 'node:path';
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
+import { findRootDir } from './utils.mjs';
+
+const __filename = fileURLToPath(import.meta.url);
+const __dirname = dirname(__filename);
+
+const rootDir = findRootDir(__dirname);
+
+// Read the root package.json version
+const pkgPath = join(rootDir, 'package.json');
+const manifestPath = join(rootDir, 'manifest.json');
+
+let pkg;
+try {
+	pkg = JSON.parse(readFileSync(pkgPath, 'utf8'));
+} catch (error) {
+	console.error('Failed to read package.json:', error.message);
+	process.exit(1);
+}
+
+let manifest;
+try {
+	manifest = JSON.parse(readFileSync(manifestPath, 'utf8'));
+} catch (error) {
+	console.error('Failed to read manifest.json:', error.message);
+	process.exit(1);
+}
+
+// Sync manifest version if different
+if (manifest.version !== pkg.version) {
+	console.log(
+		`Syncing manifest.json version: ${manifest.version} → ${pkg.version}`
+	);
+	manifest.version = pkg.version;
+
+	try {
+		writeFileSync(
+			manifestPath,
+			JSON.stringify(manifest, null, '\t') + '\n',
+			'utf8'
+		);
+		console.log(`✅ Updated manifest.json version to ${pkg.version}`);
+	} catch (error) {
+		console.error('Failed to write manifest.json:', error.message);
+		process.exit(1);
+	}
+} else {
+	console.log(
+		`✓ manifest.json version already matches package.json (${pkg.version})`
+	);
+}
+
+// Remove old .mcpb files
+const files = readdirSync(rootDir);
+for (const file of files) {
+	if (file.endsWith('.mcpb')) {
+		const filePath = join(rootDir, file);
+		console.log(`Removing old bundle: ${file}`);
+		unlinkSync(filePath);
+	}
+}
+
+// Generate new .mcpb bundle
+const bundleName = 'taskmaster.mcpb';
+console.log(`Generating ${bundleName} for version ${pkg.version}...`);
+const result = spawnSync('npx', ['mcpb', 'pack', '.', bundleName], {
+	cwd: rootDir,
+	encoding: 'utf8',
+	stdio: 'inherit'
+});
+
+if (result.status !== 0) {
+	console.error('Failed to generate MCPB bundle');
+	process.exit(1);
+}
+
+// Verify the new bundle was created
+if (existsSync(join(rootDir, bundleName))) {
+	console.log(`✅ Generated ${bundleName}`);
+} else {
+	console.error(`Expected bundle ${bundleName} was not created`);
+	process.exit(1);
+}
--- a/.github/workflows/forward-port.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/forward-port.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+name: Forward Port to Next
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - main
+
+concurrency:
+  group: forward-port
+  cancel-in-progress: false
+
+permissions:
+  contents: write
+  pull-requests: write
+
+jobs:
+  forward-port:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    env:
+      DISCORD_WEBHOOK: ${{ secrets.DISCORD_METRICS_WEBHOOK }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+
+      - name: Check for existing PR
+        id: check-pr
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+        run: |
+          EXISTING_PR=$(gh pr list --base next --head main --state open --json number --jq '.[0].number // empty')
+          if [ -n "$EXISTING_PR" ]; then
+            echo "existing_pr=$EXISTING_PR" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+            echo "PR #$EXISTING_PR already exists for main → next"
+          else
+            echo "existing_pr=" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+            echo "No existing PR found"
+          fi
+
+      - name: Check if main has changes not in next
+        id: check-diff
+        if: steps.check-pr.outputs.existing_pr == ''
+        run: |
+          git fetch origin next
+          DIFF_COUNT=$(git rev-list --count origin/next..origin/main)
+          echo "diff_count=$DIFF_COUNT" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          if [ "$DIFF_COUNT" -gt 0 ]; then
+            echo "Found $DIFF_COUNT commit(s) in main not in next"
+          else
+            echo "No new commits to forward port"
+          fi
+
+      - name: Check for merge conflicts
+        id: check-conflicts
+        if: steps.check-pr.outputs.existing_pr == '' && steps.check-diff.outputs.diff_count != '0'
+        run: |
+          git config user.name "github-actions[bot]"
+          git config user.email "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
+
+          # Try a test merge to detect conflicts
+          git checkout origin/next
+          if git merge --no-commit --no-ff origin/main 2>/dev/null; then
+            echo "has_conflicts=false" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+            echo "No merge conflicts detected"
+          else
+            echo "has_conflicts=true" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+            # Get list of conflicting files
+            CONFLICTING_FILES=$(git diff --name-only --diff-filter=U | head -10)
+            echo "conflicting_files<<EOF" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+            echo "$CONFLICTING_FILES" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+            echo "EOF" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+            echo "Merge conflicts detected in: $CONFLICTING_FILES"
+          fi
+          git merge --abort 2>/dev/null || true
+
+      - name: Create forward-port PR
+        id: create-pr
+        if: steps.check-pr.outputs.existing_pr == '' && steps.check-diff.outputs.diff_count != '0'
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+        run: |
+          # Get the commits being forward-ported for the PR body
+          COMMITS=$(git log origin/next..origin/main --oneline --no-decorate | head -20)
+          COMMIT_COUNT=$(git rev-list --count origin/next..origin/main)
+
+          # Build conflict warning if needed
+          CONFLICT_WARNING=""
+          if [ "${{ steps.check-conflicts.outputs.has_conflicts }}" = "true" ]; then
+            CONFLICT_WARNING="
+          > [!WARNING]
+          > **Merge conflicts detected.** Manual resolution required.
+          >
+          > Conflicting files:
+          > \`\`\`
+          > ${{ steps.check-conflicts.outputs.conflicting_files }}
+          > \`\`\`
+
+          ### How to resolve
+
+          \`\`\`bash
+          # Option 1: Resolve in a temporary branch (recommended)
+          git fetch origin
+          git checkout -b resolve-forward-port origin/next
+          git merge origin/main
+          # Fix conflicts in your editor, then:
+          git add .
+          git commit
+          git push origin resolve-forward-port
+          # Create PR from resolve-forward-port → next, then close this PR
+
+          # Option 2: Resolve directly on next
+          git checkout next
+          git pull origin next
+          git merge origin/main
+          # Fix conflicts, commit, and push
+          \`\`\`
+          "
+          fi
+
+          # Create PR body
+          BODY="## Forward Port: main → next
+
+          This PR forward-ports changes from \`main\` to \`next\` to ensure hotfixes and releases are included in the next development branch.
+          $CONFLICT_WARNING
+          ### Commits ($COMMIT_COUNT total)
+          \`\`\`
+          $COMMITS
+          \`\`\`
+          $([ "$COMMIT_COUNT" -gt 20 ] && echo "... and $((COMMIT_COUNT - 20)) more")
+
+          ---
+          *Auto-generated by forward-port workflow*"
+
+          # Create the PR
+          PR_URL=$(gh pr create \
+            --base next \
+            --head main \
+            --title "chore: forward port main to next" \
+            --label "forward-port" \
+            --label "automated" \
+            --body "$BODY")
+
+          PR_NUMBER=$(echo "$PR_URL" | grep -oE '[0-9]+$')
+          echo "pr_number=$PR_NUMBER" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo "pr_url=$PR_URL" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+
+          # Add conflict label if needed
+          if [ "${{ steps.check-conflicts.outputs.has_conflicts }}" = "true" ]; then
+            gh pr edit "$PR_NUMBER" --add-label "has-conflicts"
+          fi
+
+      - name: Send Discord notification
+        if: steps.create-pr.outputs.pr_url != '' && env.DISCORD_WEBHOOK != ''
+        uses: sarisia/actions-status-discord@v1
+        with:
+          webhook: ${{ env.DISCORD_WEBHOOK }}
+          status: ${{ steps.check-conflicts.outputs.has_conflicts == 'true' && 'Warning' || 'Success' }}
+          title: "🔄 Forward Port PR Created"
+          description: |
+            **main → next**
+
+            ${{ steps.check-conflicts.outputs.has_conflicts == 'true' && '⚠️ **Merge conflicts detected** - manual resolution required' || '✅ No conflicts - ready for review' }}
+
+            **Commits:** ${{ steps.check-diff.outputs.diff_count }}
+            **PR:** ${{ steps.create-pr.outputs.pr_url }}
+          color: ${{ steps.check-conflicts.outputs.has_conflicts == 'true' && '0xFFA500' || '0x58AFFF' }}
+          username: Task Master Bot
+          avatar_url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/main/images/logo.png
--- a/.mcpbignore
+++ b/.mcpbignore
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+# Exclude everything except manifest and icon
+# This is an npx-based bundle - no source code needed
+
+# All source code
+*.js
+*.ts
+*.mjs
+*.cjs
+*.jsx
+*.tsx
+*.json
+!manifest.json
+
+# All directories
+*/
+
+# All other files
+*.md
+*.txt
+*.yml
+*.yaml
+*.lock
+*.log
+.git*
+.env*
+.eslint*
+.prettier*
+.editorconfig
+LICENSE*
+Makefile
+Dockerfile
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -18,6 +18,55 @@

 ### Patch Changes

+- [#1569](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/pull/1569) [`4cfde1c`](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/commit/4cfde1c3d54b94701e0fcfc8dbdedbc3bbaf4339) Thanks [@bjcoombs](https://github.com/bjcoombs)! - Improve concurrency safety by adopting modifyJson pattern in file-storage
+  - Refactor saveTasks, createTag, deleteTag, renameTag to use modifyJson for atomic read-modify-write operations
+  - This prevents lost updates when multiple processes concurrently modify tasks.json
+  - Complements the cross-process file locking added in PR #1566
+
+- [#1566](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/pull/1566) [`3cc6174`](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/commit/3cc6174b471fc1ea7f12955095d0d35b4dc5904c) Thanks [@bjcoombs](https://github.com/bjcoombs)! - Fix race condition when multiple Claude Code windows write to tasks.json simultaneously
+  - Add cross-process file locking to prevent concurrent write collisions
+  - Implement atomic writes using temp file + rename pattern to prevent partial writes
+  - Re-read file inside lock to get current state, preventing lost updates from stale snapshots
+  - Add stale lock detection and automatic cleanup (10-second timeout)
+  - Export `withFileLock` and `withFileLockSync` utilities for use by other modules
+
+  This fix prevents data loss that could occur when multiple Task Master instances (e.g., multiple Claude Code windows) access the same tasks.json file concurrently.
+
+- [#1576](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/pull/1576) [`097c8ed`](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/commit/097c8edcb0ca065218e9b51758ad370ac7475f1a) Thanks [@Crunchyman-ralph](https://github.com/Crunchyman-ralph)! - Improve loop command error handling and use dangerously-skip-permissions
+  - Add proper spawn error handling (ENOENT, EACCES) with actionable messages
+  - Return error info from checkSandboxAuth and runInteractiveAuth instead of silent failures
+  - Use --dangerously-skip-permissions for unattended loop execution
+  - Fix null exit code masking issue
+
+- [#1577](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/pull/1577) [`e762e4f`](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/commit/e762e4f64608a77d248ac8ce5eeb218000b51907) Thanks [@Crunchyman-ralph](https://github.com/Crunchyman-ralph)! - Make Docker sandbox mode opt-in for loop command
+  - Add `--sandbox` flag to `task-master loop` (default: use plain `claude -p`)
+  - Preserve progress.txt between runs (append instead of overwrite)
+  - Display execution mode in loop startup output
+
+- [#1580](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/pull/1580) [`940ab58`](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/commit/940ab587e50cff43c3a2639bbbd210fdd577c3f1) Thanks [@Crunchyman-ralph](https://github.com/Crunchyman-ralph)! - Update Codex CLI supported models to match current available models
+  - Remove deprecated models: gpt-5, gpt-5-codex, gpt-5.1
+  - Add gpt-5.2-codex as the current default model
+  - Add gpt-5.1-codex-mini for faster, cheaper option
+  - Keep gpt-5.1-codex-max and gpt-5.2
+
+## 0.42.0-rc.0
+
+### Minor Changes
+
+- [#1533](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/pull/1533) [`6c3a92c`](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/commit/6c3a92c439d4573ff5046e3d251a4a26d85d0deb) Thanks [@bjcoombs](https://github.com/bjcoombs)! - Add --ready and --blocking filters to list command for identifying parallelizable tasks
+  - Add `--ready` filter to show only tasks with satisfied dependencies (ready to work on)
+  - Add `--blocking` filter to show only tasks that block other tasks
+  - Combine `--ready --blocking` to find high-impact tasks (ready AND blocking others)
+  - Add "Blocks" column to task table showing which tasks depend on each task
+  - Blocks field included in JSON output for programmatic access
+  - Add "Ready" column to `tags` command showing count of ready tasks per tag
+  - Add `--ready` filter to `tags` command to show only tags with available work
+  - Excludes deferred/blocked tasks from ready count (only actionable statuses)
+  - Add `--all-tags` option to list ready tasks across all tags (use with `--ready`)
+  - Tag column shown as first column when using `--all-tags` for easy scanning
+
+### Patch Changes
+
 - [#1569](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/pull/1569) [`4cfde1c`](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/commit/4cfde1c3d54b94701e0fcfc8dbdedbc3bbaf4339) Thanks [@bjcoombs](https://github.com/bjcoombs)! - Improve concurrency safety by adopting modifyJson pattern in file-storage
  - Refactor saveTasks, createTag, deleteTag, renameTag to use modifyJson for atomic read-modify-write operations
  - This prevents lost updates when multiple processes concurrently modify tasks.json
--- a/apps/cli/src/commands/loop.command.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/cli/src/commands/loop.command.spec.ts
@@ -91,6 +91,9 @@ describe('LoopCommand', () => {
 				getStorageType: vi.fn().mockReturnValue('local'),
 				getNext: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ id: '1', title: 'Test Task' }),
 				getCount: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(0)
+			},
+			auth: {
+				getContext: vi.fn().mockReturnValue(null)
 			}
 		};

--- a/apps/cli/src/commands/loop.command.ts
+++ b/apps/cli/src/commands/loop.command.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 import path from 'node:path';
 import {
 	type LoopConfig,
+	type LoopIteration,
+	type LoopOutputCallbacks,
 	type LoopResult,
 	PRESET_NAMES,
 	type TmCore,
@@ -23,6 +25,8 @@ export interface LoopCommandOptions {
 	tag?: string;
 	project?: string;
 	sandbox?: boolean;
+	output?: boolean;
+	verbose?: boolean;
 }

 export class LoopCommand extends Command {
@@ -49,6 +53,11 @@ export class LoopCommand extends Command {
 				'Project root directory (auto-detected if not provided)'
 			)
 			.option('--sandbox', 'Run Claude in Docker sandbox mode')
+			.option(
+				'--no-output',
+				'Exclude full Claude output from iteration results'
+			)
+			.option('-v, --verbose', "Show Claude's work in real-time")
 			.action((options: LoopCommandOptions) => this.execute(options));
 	}

@@ -109,12 +118,21 @@ export class LoopCommand extends Command {
 			}
 			console.log();

+			// Auto-detect brief name from auth context (if available)
+			const briefName = this.tmCore.auth.getContext()?.briefName;
+
 			const config: Partial<LoopConfig> = {
 				iterations,
 				prompt,
 				progressFile,
 				tag: options.tag,
-				sandbox: options.sandbox
+				sandbox: options.sandbox,
+				// CLI defaults to including output (users typically want to see it)
+				// Domain defaults to false (library consumers opt-in explicitly)
+				includeOutput: options.output ?? true,
+				verbose: options.verbose ?? false,
+				brief: briefName,
+				callbacks: this.createOutputCallbacks()
 			};

 			const result = await this.tmCore.loop.run(config);
@@ -161,6 +179,47 @@ export class LoopCommand extends Command {
 		}
 	}

+	private createOutputCallbacks(): LoopOutputCallbacks {
+		return {
+			onIterationStart: (iteration: number, total: number) => {
+				console.log();
+				console.log(chalk.cyan(`━━━ Iteration ${iteration} of ${total} ━━━`));
+			},
+			onText: (text: string) => {
+				console.log(text);
+			},
+			onToolUse: (toolName: string) => {
+				console.log(chalk.dim(`  → ${toolName}`));
+			},
+			onError: (message: string, severity?: 'warning' | 'error') => {
+				if (severity === 'warning') {
+					console.error(chalk.yellow(`[Loop Warning] ${message}`));
+				} else {
+					console.error(chalk.red(`[Loop Error] ${message}`));
+				}
+			},
+			onStderr: (iteration: number, text: string) => {
+				process.stderr.write(chalk.dim(`[Iteration ${iteration}] `) + text);
+			},
+			onOutput: (output: string) => {
+				console.log(output);
+			},
+			onIterationEnd: (iteration: LoopIteration) => {
+				const statusColor =
+					iteration.status === 'success'
+						? chalk.green
+						: iteration.status === 'error'
+							? chalk.red
+							: chalk.yellow;
+				console.log(
+					statusColor(
+						`  Iteration ${iteration.iteration} completed: ${iteration.status}`
+					)
+				);
+			}
+		};
+	}
+
 	private displayResult(result: LoopResult): void {
 		console.log();
 		console.log(chalk.bold('Loop Complete'));
@@ -168,6 +227,9 @@ export class LoopCommand extends Command {
 		console.log(`Total iterations: ${result.totalIterations}`);
 		console.log(`Tasks completed: ${result.tasksCompleted}`);
 		console.log(`Final status: ${this.formatStatus(result.finalStatus)}`);
+		if (result.errorMessage) {
+			console.log(chalk.red(`Error: ${result.errorMessage}`));
+		}
 	}

 	private formatStatus(status: LoopResult['finalStatus']): string {
--- a/apps/docs/capabilities/task-structure.mdx
+++ b/apps/docs/capabilities/task-structure.mdx
@@ -8,17 +8,18 @@ description: "Tasks in Task Master follow a specific format designed to provide

 Tasks in tasks.json have the following structure:

-| Field          | Description                                    | Example                                                |
-| -------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
-| `id`           | Unique identifier for the task.                | `1`                                                    |
-| `title`        | Brief, descriptive title.                      | `"Initialize Repo"`                                    |
-| `description`  | What the task involves.                        | `"Create a new repository, set up initial structure."` |
-| `status`       | Current state.                                 | `"pending"`, `"done"`, `"deferred"`                    |
+| Field          | Description                                     | Example                                                |
+| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
+| `id`           | Unique identifier for the task.                 | `1`                                                    |
+| `title`        | Brief, descriptive title.                       | `"Initialize Repo"`                                    |
+| `description`  | What the task involves.                         | `"Create a new repository, set up initial structure."` |
+| `status`       | Current state.                                  | `"pending"`, `"done"`, `"deferred"`                    |
 | `dependencies` | Prerequisite task IDs. ✅ Completed, ⏱️ Pending | `[1, 2]`                                               |
-| `priority`     | Task importance.                               | `"high"`, `"medium"`, `"low"`                          |
-| `details`      | Implementation instructions.                   | `"Use GitHub client ID/secret, handle callback..."`    |
-| `testStrategy` | How to verify success.                         | `"Deploy and confirm 'Hello World' response."`         |
-| `subtasks`     | Nested subtasks related to the main task.      | `[{"id": 1, "title": "Configure OAuth", ...}]`         |
+| `priority`     | Task importance.                                | `"high"`, `"medium"`, `"low"`                          |
+| `details`      | Implementation instructions.                    | `"Use GitHub client ID/secret, handle callback..."`    |
+| `testStrategy` | How to verify success.                          | `"Deploy and confirm 'Hello World' response."`         |
+| `subtasks`     | Nested subtasks related to the main task.       | `[{"id": 1, "title": "Configure OAuth", ...}]`         |
+| `metadata`     | Optional user-defined data (see below).         | `{"githubIssue": 42, "sprint": "Q1-S3"}`               |

 ## Task File Format

@@ -38,6 +39,158 @@ Individual task files follow this format:
 <verification approach>
 ```

+## User-Defined Metadata Field
+
+The `metadata` field allows you to store arbitrary custom data on tasks without requiring schema changes. This is useful for:
+
+- **External IDs**: Link tasks to GitHub issues, Jira tickets, Linear issues, etc.
+- **Workflow data**: Track sprints, story points, custom statuses
+- **Integration data**: Store sync timestamps, external system references
+- **Custom tracking**: UUIDs, version numbers, audit information
+
+### Key Characteristics
+
+<CardGroup cols={2}>
+  <Card title="Fully Optional" icon="toggle-off">
+    The field is optional. Existing tasks work without it.
+  </Card>
+
+<Card title="AI-Safe" icon="shield">
+  AI operations preserve your metadata - it's never overwritten by AI.
+</Card>
+
+<Card title="Flexible Schema" icon="shapes">
+  Store any JSON-serializable data: strings, numbers, objects, arrays.
+</Card>
+
+  <Card title="Subtask Support" icon="list-tree">
+    Both tasks and subtasks can have their own metadata.
+  </Card>
+</CardGroup>
+
+### Usage Examples
+
+**GitHub Issue Linking**
+
+```json
+{
+  "id": 1,
+  "title": "Implement authentication",
+  "metadata": {
+    "githubIssue": 42,
+    "githubIssueUrl": "https://github.com/org/repo/issues/42"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Sprint & Project Management**
+
+```json
+{
+  "id": 2,
+  "title": "Refactor API endpoints",
+  "metadata": {
+    "sprint": "Q1-S3",
+    "storyPoints": 5,
+    "epic": "API Modernization"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**External System Integration**
+
+```json
+{
+  "id": 3,
+  "title": "Fix login bug",
+  "metadata": {
+    "jira": {
+      "key": "PROJ-123",
+      "type": "bug",
+      "priority": "P1"
+    },
+    "importedAt": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z",
+    "lastSyncedAt": "2024-01-20T14:00:00Z"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Stable UUID Tracking**
+
+```json
+{
+  "id": 4,
+  "title": "Add user preferences",
+  "metadata": {
+    "uuid": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000",
+    "version": 2,
+    "createdBy": "import-script"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+<Warning>
+  **Security Note**: Do not store secrets, API keys, or sensitive credentials in
+  the metadata field. Task data may be visible in logs, exports, or shared with
+  AI providers.
+</Warning>
+
+### Metadata Behavior
+
+| Operation        | Metadata Behavior                                            |
+| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
+| `parse-prd`      | New tasks are created without metadata                       |
+| `update-task`    | Existing metadata is preserved unless explicitly changed     |
+| `expand`         | Parent task metadata is preserved; subtasks don't inherit it |
+| `update-subtask` | Subtask metadata is preserved                                |
+| Manual edit      | You can add/modify metadata directly in tasks.json           |
+| MCP (with flag)  | Use the `metadata` parameter to explicitly update metadata   |
+
+### Updating Metadata via MCP
+
+The `update_task` and `update_subtask` MCP tools support a `metadata` parameter for updating task metadata. This feature is disabled by default for safety.
+
+**To enable MCP metadata updates:**
+
+Add `TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES=true` to your MCP server environment configuration in `.mcp.json`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "mcpServers": {
+    "task-master-ai": {
+      "command": "npx",
+      "args": ["-y", "task-master-ai"],
+      "env": {
+        "TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES": "true",
+        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Usage example:**
+
+```javascript
+// Update task metadata (merges with existing)
+update_task({
+  id: "1",
+  projectRoot: "/path/to/project",
+  metadata: '{"githubIssue": 42, "sprint": "Q1-S3"}'
+})
+
+// Update only metadata (no prompt required)
+update_task({
+  id: "1",
+  projectRoot: "/path/to/project",
+  metadata: '{"status": "reviewed"}'
+})
+```
+
+<Note>
+  The `metadata` parameter accepts a JSON string. The new metadata is merged with existing metadata, allowing you to update specific fields without losing others.
+</Note>
+
 ## Features in Detail

 <AccordionGroup>
@@ -93,6 +246,7 @@ task-master expand --id=8
 # or expand all tasks
 task-master expand --all
 ```
+
 </Accordion>

 <Accordion title="Finding the Next Task">
@@ -130,11 +284,13 @@ The `show` command:
  </Card>

  <Card title="👀 Review Tasks" icon="magnifying-glass">
-    After parsing the PRD, review the tasks to ensure they make sense and have appropriate dependencies.
+    After parsing the PRD, review the tasks to ensure they make sense and have
+    appropriate dependencies.
  </Card>

  <Card title="📊 Analyze Complexity" icon="chart-line">
-    Use the complexity analysis feature to identify which tasks should be broken down further.
+    Use the complexity analysis feature to identify which tasks should be broken
+    down further.
  </Card>

  <Card title="⛓️ Follow Dependencies" icon="link">
@@ -142,7 +298,8 @@ The `show` command:
  </Card>

  <Card title="🔄 Update As You Go" icon="arrows-rotate">
-    If your implementation diverges from the plan, use the update command to keep future tasks aligned.
+    If your implementation diverges from the plan, use the update command to
+    keep future tasks aligned.
  </Card>

  <Card title="📦 Break Down Tasks" icon="boxes-stacked">
@@ -150,14 +307,17 @@ The `show` command:
  </Card>

  <Card title="🔄 Regenerate Files" icon="file-arrow-up">
-    After any updates to tasks.json, regenerate the task files to keep them in sync.
+    After any updates to tasks.json, regenerate the task files to keep them in
+    sync.
  </Card>

  <Card title="💬 Provide Context" icon="comment">
-    When asking the Cursor agent to help with a task, provide context about what you're trying to achieve.
+    When asking the Cursor agent to help with a task, provide context about what
+    you're trying to achieve.
  </Card>

  <Card title="✅ Validate Dependencies" icon="circle-check">
-    Periodically run the validate-dependencies command to check for invalid or circular dependencies.
+    Periodically run the validate-dependencies command to check for invalid or
+    circular dependencies.
  </Card>
 </CardGroup>
--- a/apps/mcp/src/shared/utils.ts
+++ b/apps/mcp/src/shared/utils.ts
@@ -442,3 +442,63 @@ export function withToolContext<TArgs extends { projectRoot?: string }>(
 		}
 	);
 }
+
+/**
+ * Validates and parses metadata string for MCP tools.
+ * Checks environment flag, validates JSON format, and ensures metadata is a plain object.
+ *
+ * @param metadataString - JSON string to parse and validate
+ * @param errorResponseFn - Function to create error response
+ * @returns Object with parsed metadata or error
+ */
+export function validateMcpMetadata(
+	metadataString: string | null | undefined,
+	errorResponseFn: (message: string) => ContentResult
+): { parsedMetadata: Record<string, unknown> | null; error?: ContentResult } {
+	// Return null if no metadata provided
+	if (!metadataString) {
+		return { parsedMetadata: null };
+	}
+
+	// Check if metadata updates are allowed via environment variable
+	const allowMetadataUpdates =
+		process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES === 'true';
+	if (!allowMetadataUpdates) {
+		return {
+			parsedMetadata: null,
+			error: errorResponseFn(
+				'Metadata updates are disabled. Set TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES=true in your MCP server environment to enable metadata modifications.'
+			)
+		};
+	}
+
+	// Parse and validate JSON
+	try {
+		const parsedMetadata = JSON.parse(metadataString);
+
+		// Ensure it's a plain object (not null, not array)
+		if (
+			typeof parsedMetadata !== 'object' ||
+			parsedMetadata === null ||
+			Array.isArray(parsedMetadata)
+		) {
+			return {
+				parsedMetadata: null,
+				error: errorResponseFn(
+					'Invalid metadata: must be a JSON object (not null or array)'
+				)
+			};
+		}
+
+		return { parsedMetadata };
+	} catch (parseError: unknown) {
+		const message =
+			parseError instanceof Error ? parseError.message : 'Unknown parse error';
+		return {
+			parsedMetadata: null,
+			error: errorResponseFn(
+				`Invalid metadata JSON: ${message}. Provide a valid JSON object string.`
+			)
+		};
+	}
+}
--- a/docs/examples/claude-code-usage.md
+++ b/docs/examples/claude-code-usage.md
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ The Claude Code settings can be specified globally in the `claudeCode` section o
 }
 ```

- For a full list of Cluaude Code settings, see the [Claude Code Settings documentation](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/settings).
+- For a full list of Claude Code settings, see the [Claude Code Settings documentation](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/settings).
 - For a full list of AI powered command names, see this file: `src/constants/commands.js`

 ### Why These Settings Matter
--- a/icon.png
+++ b/icon.png
--- a/manifest.json
+++ b/manifest.json
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+{
+	"manifest_version": "0.3",
+	"name": "Claude Task Master",
+	"version": "0.42.0",
+	"description": "AI-powered task management for structured development workflows. Parse PRDs, generate tasks with AI, track dependencies, and manage complexity.",
+	"author": {
+		"name": "Eyal Toledano",
+		"url": "https://github.com/eyaltoledano"
+	},
+	"repository": {
+		"type": "git",
+		"url": "https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master"
+	},
+	"icon": "icon.png",
+	"server": {
+		"type": "node",
+		"entry_point": "dist/mcp-server.js",
+		"mcp_config": {
+			"command": "npx",
+			"args": ["-y", "task-master-ai"],
+			"env": {
+				"ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "${user_config.anthropic_api_key}",
+				"PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "${user_config.perplexity_api_key}",
+				"OPENAI_API_KEY": "${user_config.openai_api_key}",
+				"TASK_MASTER_TOOLS": "${user_config.task_master_tools}"
+			}
+		}
+	},
+	"user_config": {
+		"anthropic_api_key": {
+			"type": "string",
+			"title": "Anthropic API Key",
+			"description": "API key for Claude models - get from console.anthropic.com (recommended)",
+			"required": false,
+			"sensitive": true
+		},
+		"perplexity_api_key": {
+			"type": "string",
+			"title": "Perplexity API Key",
+			"description": "API key for research features - get from perplexity.ai (optional)",
+			"required": false,
+			"sensitive": true
+		},
+		"openai_api_key": {
+			"type": "string",
+			"title": "OpenAI API Key",
+			"description": "API key for GPT models - get from platform.openai.com (optional)",
+			"required": false,
+			"sensitive": true
+		},
+		"task_master_tools": {
+			"type": "string",
+			"title": "Tool Set",
+			"description": "Which tools to enable: core (7 tools), standard (15 tools), or all (44 tools)",
+			"required": false,
+			"default": "core"
+		}
+	},
+	"tools": [
+		{
+			"name": "get_tasks",
+			"description": "Get all tasks with optional status filter"
+		},
+		{
+			"name": "next_task",
+			"description": "Get the next recommended task to work on"
+		},
+		{
+			"name": "get_task",
+			"description": "Get details for a specific task by ID"
+		},
+		{
+			"name": "set_task_status",
+			"description": "Set the status of one or more tasks or subtasks"
+		},
+		{
+			"name": "update_subtask",
+			"description": "Update a subtask with implementation details"
+		},
+		{
+			"name": "parse_prd",
+			"description": "Parse a Product Requirements Document to generate initial tasks"
+		},
+		{
+			"name": "expand_task",
+			"description": "Expand a task into subtasks for detailed implementation"
+		}
+	]
+}
--- a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/update-subtask-by-id.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/update-subtask-by-id.js
@@ -17,8 +17,9 @@ import { createLogWrapper } from '../../tools/utils.js';
 * @param {Object} args - Command arguments containing id, prompt, useResearch, tasksJsonPath, and projectRoot.
 * @param {string} args.tasksJsonPath - Explicit path to the tasks.json file.
 * @param {string} args.id - Subtask ID in format "parent.sub".
- * @param {string} args.prompt - Information to append to the subtask.
+ * @param {string} [args.prompt] - Information to append to the subtask. Required unless only updating metadata.
 * @param {boolean} [args.research] - Whether to use research role.
+ * @param {Object} [args.metadata] - Parsed metadata object to merge into subtask metadata.
 * @param {string} [args.projectRoot] - Project root path.
 * @param {string} [args.tag] - Tag for the task (optional)
 * @param {Object} log - Logger object.
@@ -27,8 +28,9 @@ import { createLogWrapper } from '../../tools/utils.js';
 */
 export async function updateSubtaskByIdDirect(args, log, context = {}) {
 	const { session } = context;
-	// Destructure expected args, including projectRoot
-	const { tasksJsonPath, id, prompt, research, projectRoot, tag } = args;
+	// Destructure expected args, including projectRoot and metadata
+	const { tasksJsonPath, id, prompt, research, metadata, projectRoot, tag } =
+		args;

 	const logWrapper = createLogWrapper(log);

@@ -60,9 +62,10 @@ export async function updateSubtaskByIdDirect(args, log, context = {}) {
 			};
 		}

-		if (!prompt) {
+		// At least prompt or metadata is required (validated in MCP tool layer)
+		if (!prompt && !metadata) {
 			const errorMessage =
-				'No prompt specified. Please provide the information to append.';
+				'No prompt or metadata specified. Please provide information to append or metadata to update.';
 			logWrapper.error(errorMessage);
 			return {
 				success: false,
@@ -77,7 +80,7 @@ export async function updateSubtaskByIdDirect(args, log, context = {}) {
 		const useResearch = research === true;

 		log.info(
-			`Updating subtask with ID ${subtaskIdStr} with prompt "${prompt}" and research: ${useResearch}`
+			`Updating subtask with ID ${subtaskIdStr} with prompt "${prompt || '(metadata-only)'}" and research: ${useResearch}`
 		);

 		const wasSilent = isSilentMode();
@@ -98,7 +101,8 @@ export async function updateSubtaskByIdDirect(args, log, context = {}) {
 					projectRoot,
 					tag,
 					commandName: 'update-subtask',
-					outputType: 'mcp'
+					outputType: 'mcp',
+					metadata
 				},
 				'json'
 			);
--- a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/update-task-by-id.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/update-task-by-id.js
@@ -18,9 +18,10 @@ import { findTasksPath } from '../utils/path-utils.js';
 * @param {Object} args - Command arguments containing id, prompt, useResearch, tasksJsonPath, and projectRoot.
 * @param {string} args.tasksJsonPath - Explicit path to the tasks.json file.
 * @param {string} args.id - Task ID (or subtask ID like "1.2").
- * @param {string} args.prompt - New information/context prompt.
+ * @param {string} [args.prompt] - New information/context prompt. Required unless only updating metadata.
 * @param {boolean} [args.research] - Whether to use research role.
 * @param {boolean} [args.append] - Whether to append timestamped information instead of full update.
+ * @param {Object} [args.metadata] - Parsed metadata object to merge into task metadata.
 * @param {string} [args.projectRoot] - Project root path.
 * @param {string} [args.tag] - Tag for the task (optional)
 * @param {Object} log - Logger object.
@@ -29,9 +30,17 @@ import { findTasksPath } from '../utils/path-utils.js';
 */
 export async function updateTaskByIdDirect(args, log, context = {}) {
 	const { session } = context;
-	// Destructure expected args, including projectRoot
-	const { tasksJsonPath, id, prompt, research, append, projectRoot, tag } =
-		args;
+	// Destructure expected args, including projectRoot and metadata
+	const {
+		tasksJsonPath,
+		id,
+		prompt,
+		research,
+		append,
+		metadata,
+		projectRoot,
+		tag
+	} = args;

 	const logWrapper = createLogWrapper(log);

@@ -51,9 +60,10 @@ export async function updateTaskByIdDirect(args, log, context = {}) {
 			};
 		}

-		if (!prompt) {
+		// At least prompt or metadata is required (validated in MCP tool layer)
+		if (!prompt && !metadata) {
 			const errorMessage =
-				'No prompt specified. Please provide a prompt with new information for the task update.';
+				'No prompt or metadata specified. Please provide a prompt with new information or metadata for the task update.';
 			logWrapper.error(errorMessage);
 			return {
 				success: false,
@@ -95,7 +105,7 @@ export async function updateTaskByIdDirect(args, log, context = {}) {
 		const useResearch = research === true;

 		logWrapper.info(
-			`Updating task with ID ${taskId} with prompt "${prompt}" and research: ${useResearch}`
+			`Updating task with ID ${taskId} with prompt "${prompt || '(metadata-only)'}" and research: ${useResearch}`
 		);

 		const wasSilent = isSilentMode();
@@ -116,7 +126,8 @@ export async function updateTaskByIdDirect(args, log, context = {}) {
 					projectRoot,
 					tag,
 					commandName: 'update-task',
-					outputType: 'mcp'
+					outputType: 'mcp',
+					metadata
 				},
 				'json',
 				append || false
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/update-subtask.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/update-subtask.js
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ import { TaskIdSchemaForMcp } from '@tm/core';
 import {
 	createErrorResponse,
 	handleApiResult,
-	withNormalizedProjectRoot
+	withNormalizedProjectRoot,
+	validateMcpMetadata
 } from '@tm/mcp';
 import { z } from 'zod';
 import { resolveTag } from '../../../scripts/modules/utils.js';
@@ -27,11 +28,22 @@ export function registerUpdateSubtaskTool(server) {
 			id: TaskIdSchemaForMcp.describe(
 				'ID of the subtask to update in format "parentId.subtaskId" (e.g., "5.2"). Parent ID is the ID of the task that contains the subtask.'
 			),
-			prompt: z.string().describe('Information to add to the subtask'),
+			prompt: z
+				.string()
+				.optional()
+				.describe(
+					'Information to add to the subtask. Required unless only updating metadata.'
+				),
 			research: z
 				.boolean()
 				.optional()
 				.describe('Use Perplexity AI for research-backed updates'),
+			metadata: z
+				.string()
+				.optional()
+				.describe(
+					'JSON string of metadata to merge into subtask metadata. Example: \'{"ticketId": "JIRA-456", "reviewed": true}\'. Requires TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES=true in MCP environment.'
+				),
 			file: z.string().optional().describe('Absolute path to the tasks file'),
 			projectRoot: z
 				.string()
@@ -65,12 +77,29 @@ export function registerUpdateSubtaskTool(server) {
 					);
 				}

+				// Validate metadata if provided
+				const validationResult = validateMcpMetadata(
+					args.metadata,
+					createErrorResponse
+				);
+				if (validationResult.error) {
+					return validationResult.error;
+				}
+				const parsedMetadata = validationResult.parsedMetadata;
+				// Validate that at least prompt or metadata is provided
+				if (!args.prompt && !parsedMetadata) {
+					return createErrorResponse(
+						'Either prompt or metadata must be provided for update-subtask'
+					);
+				}
+
 				const result = await updateSubtaskByIdDirect(
 					{
 						tasksJsonPath: tasksJsonPath,
 						id: args.id,
 						prompt: args.prompt,
 						research: args.research,
+						metadata: parsedMetadata,
 						projectRoot: args.projectRoot,
 						tag: resolvedTag
 					},
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/update-task.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/update-task.js
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@
 import {
 	createErrorResponse,
 	handleApiResult,
-	withNormalizedProjectRoot
+	withNormalizedProjectRoot,
+	validateMcpMetadata
 } from '@tm/mcp';
 import { z } from 'zod';
 import { resolveTag } from '../../../scripts/modules/utils.js';
@@ -30,7 +31,10 @@ export function registerUpdateTaskTool(server) {
 				),
 			prompt: z
 				.string()
-				.describe('New information or context to incorporate into the task'),
+				.optional()
+				.describe(
+					'New information or context to incorporate into the task. Required unless only updating metadata.'
+				),
 			research: z
 				.boolean()
 				.optional()
@@ -41,6 +45,12 @@ export function registerUpdateTaskTool(server) {
 				.describe(
 					'Append timestamped information to task details instead of full update'
 				),
+			metadata: z
+				.string()
+				.optional()
+				.describe(
+					'JSON string of metadata to merge into task metadata. Example: \'{"githubIssue": 42, "sprint": "Q1-S3"}\'. Requires TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES=true in MCP environment.'
+				),
 			file: z.string().optional().describe('Absolute path to the tasks file'),
 			projectRoot: z
 				.string()
@@ -76,7 +86,23 @@ export function registerUpdateTaskTool(server) {
 					);
 				}

-				// 3. Call Direct Function - Include projectRoot
+				// Validate metadata if provided
+				const validationResult = validateMcpMetadata(
+					args.metadata,
+					createErrorResponse
+				);
+				if (validationResult.error) {
+					return validationResult.error;
+				}
+				const parsedMetadata = validationResult.parsedMetadata;
+				// Validate that at least prompt or metadata is provided
+				if (!args.prompt && !parsedMetadata) {
+					return createErrorResponse(
+						'Either prompt or metadata must be provided for update-task'
+					);
+				}
+
+				// Call Direct Function - Include projectRoot and metadata
 				const result = await updateTaskByIdDirect(
 					{
 						tasksJsonPath: tasksJsonPath,
@@ -84,6 +110,7 @@ export function registerUpdateTaskTool(server) {
 						prompt: args.prompt,
 						research: args.research,
 						append: args.append,
+						metadata: parsedMetadata,
 						projectRoot: args.projectRoot,
 						tag: resolvedTag
 					},
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@
 				"task-master-mcp": "dist/mcp-server.js"
 			},
 			"devDependencies": {
+				"@anthropic-ai/mcpb": "^2.1.2",
 				"@biomejs/biome": "^1.9.4",
 				"@changesets/changelog-github": "^0.5.1",
 				"@changesets/cli": "^2.28.1",
@@ -1950,6 +1951,429 @@
 				"url": "https://opencollective.com/express"
 			}
 		},
+		"apps/extension/node_modules/iconv-lite": {
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@@ -2431,6 +2855,308 @@
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+		"node_modules/flora-colossus/node_modules/fs-extra": {
+			"version": "10.1.0",
+			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/fs-extra/-/fs-extra-10.1.0.tgz",
+			"integrity": "sha512-oRXApq54ETRj4eMiFzGnHWGy+zo5raudjuxN0b8H7s/RU2oW0Wvsx9O0ACRN/kRq9E8Vu/ReskGB5o3ji+FzHQ==",
+			"dev": true,
+			"license": "MIT",
+			"dependencies": {
+				"graceful-fs": "^4.2.0",
+				"jsonfile": "^6.0.1",
+				"universalify": "^2.0.0"
+			},
+			"engines": {
+				"node": ">=12"
+			}
+		},
 		"node_modules/follow-redirects": {
 			"version": "1.15.11",
 			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/follow-redirects/-/follow-redirects-1.15.11.tgz",
@@ -20560,6 +21387,36 @@
 			"integrity": "sha512-Tt4kuxLXFKHy8KT40zwsUPUkg1CrsgY25FxA2U/j/0WgEDCk3ddc/zLTCCcbSHX9FcKtLuVaDGtGE/STWC+j3Q==",
 			"license": "BSD-3-Clause"
 		},
+		"node_modules/galactus": {
+			"version": "1.0.0",
+			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/galactus/-/galactus-1.0.0.tgz",
+			"integrity": "sha512-R1fam6D4CyKQGNlvJne4dkNF+PvUUl7TAJInvTGa9fti9qAv95quQz29GXapA4d8Ec266mJJxFVh82M4GIIGDQ==",
+			"dev": true,
+			"license": "MIT",
+			"dependencies": {
+				"debug": "^4.3.4",
+				"flora-colossus": "^2.0.0",
+				"fs-extra": "^10.1.0"
+			},
+			"engines": {
+				"node": ">= 12"
+			}
+		},
+		"node_modules/galactus/node_modules/fs-extra": {
+			"version": "10.1.0",
+			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/fs-extra/-/fs-extra-10.1.0.tgz",
+			"integrity": "sha512-oRXApq54ETRj4eMiFzGnHWGy+zo5raudjuxN0b8H7s/RU2oW0Wvsx9O0ACRN/kRq9E8Vu/ReskGB5o3ji+FzHQ==",
+			"dev": true,
+			"license": "MIT",
+			"dependencies": {
+				"graceful-fs": "^4.2.0",
+				"jsonfile": "^6.0.1",
+				"universalify": "^2.0.0"
+			},
+			"engines": {
+				"node": ">=12"
+			}
+		},
 		"node_modules/gaxios": {
 			"version": "6.7.1",
 			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/gaxios/-/gaxios-6.7.1.tgz",
@@ -28110,6 +28967,16 @@
 				}
 			}
 		},
+		"node_modules/node-forge": {
+			"version": "1.3.3",
+			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/node-forge/-/node-forge-1.3.3.tgz",
+			"integrity": "sha512-rLvcdSyRCyouf6jcOIPe/BgwG/d7hKjzMKOas33/pHEr6gbq18IK9zV7DiPvzsz0oBJPme6qr6H6kGZuI9/DZg==",
+			"dev": true,
+			"license": "(BSD-3-Clause OR GPL-2.0)",
+			"engines": {
+				"node": ">= 6.13.0"
+			}
+		},
 		"node_modules/node-gyp-build": {
 			"version": "4.8.4",
 			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/node-gyp-build/-/node-gyp-build-4.8.4.tgz",
@@ -28668,6 +29535,16 @@
 				"url": "https://github.com/sponsors/sindresorhus"
 			}
 		},
+		"node_modules/os-tmpdir": {
+			"version": "1.0.2",
+			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/os-tmpdir/-/os-tmpdir-1.0.2.tgz",
+			"integrity": "sha512-D2FR03Vir7FIu45XBY20mTb+/ZSWB00sjU9jdQXt83gDrI4Ztz5Fs7/yy74g2N5SVQY4xY1qDr4rNddwYRVX0g==",
+			"dev": true,
+			"license": "MIT",
+			"engines": {
+				"node": ">=0.10.0"
+			}
+		},
 		"node_modules/outdent": {
 			"version": "0.5.0",
 			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/outdent/-/outdent-0.5.0.tgz",
@@ -29578,6 +30455,19 @@
 				"url": "https://github.com/prettier/prettier?sponsor=1"
 			}
 		},
+		"node_modules/pretty-bytes": {
+			"version": "5.6.0",
+			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/pretty-bytes/-/pretty-bytes-5.6.0.tgz",
+			"integrity": "sha512-FFw039TmrBqFK8ma/7OL3sDz/VytdtJr044/QUJtH0wK9lb9jLq9tJyIxUwtQJHwar2BqtiA4iCWSwo9JLkzFg==",
+			"dev": true,
+			"license": "MIT",
+			"engines": {
+				"node": ">=6"
+			},
+			"funding": {
+				"url": "https://github.com/sponsors/sindresorhus"
+			}
+		},
 		"node_modules/pretty-format": {
 			"version": "29.7.0",
 			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/pretty-format/-/pretty-format-29.7.0.tgz",
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 		"postpack": "chmod +x dist/task-master.js dist/mcp-server.js",
 		"changeset": "changeset",
 		"changeset:validate": "node .github/scripts/validate-changesets.mjs",
-		"version": "changeset version",
+		"version": "changeset version && node ./.github/scripts/sync-manifest-version.mjs && npm i --package-lock-only",
 		"release": "node ./.github/scripts/release.mjs",
 		"publish-packages": "turbo run build lint test && changeset version && changeset publish",
 		"inspector": "npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node dist/mcp-server.js",
@@ -114,14 +114,14 @@
 		"ollama-ai-provider-v2": "^1.3.1",
 		"open": "^10.2.0",
 		"ora": "^8.2.0",
+		"proper-lockfile": "^4.1.2",
 		"simple-git": "^3.28.0",
 		"steno": "^4.0.2",
 		"terminal-link": "^5.0.0",
 		"turndown": "^7.2.2",
 		"undici": "^7.16.0",
 		"uuid": "^11.1.0",
-		"zod": "^4.1.12",
-		"proper-lockfile": "^4.1.2"
+		"zod": "^4.1.12"
 	},
 	"optionalDependencies": {
 		"@anthropic-ai/claude-code": "^2.0.59",
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@
 		"whatwg-url": "^11.0.0"
 	},
 	"devDependencies": {
+		"@anthropic-ai/mcpb": "^2.1.2",
 		"@biomejs/biome": "^1.9.4",
 		"@changesets/changelog-github": "^0.5.1",
 		"@changesets/cli": "^2.28.1",
--- a/packages/tm-bridge/src/update-bridge.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-bridge/src/update-bridge.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ export interface UpdateBridgeParams extends BaseBridgeParams {
 	prompt: string;
 	/** Whether to append or full update (default: false) */
 	appendMode?: boolean;
+	/** Whether to use research mode (default: false) */
+	useResearch?: boolean;
+	/** Metadata to merge into task (for metadata-only updates or alongside prompt) */
+	metadata?: Record<string, unknown>;
 }

 /**
@@ -45,6 +49,8 @@ export async function tryUpdateViaRemote(
 		projectRoot,
 		tag,
 		appendMode = false,
+		useResearch = false,
+		metadata,
 		isMCP = false,
 		outputFormat = 'text',
 		report
@@ -76,7 +82,9 @@ export async function tryUpdateViaRemote(
 	try {
 		// Call the API storage method which handles the remote update
 		await tmCore.tasks.updateWithPrompt(String(taskId), prompt, tag, {
-			mode
+			mode,
+			useResearch,
+			...(metadata && { metadata })
 		});

 		if (spinner) {
--- a/packages/tm-core/src/common/types/index.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/common/types/index.ts
@@ -156,6 +156,13 @@ export interface Task extends TaskImplementationMetadata {
 	recommendedSubtasks?: number;
 	expansionPrompt?: string;
 	complexityReasoning?: string;
+
+	/**
+	 * User-defined metadata that survives all task operations.
+	 * Use for external IDs, custom workflow data, integrations, etc.
+	 * This field is preserved through AI operations, updates, and serialization.
+	 */
+	metadata?: Record<string, unknown>;
 }

 /**
--- a/packages/tm-core/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/index.ts
@@ -49,6 +49,9 @@ export type {
 // Storage adapters - FileStorage for direct local file access
 export { FileStorage } from './modules/storage/index.js';

+// File operations - for atomic file modifications
+export { FileOperations } from './modules/storage/adapters/file-storage/file-operations.js';
+
 // Constants
 export * from './common/constants/index.js';

@@ -152,7 +155,8 @@ export type {
 	LoopPreset,
 	LoopConfig,
 	LoopIteration,
-	LoopResult
+	LoopResult,
+	LoopOutputCallbacks
 } from './modules/loop/index.js';
 export { LoopDomain, PRESET_NAMES } from './modules/loop/index.js';

--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/index.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/index.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ export type {
 	LoopPreset,
 	LoopConfig,
 	LoopIteration,
-	LoopResult
+	LoopResult,
+	LoopOutputCallbacks
 } from './types.js';

 // Presets - content and helpers
--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/loop-domain.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/loop-domain.ts
@@ -190,7 +190,11 @@ export class LoopDomain {
 				path.join(this.projectRoot, '.taskmaster', 'progress.txt'),
 			sleepSeconds: partial.sleepSeconds ?? 5,
 			tag: partial.tag,
-			sandbox: partial.sandbox ?? false
+			sandbox: partial.sandbox ?? false,
+			includeOutput: partial.includeOutput ?? false,
+			verbose: partial.verbose ?? false,
+			brief: partial.brief,
+			callbacks: partial.callbacks
 		};
 	}
 }
--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/snapshots/presets.spec.ts.snap
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/snapshots/presets.spec.ts.snap
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 exports[`Preset Snapshots > default preset matches snapshot 1`] = `
 "SETUP: If task-master command not found, run: npm i -g task-master-ai

-TASK: Implement ONE task/subtask from the Task Master backlog.
+TASK: Implement ONE task/subtask from the Taskmaster backlog.

 PROCESS:
 1. Run task-master next (or use MCP) to get the next available task/subtask.
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ IMPORTANT:
 `;

 exports[`Preset Snapshots > duplication preset matches snapshot 1`] = `
-"# Task Master Loop - Duplication
+"# Taskmaster Loop - Duplication

 Find duplicated code and refactor into shared utilities. ONE refactor per session.

@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ Find duplicated code and refactor into shared utilities. ONE refactor per sessio
 `;

 exports[`Preset Snapshots > entropy preset matches snapshot 1`] = `
-"# Task Master Loop - Entropy (Code Smells)
+"# Taskmaster Loop - Entropy (Code Smells)

 Find code smells and clean them up. ONE cleanup per session.

@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ Find code smells and clean them up. ONE cleanup per session.
 `;

 exports[`Preset Snapshots > linting preset matches snapshot 1`] = `
-"# Task Master Loop - Linting
+"# Taskmaster Loop - Linting

 Fix lint errors and type errors one by one. ONE fix per session.

@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ Fix lint errors and type errors one by one. ONE fix per session.
 `;

 exports[`Preset Snapshots > test-coverage preset matches snapshot 1`] = `
-"# Task Master Loop - Test Coverage
+"# Taskmaster Loop - Test Coverage

 Find uncovered code and write meaningful tests. ONE test per session.

--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/default.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/default.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 /**
- * Default preset for Task Master loop - general task completion
+ * Default preset for Taskmaster loop - general task completion
 * Matches the structure of scripts/loop.sh prompt
 */
 export const DEFAULT_PRESET = `SETUP: If task-master command not found, run: npm i -g task-master-ai

-TASK: Implement ONE task/subtask from the Task Master backlog.
+TASK: Implement ONE task/subtask from the Taskmaster backlog.

 PROCESS:
 1. Run task-master next (or use MCP) to get the next available task/subtask.
--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/duplication.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/duplication.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /**
- * Duplication preset for Task Master loop - code deduplication
+ * Duplication preset for Taskmaster loop - code deduplication
 */
-export const DUPLICATION_PRESET = `# Task Master Loop - Duplication
+export const DUPLICATION_PRESET = `# Taskmaster Loop - Duplication

 Find duplicated code and refactor into shared utilities. ONE refactor per session.

--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/entropy.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/entropy.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 * @fileoverview Entropy (Code Smells) preset for loop module
 */

-export const ENTROPY_PRESET = `# Task Master Loop - Entropy (Code Smells)
+export const ENTROPY_PRESET = `# Taskmaster Loop - Entropy (Code Smells)

 Find code smells and clean them up. ONE cleanup per session.

--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/linting.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/linting.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /**
- * Linting preset for Task Master loop - fix lint and type errors
+ * Linting preset for Taskmaster loop - fix lint and type errors
 */
-export const LINTING_PRESET = `# Task Master Loop - Linting
+export const LINTING_PRESET = `# Taskmaster Loop - Linting

 Fix lint errors and type errors one by one. ONE fix per session.

--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/test-coverage.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/presets/test-coverage.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /**
- * Test coverage preset for Task Master loop - writing meaningful tests
+ * Test coverage preset for Taskmaster loop - writing meaningful tests
 */
-export const TEST_COVERAGE_PRESET = `# Task Master Loop - Test Coverage
+export const TEST_COVERAGE_PRESET = `# Taskmaster Loop - Test Coverage

 Find uncovered code and write meaningful tests. ONE test per session.

--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/services/loop.service.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/services/loop.service.spec.ts
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ describe('LoopService', () => {
 				// Uses appendFile instead of writeFile to preserve existing progress
 				expect(fsPromises.appendFile).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
 					'/test/progress.txt',
-					expect.stringContaining('# Task Master Loop Progress'),
+					expect.stringContaining('# Taskmaster Loop Progress'),
 					'utf-8'
 				);
 			});
@@ -619,12 +619,13 @@ describe('LoopService', () => {
 			expect(header).toContain('@/test/progress.txt');
 		});

-		it('should include tasks file reference', () => {
+		it('should NOT include tasks file reference (preset controls task source)', () => {
 			const header = buildContextHeader(
 				{ iterations: 1, progressFile: '/test/progress.txt' },
 				1
 			);
-			expect(header).toContain('@.taskmaster/tasks/tasks.json');
+			// tasks.json intentionally excluded - let preset control task source to avoid confusion
+			expect(header).not.toContain('tasks.json');
 		});

 		it('should include tag filter when provided', () => {
--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/services/loop.service.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/services/loop.service.ts
@@ -2,13 +2,15 @@
 * @fileoverview Loop Service - Orchestrates running Claude Code iterations (sandbox or CLI mode)
 */

-import { spawnSync } from 'node:child_process';
+import { spawn, spawnSync } from 'node:child_process';
 import { appendFile, mkdir, readFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
 import path from 'node:path';
+import { getLogger } from '../../../common/logger/index.js';
 import { PRESETS, isPreset as checkIsPreset } from '../presets/index.js';
 import type {
 	LoopConfig,
 	LoopIteration,
+	LoopOutputCallbacks,
 	LoopPreset,
 	LoopResult
 } from '../types.js';
@@ -19,6 +21,7 @@ export interface LoopServiceOptions {

 export class LoopService {
 	private readonly projectRoot: string;
+	private readonly logger = getLogger('LoopService');
 	private _isRunning = false;

 	constructor(options: LoopServiceOptions) {
@@ -109,6 +112,20 @@ export class LoopService {

 	/** Run a loop with the given configuration */
 	async run(config: LoopConfig): Promise<LoopResult> {
+		// Validate incompatible options early - fail once, not per iteration
+		if (config.verbose && config.sandbox) {
+			const errorMsg =
+				'Verbose mode is not supported with sandbox mode. Use --verbose without --sandbox, or remove --verbose.';
+			this.reportError(config.callbacks, errorMsg);
+			return {
+				iterations: [],
+				totalIterations: 0,
+				tasksCompleted: 0,
+				finalStatus: 'error',
+				errorMessage: errorMsg
+			};
+		}
+
 		this._isRunning = true;
 		const iterations: LoopIteration[] = [];
 		let tasksCompleted = 0;
@@ -116,18 +133,23 @@ export class LoopService {
 		await this.initProgressFile(config);

 		for (let i = 1; i <= config.iterations && this._isRunning; i++) {
-			// Show iteration header
-			console.log();
-			console.log(`━━━ Iteration ${i} of ${config.iterations} ━━━`);
+			// Notify presentation layer of iteration start
+			config.callbacks?.onIterationStart?.(i, config.iterations);

 			const prompt = await this.buildPrompt(config, i);
-			const iteration = this.executeIteration(
+			const iteration = await this.executeIteration(
 				prompt,
 				i,
-				config.sandbox ?? false
+				config.sandbox ?? false,
+				config.includeOutput ?? false,
+				config.verbose ?? false,
+				config.callbacks
 			);
 			iterations.push(iteration);

+			// Notify presentation layer of iteration completion
+			config.callbacks?.onIterationEnd?.(iteration);
+
 			// Check for early exit conditions
 			if (iteration.status === 'complete') {
 				return this.finalize(
@@ -177,21 +199,41 @@ export class LoopService {
 		return result;
 	}

+	/**
+	 * Report an error via callback if provided, otherwise log to the logger.
+	 * Ensures errors are never silently swallowed when callbacks aren't configured.
+	 */
+	private reportError(
+		callbacks: LoopOutputCallbacks | undefined,
+		message: string,
+		severity: 'warning' | 'error' = 'error'
+	): void {
+		if (callbacks?.onError) {
+			callbacks.onError(message, severity);
+		} else if (severity === 'warning') {
+			this.logger.warn(message);
+		} else {
+			this.logger.error(message);
+		}
+	}
+
 	private async initProgressFile(config: LoopConfig): Promise<void> {
 		await mkdir(path.dirname(config.progressFile), { recursive: true });
-		const tagLine = config.tag ? `# Tag: ${config.tag}\n` : '';
+		const lines = [
+			'# Taskmaster Loop Progress',
+			`# Started: ${new Date().toISOString()}`,
+			...(config.brief ? [`# Brief: ${config.brief}`] : []),
+			`# Preset: ${config.prompt}`,
+			`# Max Iterations: ${config.iterations}`,
+			...(config.tag ? [`# Tag: ${config.tag}`] : []),
+			'',
+			'---',
+			''
+		];
 		// Append to existing progress file instead of overwriting
 		await appendFile(
 			config.progressFile,
-			`
-# Task Master Loop Progress
-# Started: ${new Date().toISOString()}
-# Preset: ${config.prompt}
-# Max Iterations: ${config.iterations}
-${tagLine}
---
-
-`,
+			'\n' + lines.join('\n') + '\n',
 			'utf-8'
 		);
 	}
@@ -230,7 +272,8 @@ ${tagLine}

 	private buildContextHeader(config: LoopConfig, iteration: number): string {
 		const tagInfo = config.tag ? ` (tag: ${config.tag})` : '';
-		return `@${config.progressFile} @.taskmaster/tasks/tasks.json @CLAUDE.md
+		// Note: tasks.json reference removed - let the preset control task source to avoid confusion
+		return `@${config.progressFile} @CLAUDE.md

 Loop iteration ${iteration} of ${config.iterations}${tagInfo}`;
 	}
@@ -262,63 +305,56 @@ Loop iteration ${iteration} of ${config.iterations}${tagInfo}`;
 		return { status: 'success' };
 	}

-	private executeIteration(
+	private async executeIteration(
 		prompt: string,
 		iterationNum: number,
-		sandbox: boolean
-	): LoopIteration {
+		sandbox: boolean,
+		includeOutput = false,
+		verbose = false,
+		callbacks?: LoopOutputCallbacks
+	): Promise<LoopIteration> {
 		const startTime = Date.now();
-
-		// Use docker sandbox or plain claude based on config
 		const command = sandbox ? 'docker' : 'claude';
-		const args = sandbox
-			? ['sandbox', 'run', 'claude', '-p', prompt]
-			: ['-p', prompt, '--dangerously-skip-permissions'];

+		if (verbose) {
+			return this.executeVerboseIteration(
+				prompt,
+				iterationNum,
+				command,
+				sandbox,
+				includeOutput,
+				startTime,
+				callbacks
+			);
+		}
+
+		const args = this.buildCommandArgs(prompt, sandbox, false);
 		const result = spawnSync(command, args, {
 			cwd: this.projectRoot,
 			encoding: 'utf-8',
-			maxBuffer: 50 * 1024 * 1024, // 50MB buffer
+			maxBuffer: 50 * 1024 * 1024,
 			stdio: ['inherit', 'pipe', 'pipe']
 		});

-		// Check for spawn-level errors (command not found, permission denied, etc.)
 		if (result.error) {
-			const code = (result.error as NodeJS.ErrnoException).code;
-			let errorMessage: string;
-
-			if (code === 'ENOENT') {
-				errorMessage = sandbox
-					? 'Docker is not installed. Install Docker Desktop to use --sandbox mode.'
-					: 'Claude CLI is not installed. Install with: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code';
-			} else if (code === 'EACCES') {
-				errorMessage = `Permission denied executing '${command}'`;
-			} else {
-				errorMessage = `Failed to execute '${command}': ${result.error.message}`;
-			}
-
-			console.error(`[Loop Error] ${errorMessage}`);
-			return {
-				iteration: iterationNum,
-				status: 'error',
-				duration: Date.now() - startTime,
-				message: errorMessage
-			};
+			const errorMessage = this.formatCommandError(
+				result.error,
+				command,
+				sandbox
+			);
+			this.reportError(callbacks, errorMessage);
+			return this.createErrorIteration(iterationNum, startTime, errorMessage);
 		}

 		const output = (result.stdout || '') + (result.stderr || '');
+		if (output) {
+			callbacks?.onOutput?.(output);
+		}

-		// Print output to console (spawnSync with pipe captures but doesn't display)
-		if (output) console.log(output);
-
-		// Handle null status (spawn failed but no error object - shouldn't happen but be safe)
 		if (result.status === null) {
-			return {
-				iteration: iterationNum,
-				status: 'error',
-				duration: Date.now() - startTime,
-				message: 'Command terminated abnormally (no exit code)'
-			};
+			const errorMsg = 'Command terminated abnormally (no exit code)';
+			this.reportError(callbacks, errorMsg);
+			return this.createErrorIteration(iterationNum, startTime, errorMsg);
 		}

 		const { status, message } = this.parseCompletion(output, result.status);
@@ -326,7 +362,282 @@ Loop iteration ${iteration} of ${config.iterations}${tagInfo}`;
 			iteration: iterationNum,
 			status,
 			duration: Date.now() - startTime,
+			message,
+			...(includeOutput && { output })
+		};
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Execute an iteration with verbose output (shows Claude's work in real-time).
+	 * Uses Claude's stream-json format to display assistant messages as they arrive.
+	 * @param prompt - The prompt to send to Claude
+	 * @param iterationNum - Current iteration number (1-indexed)
+	 * @param command - The command to execute ('claude' or 'docker')
+	 * @param sandbox - Whether running in Docker sandbox mode
+	 * @param includeOutput - Whether to include full output in the result
+	 * @param startTime - Timestamp when iteration started (for duration calculation)
+	 * @param callbacks - Optional callbacks for presentation layer output
+	 * @returns Promise resolving to the iteration result
+	 */
+	private executeVerboseIteration(
+		prompt: string,
+		iterationNum: number,
+		command: string,
+		sandbox: boolean,
+		includeOutput: boolean,
+		startTime: number,
+		callbacks?: LoopOutputCallbacks
+	): Promise<LoopIteration> {
+		const args = this.buildCommandArgs(prompt, sandbox, true);
+
+		return new Promise((resolve) => {
+			// Prevent multiple resolutions from race conditions between error/close events
+			let isResolved = false;
+			const resolveOnce = (result: LoopIteration): void => {
+				if (!isResolved) {
+					isResolved = true;
+					resolve(result);
+				}
+			};
+
+			const child = spawn(command, args, {
+				cwd: this.projectRoot,
+				stdio: ['inherit', 'pipe', 'pipe']
+			});
+
+			// Track stdout completion to handle race between data and close events
+			let stdoutEnded = false;
+			let finalResult = '';
+			let buffer = '';
+
+			const processLine = (line: string): void => {
+				if (!line.startsWith('{')) return;
+
+				try {
+					const event = JSON.parse(line);
+
+					// Validate event structure before accessing properties
+					if (!this.isValidStreamEvent(event)) {
+						return;
+					}
+
+					this.handleStreamEvent(event, callbacks);
+
+					// Capture final result for includeOutput feature
+					if (event.type === 'result') {
+						finalResult = typeof event.result === 'string' ? event.result : '';
+					}
+				} catch (error) {
+					// Log malformed JSON for debugging (non-JSON lines like system output are expected)
+					if (line.trim().startsWith('{')) {
+						const parseError = `Failed to parse JSON event: ${error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error'}. Line: ${line.substring(0, 100)}...`;
+						this.reportError(callbacks, parseError, 'warning');
+					}
+				}
+			};
+
+			// Handle null stdout (shouldn't happen with pipe, but be defensive)
+			if (!child.stdout) {
+				resolveOnce(
+					this.createErrorIteration(
+						iterationNum,
+						startTime,
+						'Failed to capture stdout from child process'
+					)
+				);
+				return;
+			}
+
+			child.stdout.on('data', (data: Buffer) => {
+				try {
+					const lines = this.processBufferedLines(
+						buffer,
+						data.toString('utf-8')
+					);
+					buffer = lines.remaining;
+					for (const line of lines.complete) {
+						processLine(line);
+					}
+				} catch (error) {
+					this.reportError(
+						callbacks,
+						`Failed to process stdout data: ${error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error'}`,
+						'warning'
+					);
+				}
+			});
+
+			child.stdout.on('end', () => {
+				stdoutEnded = true;
+				// Process any remaining buffer when stdout ends
+				if (buffer) {
+					processLine(buffer);
+					buffer = '';
+				}
+			});
+
+			child.stderr?.on('data', (data: Buffer) => {
+				const stderrText = data.toString('utf-8');
+				callbacks?.onStderr?.(iterationNum, stderrText);
+			});
+
+			child.on('error', (error: NodeJS.ErrnoException) => {
+				const errorMessage = this.formatCommandError(error, command, sandbox);
+				this.reportError(callbacks, errorMessage);
+
+				// Cleanup: remove listeners and kill process if still running
+				child.stdout?.removeAllListeners();
+				child.stderr?.removeAllListeners();
+				if (!child.killed) {
+					try {
+						child.kill('SIGTERM');
+					} catch {
+						// Process may have already exited
+					}
+				}
+
+				resolveOnce(
+					this.createErrorIteration(iterationNum, startTime, errorMessage)
+				);
+			});
+
+			child.on('close', (exitCode: number | null) => {
+				// Process remaining buffer only if stdout hasn't already ended
+				if (!stdoutEnded && buffer) {
+					processLine(buffer);
+				}
+
+				if (exitCode === null) {
+					const errorMsg = 'Command terminated abnormally (no exit code)';
+					this.reportError(callbacks, errorMsg);
+					resolveOnce(
+						this.createErrorIteration(iterationNum, startTime, errorMsg)
+					);
+					return;
+				}
+
+				const { status, message } = this.parseCompletion(finalResult, exitCode);
+				resolveOnce({
+					iteration: iterationNum,
+					status,
+					duration: Date.now() - startTime,
+					message,
+					...(includeOutput && { output: finalResult })
+				});
+			});
+		});
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Validate that a parsed JSON object has the expected stream event structure.
+	 */
+	private isValidStreamEvent(event: unknown): event is {
+		type: string;
+		message?: {
+			content?: Array<{ type: string; text?: string; name?: string }>;
+		};
+		result?: string;
+	} {
+		if (!event || typeof event !== 'object') {
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		const e = event as Record<string, unknown>;
+		if (!('type' in e) || typeof e.type !== 'string') {
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		// Validate message structure if present
+		if ('message' in e && e.message !== undefined) {
+			if (typeof e.message !== 'object' || e.message === null) {
+				return false;
+			}
+			const msg = e.message as Record<string, unknown>;
+			if ('content' in msg && !Array.isArray(msg.content)) {
+				return false;
+			}
+		}
+
+		return true;
+	}
+
+	private buildCommandArgs(
+		prompt: string,
+		sandbox: boolean,
+		verbose: boolean
+	): string[] {
+		if (sandbox) {
+			return ['sandbox', 'run', 'claude', '-p', prompt];
+		}
+
+		const args = ['-p', prompt, '--dangerously-skip-permissions'];
+		if (verbose) {
+			// Use stream-json format to show Claude's work in real-time
+			args.push('--output-format', 'stream-json', '--verbose');
+		}
+		return args;
+	}
+
+	private formatCommandError(
+		error: NodeJS.ErrnoException,
+		command: string,
+		sandbox: boolean
+	): string {
+		if (error.code === 'ENOENT') {
+			return sandbox
+				? 'Docker is not installed. Install Docker Desktop to use --sandbox mode.'
+				: 'Claude CLI is not installed. Install with: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code';
+		}
+
+		if (error.code === 'EACCES') {
+			return `Permission denied executing '${command}'`;
+		}
+
+		return `Failed to execute '${command}': ${error.message}`;
+	}
+
+	private createErrorIteration(
+		iterationNum: number,
+		startTime: number,
+		message: string
+	): LoopIteration {
+		return {
+			iteration: iterationNum,
+			status: 'error',
+			duration: Date.now() - startTime,
 			message
 		};
 	}
+
+	private handleStreamEvent(
+		event: {
+			type: string;
+			message?: {
+				content?: Array<{ type: string; text?: string; name?: string }>;
+			};
+		},
+		callbacks?: LoopOutputCallbacks
+	): void {
+		if (event.type !== 'assistant' || !event.message?.content) return;
+
+		for (const block of event.message.content) {
+			if (block.type === 'text' && block.text) {
+				callbacks?.onText?.(block.text);
+			} else if (block.type === 'tool_use' && block.name) {
+				callbacks?.onToolUse?.(block.name);
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	private processBufferedLines(
+		buffer: string,
+		newData: string
+	): { complete: string[]; remaining: string } {
+		const combined = buffer + newData;
+		const lines = combined.split('\n');
+		return {
+			complete: lines.slice(0, -1),
+			remaining: lines[lines.length - 1]
+		};
+	}
 }
--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/types.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/loop/types.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,33 @@ export type LoopPreset =
 	| 'duplication'
 	| 'entropy';

+/**
+ * Output callbacks for loop execution.
+ * These allow the caller (CLI/MCP) to handle presentation while
+ * the service stays focused on business logic.
+ *
+ * Callback modes:
+ * - `onIterationStart`, `onIterationEnd`, `onError`, `onStderr`: Called in both verbose and non-verbose modes
+ * - `onText`, `onToolUse`: Called only in VERBOSE mode (--verbose flag)
+ * - `onOutput`: Called only in NON-VERBOSE mode (default)
+ */
+export interface LoopOutputCallbacks {
+	/** Called at the start of each iteration (both modes) */
+	onIterationStart?: (iteration: number, total: number) => void;
+	/** Called when Claude outputs text (VERBOSE MODE ONLY) */
+	onText?: (text: string) => void;
+	/** Called when Claude invokes a tool (VERBOSE MODE ONLY) */
+	onToolUse?: (toolName: string) => void;
+	/** Called when an error occurs (both modes) */
+	onError?: (message: string, severity?: 'warning' | 'error') => void;
+	/** Called for stderr output (both modes) */
+	onStderr?: (iteration: number, text: string) => void;
+	/** Called when non-verbose iteration completes with output (NON-VERBOSE MODE ONLY) */
+	onOutput?: (output: string) => void;
+	/** Called at the end of each iteration with the result (both modes) */
+	onIterationEnd?: (iteration: LoopIteration) => void;
+}
+
 /**
 * Configuration options for a loop execution
 */
@@ -28,6 +55,39 @@ export interface LoopConfig {
 	tag?: string;
 	/** Run Claude in Docker sandbox mode (default: false) */
 	sandbox?: boolean;
+	/**
+	 * Include full Claude output in iteration results (default: false)
+	 *
+	 * When true: `LoopIteration.output` will contain full stdout+stderr text
+	 * When false: `LoopIteration.output` will be undefined (saves memory)
+	 *
+	 * Can be combined with `verbose=true` to both display and capture output.
+	 * Note: Output can be large (up to 50MB per iteration).
+	 */
+	includeOutput?: boolean;
+	/**
+	 * Show Claude's work in real-time instead of just the result (default: false)
+	 *
+	 * When true: Output appears as Claude generates it (shows thinking, tool calls)
+	 * When false: Output appears only after iteration completes
+	 *
+	 * Independent of `includeOutput` - controls display timing, not capture.
+	 * Note: NOT compatible with `sandbox=true` (will return error).
+	 */
+	verbose?: boolean;
+	/**
+	 * Brief title describing the current initiative/goal (optional)
+	 *
+	 * If provided, included in the progress file header to give Claude
+	 * context about the bigger picture across iterations.
+	 * Example: "Implement streaming output for loop command"
+	 */
+	brief?: string;
+	/**
+	 * Output callbacks for presentation layer (CLI/MCP).
+	 * If not provided, the service runs silently (no console output).
+	 */
+	callbacks?: LoopOutputCallbacks;
 }

 /**
@@ -44,6 +104,15 @@ export interface LoopIteration {
 	message?: string;
 	/** Duration of this iteration in milliseconds */
 	duration?: number;
+	/**
+	 * Full Claude output text
+	 *
+	 * ONLY present when `LoopConfig.includeOutput=true`.
+	 * Contains concatenated stdout and stderr from Claude CLI execution.
+	 * May include ANSI color codes and tool call output.
+	 * Can be large - use `includeOutput=false` to save memory.
+	 */
+	output?: string;
 }

 /**
@@ -58,4 +127,6 @@ export interface LoopResult {
 	tasksCompleted: number;
 	/** Final status of the loop */
 	finalStatus: 'all_complete' | 'max_iterations' | 'blocked' | 'error';
+	/** Error message when finalStatus is 'error' (optional) */
+	errorMessage?: string;
 }
--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/storage/adapters/file-storage/file-storage.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/storage/adapters/file-storage/file-storage.ts
@@ -283,6 +283,7 @@ export class FileStorage implements IStorage {

 	/**
 	 * Normalize task IDs - keep Task IDs as strings, Subtask IDs as numbers
+	 * Note: Uses spread operator to preserve all task properties including user-defined metadata
 	 */
 	private normalizeTaskIds(tasks: Task[]): Task[] {
 		return tasks.map((task) => ({
@@ -372,9 +373,37 @@ export class FileStorage implements IStorage {
 			throw new Error(`Task ${taskId} not found`);
 		}

+		const existingTask = tasks[taskIndex];
+
+		// Preserve subtask metadata when subtasks are updated
+		// AI operations don't include metadata in returned subtasks
+		let mergedSubtasks = updates.subtasks;
+		if (updates.subtasks && existingTask.subtasks) {
+			mergedSubtasks = updates.subtasks.map((updatedSubtask) => {
+				// Type-coerce IDs for comparison; fall back to title match if IDs don't match
+				const originalSubtask = existingTask.subtasks?.find(
+					(st) =>
+						String(st.id) === String(updatedSubtask.id) ||
+						(updatedSubtask.title && st.title === updatedSubtask.title)
+				);
+				// Merge metadata: preserve original and add/override with new
+				if (originalSubtask?.metadata || updatedSubtask.metadata) {
+					return {
+						...updatedSubtask,
+						metadata: {
+							...(originalSubtask?.metadata || {}),
+							...(updatedSubtask.metadata || {})
+						}
+					};
+				}
+				return updatedSubtask;
+			});
+		}
+
 		tasks[taskIndex] = {
-			...tasks[taskIndex],
+			...existingTask,
 			...updates,
+			...(mergedSubtasks && { subtasks: mergedSubtasks }),
 			id: String(taskId) // Keep consistent with normalizeTaskIds
 		};
 		await this.saveTasks(tasks, tag);
--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/tasks/entities/task.entity.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/tasks/entities/task.entity.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,345 @@
+/**
+ * @fileoverview Unit tests for TaskEntity metadata handling
+ *
+ * Tests the preservation of user-defined metadata through all TaskEntity operations
+ * including construction, serialization, and deserialization.
+ */
+
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import { TaskEntity } from './task.entity.js';
+import type { Task } from '../../../common/types/index.js';
+
+/**
+ * Creates a minimal valid task for testing
+ */
+function createMinimalTask(overrides: Partial<Task> = {}): Task {
+	return {
+		id: '1',
+		title: 'Test Task',
+		description: 'Test description',
+		status: 'pending',
+		priority: 'medium',
+		dependencies: [],
+		details: 'Task details',
+		testStrategy: 'Test strategy',
+		subtasks: [],
+		...overrides
+	};
+}
+
+describe('TaskEntity', () => {
+	describe('metadata property', () => {
+		it('should preserve metadata through constructor', () => {
+			const metadata = { uuid: '123', custom: 'value' };
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata });
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should handle undefined metadata', () => {
+			const task = createMinimalTask();
+			// Explicitly not setting metadata
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+
+		it('should handle empty metadata object', () => {
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata: {} });
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toEqual({});
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata with string values', () => {
+			const metadata = { externalId: 'EXT-123', source: 'jira' };
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata });
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata with number values', () => {
+			const metadata = { priority: 5, score: 100 };
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata });
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata with boolean values', () => {
+			const metadata = { isBlocking: true, reviewed: false };
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata });
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata with nested objects', () => {
+			const metadata = {
+				jira: {
+					key: 'PROJ-123',
+					sprint: {
+						id: 5,
+						name: 'Sprint 5'
+					}
+				}
+			};
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata });
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata with arrays', () => {
+			const metadata = {
+				labels: ['bug', 'high-priority'],
+				relatedIds: [1, 2, 3]
+			};
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata });
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata with null values', () => {
+			const metadata = { deletedAt: null, archivedBy: null };
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata });
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve complex mixed metadata', () => {
+			const metadata = {
+				externalId: 'EXT-456',
+				score: 85,
+				isUrgent: true,
+				tags: ['frontend', 'refactor'],
+				integration: {
+					source: 'github',
+					issueNumber: 123,
+					labels: ['enhancement']
+				},
+				timestamps: {
+					importedAt: '2024-01-15T10:00:00Z',
+					lastSynced: null
+				}
+			};
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata });
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('toJSON() with metadata', () => {
+		it('should include metadata in toJSON output', () => {
+			const metadata = { uuid: '123', custom: 'value' };
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata });
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			const json = entity.toJSON();
+
+			expect(json.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should include undefined metadata in toJSON output', () => {
+			const task = createMinimalTask();
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			const json = entity.toJSON();
+
+			expect(json.metadata).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+
+		it('should include empty metadata object in toJSON output', () => {
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata: {} });
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			const json = entity.toJSON();
+
+			expect(json.metadata).toEqual({});
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve nested metadata through toJSON', () => {
+			const metadata = {
+				integration: {
+					source: 'linear',
+					config: {
+						apiKey: 'redacted',
+						projectId: 'proj_123'
+					}
+				}
+			};
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata });
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+
+			const json = entity.toJSON();
+
+			expect(json.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('round-trip preservation', () => {
+		it('should preserve metadata through full round-trip', () => {
+			const originalMetadata = {
+				uuid: '550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000',
+				externalSystem: 'jira',
+				customField: { nested: 'value' }
+			};
+			const originalTask = createMinimalTask({ metadata: originalMetadata });
+
+			// Task -> TaskEntity -> toJSON() -> TaskEntity -> toJSON()
+			const entity1 = new TaskEntity(originalTask);
+			const json1 = entity1.toJSON();
+			const entity2 = new TaskEntity(json1);
+			const json2 = entity2.toJSON();
+
+			expect(json2.metadata).toEqual(originalMetadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve all task fields alongside metadata', () => {
+			const metadata = { custom: 'data' };
+			const task = createMinimalTask({
+				id: '42',
+				title: 'Important Task',
+				description: 'Do the thing',
+				status: 'in-progress',
+				priority: 'high',
+				dependencies: ['1', '2'],
+				details: 'Detailed info',
+				testStrategy: 'Unit tests',
+				tags: ['urgent'],
+				metadata
+			});
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(task);
+			const json = entity.toJSON();
+
+			expect(json.id).toBe('42');
+			expect(json.title).toBe('Important Task');
+			expect(json.description).toBe('Do the thing');
+			expect(json.status).toBe('in-progress');
+			expect(json.priority).toBe('high');
+			expect(json.dependencies).toEqual(['1', '2']);
+			expect(json.details).toBe('Detailed info');
+			expect(json.testStrategy).toBe('Unit tests');
+			expect(json.tags).toEqual(['urgent']);
+			expect(json.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('fromObject() with metadata', () => {
+		it('should preserve metadata through fromObject', () => {
+			const metadata = { externalId: 'EXT-789' };
+			const task = createMinimalTask({ metadata });
+
+			const entity = TaskEntity.fromObject(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should handle undefined metadata in fromObject', () => {
+			const task = createMinimalTask();
+
+			const entity = TaskEntity.fromObject(task);
+
+			expect(entity.metadata).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('fromArray() with metadata', () => {
+		it('should preserve metadata on all tasks through fromArray', () => {
+			const task1 = createMinimalTask({
+				id: '1',
+				metadata: { source: 'import1' }
+			});
+			const task2 = createMinimalTask({
+				id: '2',
+				metadata: { source: 'import2' }
+			});
+			const task3 = createMinimalTask({ id: '3' }); // No metadata
+
+			const entities = TaskEntity.fromArray([task1, task2, task3]);
+
+			expect(entities).toHaveLength(3);
+			expect(entities[0].metadata).toEqual({ source: 'import1' });
+			expect(entities[1].metadata).toEqual({ source: 'import2' });
+			expect(entities[2].metadata).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve different metadata structures across tasks', () => {
+			const tasks = [
+				createMinimalTask({ id: '1', metadata: { simple: 'value' } }),
+				createMinimalTask({
+					id: '2',
+					metadata: { nested: { deep: { value: 123 } } }
+				}),
+				createMinimalTask({ id: '3', metadata: { array: [1, 2, 3] } }),
+				createMinimalTask({ id: '4', metadata: {} })
+			];
+
+			const entities = TaskEntity.fromArray(tasks);
+			const jsons = entities.map((e) => e.toJSON());
+
+			expect(jsons[0].metadata).toEqual({ simple: 'value' });
+			expect(jsons[1].metadata).toEqual({ nested: { deep: { value: 123 } } });
+			expect(jsons[2].metadata).toEqual({ array: [1, 2, 3] });
+			expect(jsons[3].metadata).toEqual({});
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('no corruption of other fields', () => {
+		it('should not affect other task fields when metadata is present', () => {
+			const taskWithMetadata = createMinimalTask({
+				id: '99',
+				title: 'Original Title',
+				metadata: { someKey: 'someValue' }
+			});
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(taskWithMetadata);
+
+			expect(entity.id).toBe('99');
+			expect(entity.title).toBe('Original Title');
+			expect(entity.status).toBe('pending');
+			expect(entity.priority).toBe('medium');
+		});
+
+		it('should not affect subtasks when metadata is present', () => {
+			const taskWithSubtasks = createMinimalTask({
+				metadata: { tracked: true },
+				subtasks: [
+					{
+						id: 1,
+						parentId: '1',
+						title: 'Subtask 1',
+						description: 'Subtask desc',
+						status: 'pending',
+						priority: 'low',
+						dependencies: [],
+						details: '',
+						testStrategy: ''
+					}
+				]
+			});
+
+			const entity = new TaskEntity(taskWithSubtasks);
+
+			expect(entity.subtasks).toHaveLength(1);
+			expect(entity.subtasks[0].title).toBe('Subtask 1');
+			expect(entity.metadata).toEqual({ tracked: true });
+		});
+	});
+});
--- a/packages/tm-core/src/modules/tasks/entities/task.entity.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/src/modules/tasks/entities/task.entity.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ export class TaskEntity implements Task {
 	recommendedSubtasks?: number;
 	expansionPrompt?: string;
 	complexityReasoning?: string;
+	metadata?: Record<string, unknown>;

 	constructor(data: Task | (Omit<Task, 'id'> & { id: number | string })) {
 		this.validate(data);
@@ -68,6 +69,7 @@ export class TaskEntity implements Task {
 		this.recommendedSubtasks = data.recommendedSubtasks;
 		this.expansionPrompt = data.expansionPrompt;
 		this.complexityReasoning = data.complexityReasoning;
+		this.metadata = data.metadata;
 	}

 	/**
@@ -255,7 +257,8 @@ export class TaskEntity implements Task {
 			complexity: this.complexity,
 			recommendedSubtasks: this.recommendedSubtasks,
 			expansionPrompt: this.expansionPrompt,
-			complexityReasoning: this.complexityReasoning
+			complexityReasoning: this.complexityReasoning,
+			metadata: this.metadata
 		};
 	}

--- a/packages/tm-core/tests/integration/ai-operations/metadata-preservation.test.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/tests/integration/ai-operations/metadata-preservation.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,481 @@
+/**
+ * @fileoverview Integration tests for metadata preservation across AI operations
+ *
+ * Tests that user-defined metadata survives all AI operations including:
+ * - update-task: AI updates task fields but doesn't include metadata in response
+ * - expand-task: AI generates subtasks but parent task metadata is preserved
+ * - parse-prd: AI generates new tasks without metadata field
+ *
+ * Key insight: AI schemas (base-schemas.js) intentionally EXCLUDE the metadata field.
+ * This means AI responses never include metadata, and the spread operator in
+ * storage/service layers preserves existing metadata during updates.
+ *
+ * These tests simulate what happens when AI operations update tasks - the AI
+ * returns a task object without a metadata field, and we verify that the
+ * existing metadata is preserved through the storage layer.
+ */
+
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import * as fs from 'fs';
+import * as path from 'path';
+import * as os from 'os';
+import { FileStorage } from '../../../src/modules/storage/adapters/file-storage/file-storage.js';
+import type { Task, Subtask } from '../../../src/common/types/index.js';
+
+/**
+ * Creates a minimal valid task for testing
+ */
+function createTask(id: string, overrides: Partial<Task> = {}): Task {
+	return {
+		id,
+		title: `Task ${id}`,
+		description: `Description for task ${id}`,
+		status: 'pending',
+		priority: 'medium',
+		dependencies: [],
+		details: '',
+		testStrategy: '',
+		subtasks: [],
+		...overrides
+	};
+}
+
+/**
+ * Creates a realistic metadata object like external integrations would produce
+ */
+function createRealisticMetadata(): Record<string, unknown> {
+	return {
+		uuid: '550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000',
+		githubIssue: 42,
+		sprint: 'Q1-S3',
+		jira: {
+			key: 'PROJ-123',
+			type: 'story',
+			epic: 'EPIC-45'
+		},
+		importedAt: '2024-01-15T10:30:00Z',
+		source: 'github-sync',
+		labels: ['frontend', 'refactor', 'high-priority']
+	};
+}
+
+describe('AI Operation Metadata Preservation - Integration Tests', () => {
+	let tempDir: string;
+	let storage: FileStorage;
+
+	beforeEach(() => {
+		// Create a temp directory for each test
+		tempDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'taskmaster-ai-test-'));
+		// Create .taskmaster/tasks directory structure
+		const taskmasterDir = path.join(tempDir, '.taskmaster', 'tasks');
+		fs.mkdirSync(taskmasterDir, { recursive: true });
+		storage = new FileStorage(tempDir);
+	});
+
+	afterEach(() => {
+		// Clean up temp directory
+		fs.rmSync(tempDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+	});
+
+	describe('update-task operation simulation', () => {
+		it('should preserve metadata when AI returns task without metadata field', async () => {
+			// Setup: Task with user metadata
+			const originalMetadata = createRealisticMetadata();
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					title: 'Original Title',
+					description: 'Original description',
+					metadata: originalMetadata
+				})
+			];
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// Simulate AI response: AI updates title/description but doesn't include metadata
+			// This is the exact pattern from update-task-by-id.js
+			const aiGeneratedUpdate: Partial<Task> = {
+				title: 'AI Updated Title',
+				description: 'AI refined description with more detail',
+				details: 'AI generated implementation details',
+				testStrategy: 'AI suggested test approach'
+				// Note: NO metadata field - AI schemas don't include it
+			};
+
+			// Apply update through FileStorage (simulating what AI operations do)
+			await storage.updateTask('1', aiGeneratedUpdate);
+
+			// Verify: AI fields updated, metadata preserved
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].title).toBe('AI Updated Title');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].description).toBe(
+				'AI refined description with more detail'
+			);
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].details).toBe(
+				'AI generated implementation details'
+			);
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].testStrategy).toBe('AI suggested test approach');
+			// Critical: metadata must be preserved
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual(originalMetadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata through multiple sequential AI updates', async () => {
+			const metadata = { externalId: 'EXT-999', version: 1 };
+			const tasks: Task[] = [createTask('1', { metadata })];
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// First AI update
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { title: 'First AI Update' });
+
+			// Second AI update
+			await storage.updateTask('1', {
+				description: 'Second AI Update adds details'
+			});
+
+			// Third AI update
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { priority: 'high' });
+
+			// Verify metadata survived all updates
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].title).toBe('First AI Update');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].description).toBe('Second AI Update adds details');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].priority).toBe('high');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual(metadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve realistic integration metadata during AI operations', async () => {
+			const realisticMetadata = createRealisticMetadata();
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					title: 'Sync from GitHub',
+					metadata: realisticMetadata
+				})
+			];
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// AI enriches the task
+			await storage.updateTask('1', {
+				title: 'Implement user authentication',
+				description: 'Set up JWT-based authentication system',
+				details: `
+## Implementation Plan
+1. Create auth middleware
+2. Implement JWT token generation
+3. Add refresh token logic
+4. Set up protected routes
+				`.trim(),
+				testStrategy:
+					'Unit tests for JWT functions, integration tests for auth flow'
+			});
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			// All AI updates applied
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].title).toBe('Implement user authentication');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].details).toContain('Implementation Plan');
+			// Realistic metadata preserved with all its nested structure
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual(realisticMetadata);
+			expect(
+				(loadedTasks[0].metadata as Record<string, unknown>).githubIssue
+			).toBe(42);
+			expect(
+				(
+					(loadedTasks[0].metadata as Record<string, unknown>).jira as Record<
+						string,
+						unknown
+					>
+				).key
+			).toBe('PROJ-123');
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('expand-task operation simulation', () => {
+		it('should preserve parent task metadata when adding AI-generated subtasks', async () => {
+			const parentMetadata = { tracked: true, source: 'import' };
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					metadata: parentMetadata,
+					subtasks: []
+				})
+			];
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// Simulate expand-task: AI generates subtasks (without metadata)
+			const aiGeneratedSubtasks: Subtask[] = [
+				{
+					id: 1,
+					parentId: '1',
+					title: 'AI Subtask 1',
+					description: 'First step generated by AI',
+					status: 'pending',
+					priority: 'medium',
+					dependencies: [],
+					details: 'Implementation details',
+					testStrategy: 'Test approach'
+					// No metadata - AI doesn't generate it
+				},
+				{
+					id: 2,
+					parentId: '1',
+					title: 'AI Subtask 2',
+					description: 'Second step generated by AI',
+					status: 'pending',
+					priority: 'medium',
+					dependencies: ['1'],
+					details: 'More details',
+					testStrategy: 'More tests'
+				}
+			];
+
+			// Apply subtasks update
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { subtasks: aiGeneratedSubtasks });
+
+			// Verify parent metadata preserved
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual(parentMetadata);
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].subtasks).toHaveLength(2);
+			// Subtasks don't inherit parent metadata
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].subtasks[0].metadata).toBeUndefined();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].subtasks[1].metadata).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve subtask metadata when parent is updated', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					metadata: { parentMeta: 'parent-value' },
+					subtasks: [
+						{
+							id: 1,
+							parentId: '1',
+							title: 'Subtask with metadata',
+							description: 'Has its own metadata',
+							status: 'pending',
+							priority: 'medium',
+							dependencies: [],
+							details: '',
+							testStrategy: '',
+							metadata: { subtaskMeta: 'subtask-value' }
+						}
+					]
+				})
+			];
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// AI updates parent task (not subtasks)
+			await storage.updateTask('1', {
+				title: 'Parent Updated by AI',
+				description: 'New description'
+			});
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			// Parent metadata preserved
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({ parentMeta: 'parent-value' });
+			// Subtask and its metadata preserved
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].subtasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				subtaskMeta: 'subtask-value'
+			});
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('parse-prd operation simulation', () => {
+		it('should generate tasks without metadata field (as AI would)', async () => {
+			// Simulate parse-prd output: AI generates tasks without metadata
+			const aiGeneratedTasks: Task[] = [
+				{
+					id: '1',
+					title: 'Set up project structure',
+					description: 'Initialize the project with proper folder structure',
+					status: 'pending',
+					priority: 'high',
+					dependencies: [],
+					details: 'Create src/, tests/, docs/ directories',
+					testStrategy: 'Verify directories exist',
+					subtasks: []
+					// No metadata - AI doesn't generate it
+				},
+				{
+					id: '2',
+					title: 'Implement core functionality',
+					description: 'Build the main features',
+					status: 'pending',
+					priority: 'high',
+					dependencies: ['1'],
+					details: 'Implement main modules',
+					testStrategy: 'Unit tests for each module',
+					subtasks: []
+				}
+			];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(aiGeneratedTasks);
+
+			// Verify tasks saved correctly without metadata
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks).toHaveLength(2);
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toBeUndefined();
+			expect(loadedTasks[1].metadata).toBeUndefined();
+			// Later, user can add metadata
+			await storage.updateTask('1', {
+				metadata: { externalId: 'USER-ADDED-123' }
+			});
+			const updatedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(updatedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				externalId: 'USER-ADDED-123'
+			});
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('update-subtask operation simulation', () => {
+		it('should preserve subtask metadata when appending info', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					subtasks: [
+						{
+							id: 1,
+							parentId: '1',
+							title: 'Tracked subtask',
+							description: 'Has metadata from import',
+							status: 'pending',
+							priority: 'medium',
+							dependencies: [],
+							details: 'Initial details',
+							testStrategy: '',
+							metadata: { importedFrom: 'jira', ticketId: 'JIRA-456' }
+						}
+					]
+				})
+			];
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// Update subtask details (like update-subtask command does)
+			const updatedSubtask: Subtask = {
+				id: 1,
+				parentId: '1',
+				title: 'Tracked subtask',
+				description: 'Has metadata from import',
+				status: 'in-progress',
+				priority: 'medium',
+				dependencies: [],
+				details:
+					'Initial details\n\n<info added on 2024-01-20T10:00:00Z>\nImplementation notes from AI\n</info added on 2024-01-20T10:00:00Z>',
+				testStrategy: 'AI suggested tests',
+				metadata: { importedFrom: 'jira', ticketId: 'JIRA-456' }
+			};
+
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { subtasks: [updatedSubtask] });
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].subtasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				importedFrom: 'jira',
+				ticketId: 'JIRA-456'
+			});
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].subtasks[0].details).toContain(
+				'Implementation notes from AI'
+			);
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('mixed AI and storage metadata coexistence', () => {
+		it('should preserve user metadata alongside AI-generated task fields', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					// AI-generated fields
+					relevantFiles: [
+						{
+							path: 'src/auth.ts',
+							description: 'Auth module',
+							action: 'modify'
+						}
+					],
+					category: 'development',
+					skills: ['TypeScript', 'Security'],
+					acceptanceCriteria: ['Tests pass', 'Code reviewed'],
+					// User-defined metadata (from import)
+					metadata: {
+						externalId: 'JIRA-789',
+						storyPoints: 5,
+						sprint: 'Sprint 10'
+					}
+				})
+			];
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// AI updates the task (doesn't touch metadata)
+			await storage.updateTask('1', {
+				relevantFiles: [
+					{ path: 'src/auth.ts', description: 'Auth module', action: 'modify' },
+					{
+						path: 'src/middleware.ts',
+						description: 'Added middleware',
+						action: 'create'
+					}
+				],
+				skills: ['TypeScript', 'Security', 'JWT']
+			});
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			// AI fields updated
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].relevantFiles).toHaveLength(2);
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].skills).toContain('JWT');
+			// User metadata preserved
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				externalId: 'JIRA-789',
+				storyPoints: 5,
+				sprint: 'Sprint 10'
+			});
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('edge cases for AI operations', () => {
+		it('should handle task with only metadata being updated by AI', async () => {
+			// Task has ONLY metadata set (sparse task)
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					metadata: { sparse: true, tracking: 'minimal' }
+				})
+			];
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// AI fills in all the other fields
+			await storage.updateTask('1', {
+				title: 'AI Generated Title',
+				description: 'AI Generated Description',
+				details: 'AI Generated Details',
+				testStrategy: 'AI Generated Test Strategy',
+				priority: 'high'
+			});
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].title).toBe('AI Generated Title');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].priority).toBe('high');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				sparse: true,
+				tracking: 'minimal'
+			});
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve deeply nested metadata through AI operations', async () => {
+			const deepMetadata = {
+				integration: {
+					source: {
+						type: 'github',
+						repo: {
+							owner: 'org',
+							name: 'repo',
+							issue: {
+								number: 123,
+								labels: ['bug', 'priority-1']
+							}
+						}
+					}
+				}
+			};
+			const tasks: Task[] = [createTask('1', { metadata: deepMetadata })];
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// Multiple AI operations
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { title: 'Update 1' });
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { description: 'Update 2' });
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { status: 'in-progress' });
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual(deepMetadata);
+		});
+	});
+});
--- a/packages/tm-core/tests/integration/mcp-tools/metadata-updates.test.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/tests/integration/mcp-tools/metadata-updates.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,540 @@
+/**
+ * @fileoverview Integration tests for MCP tool metadata updates
+ *
+ * Tests that metadata updates via update-task and update-subtask MCP tools
+ * work correctly with the TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES flag.
+ *
+ * These tests validate the metadata flow from MCP tool layer through
+ * direct functions to the legacy scripts and storage layer.
+ *
+ * NOTE: These tests focus on validation logic (JSON parsing, env flags, merge behavior)
+ * rather than full end-to-end MCP tool calls. End-to-end behavior is covered by:
+ * - FileStorage metadata tests (storage layer)
+ * - AI operation metadata preservation tests (full workflow)
+ * - Direct function integration (covered by the validation tests here)
+ */
+
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import * as fs from 'fs';
+import * as path from 'path';
+import * as os from 'os';
+import { validateMcpMetadata } from '@tm/mcp';
+
+describe('MCP Tool Metadata Updates - Integration Tests', () => {
+	let tempDir: string;
+	let tasksJsonPath: string;
+
+	beforeEach(() => {
+		// Create a temp directory for each test
+		tempDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'taskmaster-mcp-test-'));
+		// Create .taskmaster/tasks directory structure
+		const taskmasterDir = path.join(tempDir, '.taskmaster', 'tasks');
+		fs.mkdirSync(taskmasterDir, { recursive: true });
+		tasksJsonPath = path.join(taskmasterDir, 'tasks.json');
+	});
+
+	afterEach(() => {
+		// Clean up temp directory
+		fs.rmSync(tempDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+		// Reset env vars
+		delete process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES;
+	});
+
+	describe('metadata JSON validation', () => {
+		it('should validate metadata is a valid JSON object', () => {
+			// Test valid JSON objects
+			const validMetadata = [
+				'{"key": "value"}',
+				'{"githubIssue": 42, "sprint": "Q1"}',
+				'{"nested": {"deep": true}}'
+			];
+
+			for (const meta of validMetadata) {
+				const parsed = JSON.parse(meta);
+				expect(typeof parsed).toBe('object');
+				expect(parsed).not.toBeNull();
+				expect(Array.isArray(parsed)).toBe(false);
+			}
+		});
+
+		it('should reject invalid metadata formats', () => {
+			const invalidMetadata = [
+				'"string"', // Just a string
+				'123', // Just a number
+				'true', // Just a boolean
+				'null', // Null
+				'[1, 2, 3]' // Array
+			];
+
+			for (const meta of invalidMetadata) {
+				const parsed = JSON.parse(meta);
+				const isValidObject =
+					typeof parsed === 'object' &&
+					parsed !== null &&
+					!Array.isArray(parsed);
+				expect(isValidObject).toBe(false);
+			}
+		});
+
+		it('should reject invalid JSON strings', () => {
+			const invalidJson = [
+				'{key: "value"}', // Missing quotes
+				"{'key': 'value'}", // Single quotes
+				'{"key": }' // Incomplete
+			];
+
+			for (const json of invalidJson) {
+				expect(() => JSON.parse(json)).toThrow();
+			}
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES flag', () => {
+		it('should block metadata updates when flag is not set', () => {
+			delete process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES;
+			const allowMetadataUpdates =
+				process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES === 'true';
+			expect(allowMetadataUpdates).toBe(false);
+		});
+
+		it('should block metadata updates when flag is set to false', () => {
+			process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES = 'false';
+			const allowMetadataUpdates =
+				process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES === 'true';
+			expect(allowMetadataUpdates).toBe(false);
+		});
+
+		it('should allow metadata updates when flag is set to true', () => {
+			process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES = 'true';
+			const allowMetadataUpdates =
+				process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES === 'true';
+			expect(allowMetadataUpdates).toBe(true);
+		});
+
+		it('should be case-sensitive (TRUE should not work)', () => {
+			process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES = 'TRUE';
+			const allowMetadataUpdates =
+				process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES === 'true';
+			expect(allowMetadataUpdates).toBe(false);
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('metadata merge logic', () => {
+		it('should merge new metadata with existing metadata', () => {
+			const existingMetadata = { githubIssue: 42, sprint: 'Q1' };
+			const newMetadata = { storyPoints: 5, reviewed: true };
+
+			const merged = {
+				...(existingMetadata || {}),
+				...(newMetadata || {})
+			};
+
+			expect(merged).toEqual({
+				githubIssue: 42,
+				sprint: 'Q1',
+				storyPoints: 5,
+				reviewed: true
+			});
+		});
+
+		it('should override existing keys with new values', () => {
+			const existingMetadata = { githubIssue: 42, sprint: 'Q1' };
+			const newMetadata = { sprint: 'Q2' }; // Override sprint
+
+			const merged = {
+				...(existingMetadata || {}),
+				...(newMetadata || {})
+			};
+
+			expect(merged).toEqual({
+				githubIssue: 42,
+				sprint: 'Q2' // Overridden
+			});
+		});
+
+		it('should handle empty existing metadata', () => {
+			const existingMetadata = undefined;
+			const newMetadata = { key: 'value' };
+
+			const merged = {
+				...(existingMetadata || {}),
+				...(newMetadata || {})
+			};
+
+			expect(merged).toEqual({ key: 'value' });
+		});
+
+		it('should handle empty new metadata', () => {
+			const existingMetadata = { key: 'value' };
+			const newMetadata = undefined;
+
+			const merged = {
+				...(existingMetadata || {}),
+				...(newMetadata || {})
+			};
+
+			expect(merged).toEqual({ key: 'value' });
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve nested objects in metadata', () => {
+			const existingMetadata = {
+				jira: { key: 'PROJ-123' },
+				other: 'data'
+			};
+			const newMetadata = {
+				jira: { key: 'PROJ-456', type: 'bug' } // Replace entire jira object
+			};
+
+			const merged = {
+				...(existingMetadata || {}),
+				...(newMetadata || {})
+			};
+
+			expect(merged).toEqual({
+				jira: { key: 'PROJ-456', type: 'bug' }, // Entire jira object replaced
+				other: 'data'
+			});
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('metadata-only update detection', () => {
+		it('should detect metadata-only update when prompt is empty', () => {
+			const prompt: string = '';
+			const metadata = { key: 'value' };
+
+			const isMetadataOnly = metadata && (!prompt || prompt.trim() === '');
+			expect(isMetadataOnly).toBe(true);
+		});
+
+		it('should detect metadata-only update when prompt is whitespace', () => {
+			const prompt: string = '   ';
+			const metadata = { key: 'value' };
+
+			const isMetadataOnly = metadata && (!prompt || prompt.trim() === '');
+			expect(isMetadataOnly).toBe(true);
+		});
+
+		it('should not be metadata-only when prompt is provided', () => {
+			const prompt: string = 'Update task details';
+			const metadata = { key: 'value' };
+
+			const isMetadataOnly = metadata && (!prompt || prompt.trim() === '');
+			expect(isMetadataOnly).toBe(false);
+		});
+
+		it('should not be metadata-only when neither is provided', () => {
+			const prompt: string = '';
+			const metadata = null;
+
+			const isMetadataOnly = metadata && (!prompt || prompt.trim() === '');
+			expect(isMetadataOnly).toBeFalsy(); // metadata is null, so falsy
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('tasks.json file format with metadata', () => {
+		it('should write and read metadata correctly in tasks.json', () => {
+			const tasksData = {
+				tasks: [
+					{
+						id: 1,
+						title: 'Test Task',
+						description: 'Description',
+						status: 'pending',
+						priority: 'medium',
+						dependencies: [],
+						details: '',
+						testStrategy: '',
+						subtasks: [],
+						metadata: {
+							githubIssue: 42,
+							sprint: 'Q1-S3',
+							storyPoints: 5
+						}
+					}
+				],
+				metadata: {
+					version: '1.0.0',
+					lastModified: new Date().toISOString(),
+					taskCount: 1,
+					completedCount: 0
+				}
+			};
+
+			// Write
+			fs.writeFileSync(tasksJsonPath, JSON.stringify(tasksData, null, 2));
+
+			// Read and verify
+			const rawContent = fs.readFileSync(tasksJsonPath, 'utf-8');
+			const parsed = JSON.parse(rawContent);
+
+			expect(parsed.tasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				githubIssue: 42,
+				sprint: 'Q1-S3',
+				storyPoints: 5
+			});
+		});
+
+		it('should write and read subtask metadata correctly', () => {
+			const tasksData = {
+				tasks: [
+					{
+						id: 1,
+						title: 'Parent Task',
+						description: 'Description',
+						status: 'pending',
+						priority: 'medium',
+						dependencies: [],
+						details: '',
+						testStrategy: '',
+						subtasks: [
+							{
+								id: 1,
+								parentId: 1,
+								title: 'Subtask',
+								description: 'Subtask description',
+								status: 'pending',
+								priority: 'medium',
+								dependencies: [],
+								details: '',
+								testStrategy: '',
+								metadata: {
+									linkedTicket: 'JIRA-456',
+									reviewed: true
+								}
+							}
+						]
+					}
+				],
+				metadata: {
+					version: '1.0.0',
+					lastModified: new Date().toISOString(),
+					taskCount: 1,
+					completedCount: 0
+				}
+			};
+
+			// Write
+			fs.writeFileSync(tasksJsonPath, JSON.stringify(tasksData, null, 2));
+
+			// Read and verify
+			const rawContent = fs.readFileSync(tasksJsonPath, 'utf-8');
+			const parsed = JSON.parse(rawContent);
+
+			expect(parsed.tasks[0].subtasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				linkedTicket: 'JIRA-456',
+				reviewed: true
+			});
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('error message formatting', () => {
+		it('should provide clear error for disabled metadata updates', () => {
+			const errorMessage =
+				'Metadata updates are disabled. Set TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES=true in your MCP server environment to enable metadata modifications.';
+
+			expect(errorMessage).toContain('TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES');
+			expect(errorMessage).toContain('true');
+			expect(errorMessage).toContain('MCP server environment');
+		});
+
+		it('should provide clear error for invalid JSON', () => {
+			const invalidJson = '{key: value}';
+			const errorMessage = `Invalid metadata JSON: ${invalidJson}. Provide a valid JSON object string.`;
+
+			expect(errorMessage).toContain(invalidJson);
+			expect(errorMessage).toContain('valid JSON object');
+		});
+
+		it('should provide clear error for non-object JSON', () => {
+			const errorMessage =
+				'Invalid metadata: must be a JSON object (not null or array)';
+
+			expect(errorMessage).toContain('JSON object');
+			expect(errorMessage).toContain('not null or array');
+		});
+	});
+});
+
+/**
+ * Unit tests for the actual validateMcpMetadata function from @tm/mcp
+ * These tests verify the security gate behavior for MCP metadata updates.
+ */
+describe('validateMcpMetadata function', () => {
+	// Mock error response creator that matches the MCP ContentResult format
+	const mockCreateErrorResponse = (message: string) => ({
+		content: [{ type: 'text' as const, text: `Error: ${message}` }],
+		isError: true
+	});
+
+	// Helper to safely extract text from content
+	const getErrorText = (
+		error: { content: Array<{ type: string; text?: string }> } | undefined
+	): string => {
+		if (!error?.content?.[0]) return '';
+		const content = error.content[0];
+		return 'text' in content ? (content.text ?? '') : '';
+	};
+
+	afterEach(() => {
+		delete process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES;
+	});
+
+	describe('when metadataString is null/undefined', () => {
+		it('should return null parsedMetadata for undefined input', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata(undefined, mockCreateErrorResponse);
+			expect(result.parsedMetadata).toBeNull();
+			expect(result.error).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+
+		it('should return null parsedMetadata for null input', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata(null, mockCreateErrorResponse);
+			expect(result.parsedMetadata).toBeNull();
+			expect(result.error).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+
+		it('should return null parsedMetadata for empty string', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata('', mockCreateErrorResponse);
+			expect(result.parsedMetadata).toBeNull();
+			expect(result.error).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('when TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES is not set', () => {
+		beforeEach(() => {
+			delete process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES;
+		});
+
+		it('should return error when flag is not set', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata(
+				'{"key": "value"}',
+				mockCreateErrorResponse
+			);
+			expect(result.error).toBeDefined();
+			expect(result.error?.isError).toBe(true);
+			expect(getErrorText(result.error)).toContain(
+				'TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES'
+			);
+		});
+
+		it('should return error when flag is set to "false"', () => {
+			process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES = 'false';
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata(
+				'{"key": "value"}',
+				mockCreateErrorResponse
+			);
+			expect(result.error).toBeDefined();
+			expect(result.error?.isError).toBe(true);
+		});
+
+		it('should return error when flag is "TRUE" (case sensitive)', () => {
+			process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES = 'TRUE';
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata(
+				'{"key": "value"}',
+				mockCreateErrorResponse
+			);
+			expect(result.error).toBeDefined();
+			expect(result.error?.isError).toBe(true);
+		});
+
+		it('should return error when flag is "True" (case sensitive)', () => {
+			process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES = 'True';
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata(
+				'{"key": "value"}',
+				mockCreateErrorResponse
+			);
+			expect(result.error).toBeDefined();
+			expect(result.error?.isError).toBe(true);
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('when TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES is "true"', () => {
+		beforeEach(() => {
+			process.env.TASK_MASTER_ALLOW_METADATA_UPDATES = 'true';
+		});
+
+		it('should return parsed metadata for valid JSON object', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata(
+				'{"key": "value"}',
+				mockCreateErrorResponse
+			);
+			expect(result.parsedMetadata).toEqual({ key: 'value' });
+			expect(result.error).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+
+		it('should return parsed metadata for complex nested object', () => {
+			const complexMeta = {
+				githubIssue: 42,
+				sprint: 'Q1-S3',
+				nested: { deep: { value: true } },
+				array: [1, 2, 3]
+			};
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata(
+				JSON.stringify(complexMeta),
+				mockCreateErrorResponse
+			);
+			expect(result.parsedMetadata).toEqual(complexMeta);
+			expect(result.error).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+
+		it('should return parsed metadata for empty object', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata('{}', mockCreateErrorResponse);
+			expect(result.parsedMetadata).toEqual({});
+			expect(result.error).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+
+		it('should return error for invalid JSON string', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata(
+				'{key: "value"}',
+				mockCreateErrorResponse
+			);
+			expect(result.error).toBeDefined();
+			expect(result.error?.isError).toBe(true);
+			expect(getErrorText(result.error)).toContain('Invalid metadata JSON');
+		});
+
+		it('should return error for JSON array', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata('[1, 2, 3]', mockCreateErrorResponse);
+			expect(result.error).toBeDefined();
+			expect(result.error?.isError).toBe(true);
+			expect(getErrorText(result.error)).toContain(
+				'must be a JSON object (not null or array)'
+			);
+		});
+
+		it('should return error for JSON null', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata('null', mockCreateErrorResponse);
+			expect(result.error).toBeDefined();
+			expect(result.error?.isError).toBe(true);
+			expect(getErrorText(result.error)).toContain(
+				'must be a JSON object (not null or array)'
+			);
+		});
+
+		it('should return error for JSON string primitive', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata('"string"', mockCreateErrorResponse);
+			expect(result.error).toBeDefined();
+			expect(result.error?.isError).toBe(true);
+			expect(getErrorText(result.error)).toContain(
+				'must be a JSON object (not null or array)'
+			);
+		});
+
+		it('should return error for JSON number primitive', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata('123', mockCreateErrorResponse);
+			expect(result.error).toBeDefined();
+			expect(result.error?.isError).toBe(true);
+			expect(getErrorText(result.error)).toContain(
+				'must be a JSON object (not null or array)'
+			);
+		});
+
+		it('should return error for JSON boolean primitive', () => {
+			const result = validateMcpMetadata('true', mockCreateErrorResponse);
+			expect(result.error).toBeDefined();
+			expect(result.error?.isError).toBe(true);
+			expect(getErrorText(result.error)).toContain(
+				'must be a JSON object (not null or array)'
+			);
+		});
+	});
+});
--- a/packages/tm-core/tests/integration/storage/file-storage-metadata.test.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/tests/integration/storage/file-storage-metadata.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,472 @@
+/**
+ * @fileoverview Integration tests for FileStorage metadata preservation
+ *
+ * Tests that user-defined metadata survives all FileStorage CRUD operations
+ * including load, save, update, and append.
+ */
+
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+import * as fs from 'fs';
+import * as path from 'path';
+import * as os from 'os';
+import { FileStorage } from '../../../src/modules/storage/adapters/file-storage/file-storage.js';
+import type { Task } from '../../../src/common/types/index.js';
+
+/**
+ * Creates a minimal valid task for testing
+ */
+function createTask(id: string, overrides: Partial<Task> = {}): Task {
+	return {
+		id,
+		title: `Task ${id}`,
+		description: `Description for task ${id}`,
+		status: 'pending',
+		priority: 'medium',
+		dependencies: [],
+		details: '',
+		testStrategy: '',
+		subtasks: [],
+		...overrides
+	};
+}
+
+describe('FileStorage Metadata Preservation - Integration Tests', () => {
+	let tempDir: string;
+	let storage: FileStorage;
+
+	beforeEach(() => {
+		// Create a temp directory for each test
+		tempDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'taskmaster-test-'));
+		// Create .taskmaster/tasks directory structure
+		const taskmasterDir = path.join(tempDir, '.taskmaster', 'tasks');
+		fs.mkdirSync(taskmasterDir, { recursive: true });
+		storage = new FileStorage(tempDir);
+	});
+
+	afterEach(() => {
+		// Clean up temp directory
+		fs.rmSync(tempDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+	});
+
+	describe('saveTasks() and loadTasks() round-trip', () => {
+		it('should preserve metadata through save and load cycle', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					metadata: {
+						externalId: 'JIRA-123',
+						source: 'import',
+						customField: { nested: 'value' }
+					}
+				}),
+				createTask('2', {
+					metadata: {
+						score: 85,
+						isUrgent: true
+					}
+				})
+			];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+
+			expect(loadedTasks).toHaveLength(2);
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				externalId: 'JIRA-123',
+				source: 'import',
+				customField: { nested: 'value' }
+			});
+			expect(loadedTasks[1].metadata).toEqual({
+				score: 85,
+				isUrgent: true
+			});
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve empty metadata object', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [createTask('1', { metadata: {} })];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({});
+		});
+
+		it('should handle tasks without metadata', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [createTask('1')]; // No metadata
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve complex metadata with various types', async () => {
+			const complexMetadata = {
+				string: 'value',
+				number: 42,
+				float: 3.14,
+				boolean: true,
+				nullValue: null,
+				array: [1, 'two', { three: 3 }],
+				nested: {
+					deep: {
+						deeper: {
+							value: 'found'
+						}
+					}
+				}
+			};
+
+			const tasks: Task[] = [createTask('1', { metadata: complexMetadata })];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual(complexMetadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata on subtasks', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					metadata: { parentMeta: 'value' },
+					subtasks: [
+						{
+							id: 1,
+							parentId: '1',
+							title: 'Subtask 1',
+							description: 'Description',
+							status: 'pending',
+							priority: 'medium',
+							dependencies: [],
+							details: '',
+							testStrategy: '',
+							metadata: { subtaskMeta: 'subtask-value' }
+						}
+					]
+				})
+			];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({ parentMeta: 'value' });
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].subtasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				subtaskMeta: 'subtask-value'
+			});
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('updateTask() metadata preservation', () => {
+		it('should preserve existing metadata when updating other fields', async () => {
+			const originalMetadata = { externalId: 'EXT-123', version: 1 };
+			const tasks: Task[] = [createTask('1', { metadata: originalMetadata })];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// Update title only, not metadata
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { title: 'Updated Title' });
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].title).toBe('Updated Title');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual(originalMetadata);
+		});
+
+		it('should allow updating metadata field directly', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [createTask('1', { metadata: { original: true } })];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// Update metadata
+			await storage.updateTask('1', {
+				metadata: { original: true, updated: true, newField: 'value' }
+			});
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				original: true,
+				updated: true,
+				newField: 'value'
+			});
+		});
+
+		it('should allow replacing metadata entirely', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', { metadata: { oldField: 'old' } })
+			];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// Replace metadata entirely
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { metadata: { newField: 'new' } });
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({ newField: 'new' });
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata when updating status', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [createTask('1', { metadata: { tracked: true } })];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { status: 'in-progress' });
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].status).toBe('in-progress');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({ tracked: true });
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('appendTasks() metadata preservation', () => {
+		it('should preserve metadata on existing tasks when appending', async () => {
+			const existingTasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', { metadata: { existing: true } })
+			];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(existingTasks);
+
+			// Append new tasks
+			const newTasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('2', { metadata: { newTask: true } })
+			];
+
+			await storage.appendTasks(newTasks);
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks).toHaveLength(2);
+			expect(loadedTasks.find((t) => t.id === '1')?.metadata).toEqual({
+				existing: true
+			});
+			expect(loadedTasks.find((t) => t.id === '2')?.metadata).toEqual({
+				newTask: true
+			});
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('loadTask() single task metadata', () => {
+		it('should preserve metadata when loading single task', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', { metadata: { specific: 'metadata' } }),
+				createTask('2', { metadata: { other: 'data' } })
+			];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+			const task = await storage.loadTask('1');
+
+			expect(task).toBeDefined();
+			expect(task?.metadata).toEqual({ specific: 'metadata' });
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('metadata alongside AI implementation metadata', () => {
+		it('should preserve both user metadata and AI metadata', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					// AI implementation metadata
+					relevantFiles: [
+						{
+							path: 'src/test.ts',
+							description: 'Test file',
+							action: 'modify'
+						}
+					],
+					category: 'development',
+					skills: ['TypeScript'],
+					acceptanceCriteria: ['Tests pass'],
+					// User-defined metadata
+					metadata: {
+						externalId: 'JIRA-456',
+						importedAt: '2024-01-15T10:00:00Z'
+					}
+				})
+			];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+
+			// AI metadata preserved
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].relevantFiles).toHaveLength(1);
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].category).toBe('development');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].skills).toEqual(['TypeScript']);
+
+			// User metadata preserved
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				externalId: 'JIRA-456',
+				importedAt: '2024-01-15T10:00:00Z'
+			});
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('AI operation metadata preservation', () => {
+		it('should preserve metadata when updating task with AI-like partial update', async () => {
+			// Simulate existing task with user metadata
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					title: 'Original Title',
+					metadata: { externalId: 'JIRA-123', version: 1 }
+				})
+			];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// Simulate AI update - only updates specific fields, no metadata field
+			// This mimics what happens when AI processes update-task
+			const aiUpdate: Partial<Task> = {
+				title: 'AI Updated Title',
+				description: 'AI generated description',
+				details: 'AI generated details'
+				// Note: no metadata field - AI schemas don't include it
+			};
+
+			await storage.updateTask('1', aiUpdate);
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].title).toBe('AI Updated Title');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].description).toBe('AI generated description');
+			// User metadata must be preserved
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				externalId: 'JIRA-123',
+				version: 1
+			});
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata when adding AI-generated subtasks', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					metadata: { tracked: true, source: 'import' },
+					subtasks: []
+				})
+			];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// Simulate expand-task adding subtasks
+			// Subtasks from AI don't have metadata field
+			const updatedTask: Partial<Task> = {
+				subtasks: [
+					{
+						id: 1,
+						parentId: '1',
+						title: 'AI Generated Subtask',
+						description: 'Description',
+						status: 'pending',
+						priority: 'medium',
+						dependencies: [],
+						details: 'Details',
+						testStrategy: 'Tests'
+						// No metadata - AI doesn't generate it
+					}
+				]
+			};
+
+			await storage.updateTask('1', updatedTask);
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			// Parent task metadata preserved
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				tracked: true,
+				source: 'import'
+			});
+			// Subtask has no metadata (as expected from AI)
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].subtasks[0].metadata).toBeUndefined();
+		});
+
+		it('should handle multiple sequential AI updates preserving metadata', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					metadata: { originalField: 'preserved' }
+				})
+			];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// First AI update
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { title: 'First Update' });
+			// Second AI update
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { description: 'Second Update' });
+			// Third AI update
+			await storage.updateTask('1', { priority: 'high' });
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].title).toBe('First Update');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].description).toBe('Second Update');
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].priority).toBe('high');
+			// Metadata preserved through all updates
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({ originalField: 'preserved' });
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata when update object omits metadata field entirely', async () => {
+			// This is how AI operations work - they simply don't include metadata
+			const tasks: Task[] = [
+				createTask('1', {
+					metadata: { important: 'data' }
+				})
+			];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// Update WITHOUT metadata field (AI schemas don't include it)
+			const updateWithoutMetadata: Partial<Task> = { title: 'Updated' };
+			await storage.updateTask('1', updateWithoutMetadata);
+
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+			// When metadata field is absent from updates, existing metadata is preserved
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({ important: 'data' });
+		});
+	});
+
+	describe('file format verification', () => {
+		it('should write metadata to JSON file correctly', async () => {
+			const tasks: Task[] = [createTask('1', { metadata: { written: true } })];
+
+			await storage.saveTasks(tasks);
+
+			// Read raw file to verify format
+			const filePath = path.join(tempDir, '.taskmaster', 'tasks', 'tasks.json');
+			const rawContent = fs.readFileSync(filePath, 'utf-8');
+			const parsed = JSON.parse(rawContent);
+
+			expect(parsed.tasks[0].metadata).toEqual({ written: true });
+		});
+
+		it('should load metadata from pre-existing JSON file', async () => {
+			// Write a tasks.json file manually
+			const tasksDir = path.join(tempDir, '.taskmaster', 'tasks');
+			const filePath = path.join(tasksDir, 'tasks.json');
+
+			const fileContent = {
+				tasks: [
+					{
+						id: '1',
+						title: 'Pre-existing task',
+						description: 'Description',
+						status: 'pending',
+						priority: 'medium',
+						dependencies: [],
+						details: '',
+						testStrategy: '',
+						subtasks: [],
+						metadata: {
+							preExisting: true,
+							importedFrom: 'external-system'
+						}
+					}
+				],
+				metadata: {
+					version: '1.0.0',
+					lastModified: new Date().toISOString(),
+					taskCount: 1,
+					completedCount: 0
+				}
+			};
+
+			fs.writeFileSync(filePath, JSON.stringify(fileContent, null, 2));
+
+			// Load through FileStorage
+			const loadedTasks = await storage.loadTasks();
+
+			expect(loadedTasks).toHaveLength(1);
+			expect(loadedTasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				preExisting: true,
+				importedFrom: 'external-system'
+			});
+		});
+	});
+});
--- a/packages/tm-core/tests/integration/storage/task-metadata-extraction.test.ts
+++ b/packages/tm-core/tests/integration/storage/task-metadata-extraction.test.ts
@@ -492,4 +492,157 @@ describe('Task Metadata Extraction - Integration Tests', () => {
 			expect(validCategories).toContain(task.category);
 		});
 	});
+
+	describe('User-Defined Metadata Field', () => {
+		it('should preserve user-defined metadata through JSON serialization', () => {
+			const taskWithMetadata: Task = {
+				id: '1',
+				title: 'Task with custom metadata',
+				description: 'Test description',
+				status: 'pending',
+				priority: 'high',
+				dependencies: [],
+				details: '',
+				testStrategy: '',
+				subtasks: [],
+				metadata: {
+					externalId: 'JIRA-123',
+					source: 'import',
+					customField: { nested: 'value' }
+				}
+			};
+
+			const serialized = JSON.stringify(taskWithMetadata);
+			const deserialized: Task = JSON.parse(serialized);
+
+			expect(deserialized.metadata).toEqual(taskWithMetadata.metadata);
+			expect(deserialized.metadata?.externalId).toBe('JIRA-123');
+			expect(deserialized.metadata?.customField).toEqual({ nested: 'value' });
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata on subtasks through JSON serialization', () => {
+			const taskWithSubtasks: Task = {
+				id: '1',
+				title: 'Parent task',
+				description: 'Test',
+				status: 'pending',
+				priority: 'medium',
+				dependencies: [],
+				details: '',
+				testStrategy: '',
+				metadata: { parentMeta: true },
+				subtasks: [
+					{
+						id: 1,
+						parentId: '1',
+						title: 'Subtask 1',
+						description: 'Test',
+						status: 'pending',
+						priority: 'medium',
+						dependencies: [],
+						details: '',
+						testStrategy: '',
+						metadata: { subtaskMeta: 'value1' }
+					}
+				]
+			};
+
+			const serialized = JSON.stringify(taskWithSubtasks);
+			const deserialized: Task = JSON.parse(serialized);
+
+			expect(deserialized.metadata).toEqual({ parentMeta: true });
+			expect(deserialized.subtasks[0].metadata).toEqual({
+				subtaskMeta: 'value1'
+			});
+		});
+
+		it('should handle empty metadata object', () => {
+			const task: Task = {
+				id: '1',
+				title: 'Task',
+				description: 'Test',
+				status: 'pending',
+				priority: 'medium',
+				dependencies: [],
+				details: '',
+				testStrategy: '',
+				subtasks: [],
+				metadata: {}
+			};
+
+			const serialized = JSON.stringify(task);
+			const deserialized: Task = JSON.parse(serialized);
+
+			expect(deserialized.metadata).toEqual({});
+		});
+
+		it('should handle complex metadata with various types', () => {
+			const task: Task = {
+				id: '1',
+				title: 'Task',
+				description: 'Test',
+				status: 'pending',
+				priority: 'medium',
+				dependencies: [],
+				details: '',
+				testStrategy: '',
+				subtasks: [],
+				metadata: {
+					string: 'value',
+					number: 42,
+					boolean: true,
+					nullValue: null,
+					array: [1, 2, 3],
+					nested: {
+						deep: {
+							value: 'found'
+						}
+					}
+				}
+			};
+
+			const serialized = JSON.stringify(task);
+			const deserialized: Task = JSON.parse(serialized);
+
+			expect(deserialized.metadata?.string).toBe('value');
+			expect(deserialized.metadata?.number).toBe(42);
+			expect(deserialized.metadata?.boolean).toBe(true);
+			expect(deserialized.metadata?.nullValue).toBeNull();
+			expect(deserialized.metadata?.array).toEqual([1, 2, 3]);
+			expect((deserialized.metadata?.nested as any)?.deep?.value).toBe('found');
+		});
+
+		it('should preserve metadata alongside AI implementation metadata', () => {
+			const task: Task = {
+				id: '1',
+				title: 'Task',
+				description: 'Test',
+				status: 'pending',
+				priority: 'medium',
+				dependencies: [],
+				details: 'Some details',
+				testStrategy: 'Unit tests',
+				subtasks: [],
+				// AI implementation metadata
+				relevantFiles: [
+					{ path: 'src/test.ts', description: 'Test file', action: 'modify' }
+				],
+				category: 'development',
+				skills: ['TypeScript'],
+				// User-defined metadata
+				metadata: {
+					externalId: 'EXT-456',
+					importedAt: '2024-01-15T10:00:00Z'
+				}
+			};
+
+			const serialized = JSON.stringify(task);
+			const deserialized: Task = JSON.parse(serialized);
+
+			// Both types of metadata should be preserved
+			expect(deserialized.relevantFiles).toHaveLength(1);
+			expect(deserialized.category).toBe('development');
+			expect(deserialized.metadata?.externalId).toBe('EXT-456');
+		});
+	});
 });
--- a/scripts/modules/commands.js
+++ b/scripts/modules/commands.js
@@ -5249,6 +5249,15 @@ Examples:
 	return programInstance;
 }

+/**
+ * Load the TUI module (coming soon)
+ * @returns {Promise<object|null>} null - TUI not yet available
+ */
+async function loadTUI() {
+	// TUI is coming soon - return null for now
+	return null;
+}
+
 /**
 * Launch the interactive TUI REPL
 */
@@ -5257,10 +5266,8 @@ async function launchREPL() {
 	const tui = await loadTUI();

 	if (!tui) {
-		// Fallback to help if TUI not available
-		console.log(
-			chalk.yellow('TUI mode not available. Install @tm/tui to enable.')
-		);
+		// TUI coming soon - show help for now
+		console.log(chalk.yellow('TUI mode coming soon!'));
 		console.log(chalk.dim('Showing help instead...\n'));
 		if (isConnectedToHamster()) {
 			displayHamsterHelp();
@@ -5398,7 +5405,8 @@ async function runCLI(argv = process.argv) {
 		// Display banner if not in a pipe (except for init/start/repl commands which have their own)
 		const isInitCommand = argv.includes('init');
 		const isREPLCommand = argv.includes('tui') || argv.includes('repl');
-		if (process.stdout.isTTY && !isInitCommand && !isREPLCommand) {
+		const noBanner = argv.includes('--no-banner');
+		if (process.stdout.isTTY && !isInitCommand && !isREPLCommand && !noBanner) {
 			displayBanner();
 		}

@@ -5435,7 +5443,9 @@ async function runCLI(argv = process.argv) {
 		// NOTE: getConfig() might be called during setupCLI->registerCommands if commands need config
 		// This means the ConfigurationError might be thrown here if configuration file is missing.
 		const programInstance = setupCLI();
-		await programInstance.parseAsync(argv);
+		// Filter out --no-banner since it's handled above and not a Commander option
+		const filteredArgv = argv.filter((arg) => arg !== '--no-banner');
+		await programInstance.parseAsync(filteredArgv);

 		// Check if migration has occurred and show FYI notice once
 		try {
--- a/scripts/modules/task-manager/update-subtask-by-id.js
+++ b/scripts/modules/task-manager/update-subtask-by-id.js
@@ -48,7 +48,13 @@ async function updateSubtaskById(
 	context = {},
 	outputFormat = context.mcpLog ? 'json' : 'text'
 ) {
-	const { session, mcpLog, projectRoot: providedProjectRoot, tag } = context;
+	const {
+		session,
+		mcpLog,
+		projectRoot: providedProjectRoot,
+		tag,
+		metadata
+	} = context;
 	const logFn = mcpLog || consoleLog;
 	const isMCP = !!mcpLog;

@@ -71,10 +77,13 @@ async function updateSubtaskById(
 		if (!subtaskId || typeof subtaskId !== 'string') {
 			throw new Error('Subtask ID cannot be empty.');
 		}
-
-		if (!prompt || typeof prompt !== 'string' || prompt.trim() === '') {
+		// Allow metadata-only updates (no prompt required if metadata is provided)
+		if (
+			(!prompt || typeof prompt !== 'string' || prompt.trim() === '') &&
+			!metadata
+		) {
 			throw new Error(
-				'Prompt cannot be empty. Please provide context for the subtask update.'
+				'Prompt cannot be empty unless metadata is provided. Please provide context for the subtask update or metadata to merge.'
 			);
 		}

@@ -93,6 +102,7 @@ async function updateSubtaskById(
 			tag,
 			appendMode: true, // Subtask updates are always append mode
 			useResearch,
+			metadata,
 			isMCP,
 			outputFormat,
 			report
@@ -164,6 +174,30 @@ async function updateSubtaskById(

 		const subtask = parentTask.subtasks[subtaskIndex];

+		// --- Metadata-Only Update (Fast Path) ---
+		// If only metadata is provided (no prompt), skip AI and just update metadata
+		if (metadata && (!prompt || prompt.trim() === '')) {
+			report('info', `Metadata-only update for subtask ${subtaskId}`);
+			// Merge new metadata with existing
+			subtask.metadata = {
+				...(subtask.metadata || {}),
+				...metadata
+			};
+			parentTask.subtasks[subtaskIndex] = subtask;
+			writeJSON(tasksPath, data, projectRoot, tag);
+			report(
+				'success',
+				`Successfully updated metadata for subtask ${subtaskId}`
+			);
+
+			return {
+				updatedSubtask: subtask,
+				telemetryData: null,
+				tagInfo: { tag }
+			};
+		}
+		// --- End Metadata-Only Update ---
+
 		// --- Context Gathering ---
 		let gatheredContext = '';
 		try {
@@ -334,6 +368,14 @@ async function updateSubtaskById(

 		const updatedSubtask = parentTask.subtasks[subtaskIndex];

+		// Merge metadata if provided (preserve existing metadata)
+		if (metadata) {
+			updatedSubtask.metadata = {
+				...(updatedSubtask.metadata || {}),
+				...metadata
+			};
+		}
+
 		if (outputFormat === 'text' && getDebugFlag(session)) {
 			console.log(
 				'>>> DEBUG: Subtask details AFTER AI update:',
--- a/scripts/modules/task-manager/update-task-by-id.js
+++ b/scripts/modules/task-manager/update-task-by-id.js
@@ -58,7 +58,13 @@ async function updateTaskById(
 	outputFormat = 'text',
 	appendMode = false
 ) {
-	const { session, mcpLog, projectRoot: providedProjectRoot, tag } = context;
+	const {
+		session,
+		mcpLog,
+		projectRoot: providedProjectRoot,
+		tag,
+		metadata
+	} = context;
 	const { report, isMCP } = createBridgeLogger(mcpLog, session);

 	try {
@@ -70,8 +76,15 @@ async function updateTaskById(
 		if (taskId === null || taskId === undefined || String(taskId).trim() === '')
 			throw new Error('Task ID cannot be empty.');

-		if (!prompt || typeof prompt !== 'string' || prompt.trim() === '')
-			throw new Error('Prompt cannot be empty.');
+		// Allow metadata-only updates (prompt can be empty if metadata is provided)
+		if (
+			(!prompt || typeof prompt !== 'string' || prompt.trim() === '') &&
+			!metadata
+		) {
+			throw new Error(
+				'Prompt cannot be empty unless metadata is provided for update.'
+			);
+		}

 		// Determine project root first (needed for API key checks)
 		const projectRoot = providedProjectRoot || findProjectRoot();
@@ -99,6 +112,7 @@ async function updateTaskById(
 			tag,
 			appendMode,
 			useResearch,
+			metadata,
 			isMCP,
 			outputFormat,
 			report
@@ -166,6 +180,27 @@ async function updateTaskById(
 		}
 		// --- End Task Loading ---

+		// --- Metadata-Only Update (Fast Path) ---
+		// If only metadata is provided (no prompt), skip AI and just update metadata
+		if (metadata && (!prompt || prompt.trim() === '')) {
+			report('info', `Metadata-only update for task ${taskId}`);
+			// Merge new metadata with existing
+			taskToUpdate.metadata = {
+				...(taskToUpdate.metadata || {}),
+				...metadata
+			};
+			data.tasks[taskIndex] = taskToUpdate;
+			writeJSON(tasksPath, data, projectRoot, tag);
+			report('success', `Successfully updated metadata for task ${taskId}`);
+
+			return {
+				updatedTask: taskToUpdate,
+				telemetryData: null,
+				tagInfo: { tag }
+			};
+		}
+		// --- End Metadata-Only Update ---
+
 		// --- Context Gathering ---
 		let gatheredContext = '';
 		try {
@@ -385,6 +420,14 @@ async function updateTaskById(
 					}
 				}

+				// Merge metadata if provided
+				if (metadata) {
+					taskToUpdate.metadata = {
+						...(taskToUpdate.metadata || {}),
+						...metadata
+					};
+				}
+
 				// Write the updated task back to file
 				data.tasks[taskIndex] = taskToUpdate;
 				writeJSON(tasksPath, data, projectRoot, tag);
@@ -455,6 +498,14 @@ async function updateTaskById(
 			if (updatedTask.subtasks && Array.isArray(updatedTask.subtasks)) {
 				let currentSubtaskId = 1;
 				updatedTask.subtasks = updatedTask.subtasks.map((subtask) => {
+					// Find original subtask to preserve its metadata
+					// Use type-coerced ID matching (AI may return string IDs vs numeric)
+					// Also match by title as fallback (subtask titles are typically unique)
+					const originalSubtask = taskToUpdate.subtasks?.find(
+						(st) =>
+							String(st.id) === String(subtask.id) ||
+							(subtask.title && st.title === subtask.title)
+					);
 					// Fix AI-generated subtask IDs that might be strings or use parent ID as prefix
 					const correctedSubtask = {
 						...subtask,
@@ -472,7 +523,11 @@ async function updateTaskById(
 									)
 							: [],
 						status: subtask.status || 'pending',
-						testStrategy: subtask.testStrategy ?? null
+						testStrategy: subtask.testStrategy ?? null,
+						// Preserve subtask metadata from original (AI schema excludes metadata)
+						...(originalSubtask?.metadata && {
+							metadata: originalSubtask.metadata
+						})
 					};
 					currentSubtaskId++;
 					return correctedSubtask;
@@ -529,6 +584,17 @@ async function updateTaskById(
 			}
 			// --- End Task Validation/Correction ---

+			// --- Preserve and Merge Metadata ---
+			// AI responses don't include metadata (AI schema excludes it)
+			// Preserve existing metadata from original task and merge new metadata if provided
+			if (taskToUpdate.metadata || metadata) {
+				updatedTask.metadata = {
+					...(taskToUpdate.metadata || {}),
+					...(metadata || {})
+				};
+			}
+			// --- End Preserve and Merge Metadata ---
+
 			// --- Update Task Data (Keep existing) ---
 			data.tasks[taskIndex] = updatedTask;
 			// --- End Update Task Data ---
--- a/scripts/modules/utils.js
+++ b/scripts/modules/utils.js
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ import {
 } from '../../src/constants/paths.js';
 // Import specific config getters needed here
 import { getDebugFlag, getLogLevel } from './config-manager.js';
+// Import FileOperations from tm-core for atomic file modifications
+import { FileOperations } from '@tm/core';
 import * as gitUtils from './utils/git-utils.js';

 // Global silent mode flag
@@ -973,9 +975,45 @@ function markMigrationForNotice(tasksJsonPath) {
 	}
 }

+// Shared FileOperations instance for modifyJSON
+let _fileOps = null;
+
+/**
+ * Gets or creates the shared FileOperations instance
+ * @returns {FileOperations} The shared FileOperations instance
+ */
+function getFileOps() {
+	if (!_fileOps) {
+		_fileOps = new FileOperations();
+	}
+	return _fileOps;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Atomically modifies a JSON file using a callback pattern.
+ * This is the safe way to update JSON files - it reads, modifies, and writes
+ * all within a single lock, preventing race conditions.
+ *
+ * Uses FileOperations from @tm/core for proper cross-process locking.
+ *
+ * @param {string} filepath - Path to the JSON file
+ * @param {Function} modifier - Async callback that receives current data and returns modified data.
+ *                              Signature: (currentData: Object) => Object | Promise<Object>
+ * @returns {Promise<void>}
+ */
+async function modifyJSON(filepath, modifier) {
+	const fileOps = getFileOps();
+	await fileOps.modifyJson(filepath, modifier);
+}
+
 /**
 * Writes and saves a JSON file. Handles tagged task lists properly.
 * Uses cross-process file locking and atomic writes to prevent race conditions.
+ *
+ * @deprecated For new code, prefer modifyJSON() which provides atomic read-modify-write.
+ * This function is maintained for backwards compatibility but callers should migrate
+ * to modifyJSON() to prevent race conditions from stale reads.
+ *
 * @param {string} filepath - Path to the JSON file
 * @param {Object} data - Data to write (can be resolved tag data or raw tagged data)
 * @param {string} projectRoot - Optional project root for tag context
@@ -1921,6 +1959,7 @@ export {
 	log,
 	readJSON,
 	writeJSON,
+	modifyJSON,
 	sanitizePrompt,
 	readComplexityReport,
 	findTaskInComplexityReport,
--- a/src/schemas/base-schemas.js
+++ b/src/schemas/base-schemas.js
@@ -10,6 +10,11 @@ import { z } from 'zod';
 *
 * Other providers (Anthropic, Google, etc.) safely ignore this constraint.
 * See: https://platform.openai.com/docs/guides/structured-outputs
+ *
+ * NOTE: The `metadata` field (user-defined task metadata) is intentionally EXCLUDED
+ * from all AI schemas. This ensures AI operations cannot overwrite user metadata.
+ * When tasks are updated via AI, the spread operator preserves existing metadata
+ * since AI responses won't include a metadata field.
 */
 export const TaskStatusSchema = z.enum([
 	'pending',
--- a/taskmaster.mcpb
+++ b/taskmaster.mcpb
--- a/tests/setup.js
+++ b/tests/setup.js
@@ -51,3 +51,16 @@ if (process.env.SILENCE_CONSOLE === 'true') {
 		error: () => {}
 	};
 }
+
+// Clean up signal-exit listeners after all tests to prevent open handle warnings
+// This is needed because packages like proper-lockfile register signal handlers
+afterAll(async () => {
+	// Give any pending async operations time to complete
+	await new Promise((resolve) => setImmediate(resolve));
+
+	// Clean up any registered signal handlers from signal-exit
+	const listeners = ['SIGINT', 'SIGTERM', 'SIGHUP'];
+	for (const signal of listeners) {
+		process.removeAllListeners(signal);
+	}
+});