--- title: Claude Code Setup sidebarTitle: "Claude Code" description: "Complete guide to using Task Master with Claude Code" --- # Claude Code Integration Task Master works seamlessly with Claude Code through multiple integration methods. This guide consolidates all Claude Code setup options in one place. ## Understanding the Options Task Master offers **three ways** to integrate with Claude Code: 1. **MCP Server** (Recommended) - Use `task-master-ai` MCP server for AI-powered task management 2. **Plugin Marketplace** - Install Task Master plugin with slash commands 3. **Claude Code Provider** - Use Claude Code's local models (no API key needed) **Package naming clarity:** - `task-master-ai` = The MCP server package (what you install via `npx`) - `task-master` = The CLI command (what you run in terminal) - These are the same package, just different names for different contexts --- ## Option 1: MCP Server (Recommended) The MCP server lets Claude Code directly manage your tasks through natural language. ### Quick Install ```bash claude mcp add taskmaster-ai -- npx -y task-master-ai ``` ### What You Get - Direct task management from Claude Code chat - AI-powered PRD parsing, task expansion, and complexity analysis - Natural language task queries and updates - 7-44 MCP tools (configurable) ### Configuration After installation, add your API keys to `.mcp.json`: ```json { "mcpServers": { "task-master-ai": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "task-master-ai"], "env": { "TASK_MASTER_TOOLS": "core", // Options: "core", "standard", "all" "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "YOUR_KEY_HERE", "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "YOUR_KEY_HERE" } } } } ``` ### Tool Loading Modes Control which tools are loaded to optimize context usage: | Mode | Tools | Use Case | |------|-------|----------| | `core` | 7 | Daily development workflow | | `standard` | 15 | Common task management | | `all` | 44+ | Full feature set | See the [MCP Tools documentation](/capabilities/mcp#configurable-tool-loading) for details. ### Usage Examples Once configured, interact with Task Master naturally in Claude Code: ``` You: Parse my PRD at .taskmaster/docs/prd.md You: What's the next task I should work on? You: Show me task 1.2 details You: Mark task 1.2 as done You: Expand task 3 into subtasks ``` --- ## Option 2: Plugin Marketplace The plugin provides 49 slash commands and 3 specialized AI agents for comprehensive task management. ### Installation ```bash # Add the marketplace /plugin marketplace add eyaltoledano/claude-task-master # Install the plugin /plugin install taskmaster@taskmaster ``` ### What You Get - 49 slash commands organized by category - Quick commands like `/tm:next`, `/tm:list`, `/tm:show` - Setup commands like `/tm:init`, `/tm:parse-prd` - Workflow automation with `/tm:workflows/*` ### Quick Start Commands ```bash /tm:init # Initialize project /tm:parse-prd # Parse requirements /tm:next # Get next task /tm:set-status/to-done 1.2 # Mark task complete ``` See [Plugin Documentation](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/blob/main/CLAUDE_CODE_PLUGIN.md) for the complete command list. --- ## Option 3: Claude Code Provider Use Claude Code's local models for Task Master AI operations (no API key required). ### Setup 1. Install and authenticate Claude Code CLI: ```bash claude setup-token ``` 2. Configure Task Master to use Claude Code: ```bash task-master models --set-main claude-code/sonnet ``` Or update `.taskmaster/config.json`: ```json { "models": { "main": "claude-code/sonnet", "fallback": "claude-code/opus" } } ``` ### Available Models - `claude-code/sonnet` - Claude 3.5 Sonnet - `claude-code/opus` - Claude 3 Opus ### Benefits - No API key required (uses your Claude Code authentication) - Native structured outputs with schema compliance - Works with all Task Master AI-powered commands ### Usage Once configured, all Task Master commands automatically use Claude Code: ```bash task-master parse-prd .taskmaster/docs/prd.md task-master expand --id=1 --research task-master analyze-complexity ``` See [Claude Code Provider docs](/providers/claude-code) for advanced configuration. --- ## Comparison: Which Option Should I Use? | Feature | MCP Server | Plugin | Provider | |---------|------------|--------|----------| | **Natural language in chat** | ✅ Yes | Limited | ❌ No | | **Slash commands** | ❌ No | ✅ 49 commands | ❌ No | | **No API key needed** | ❌ Requires API key | ❌ Requires API key | ✅ Yes | | **AI-powered operations** | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | | **Context optimization** | ✅ Configurable | ✅ Built-in | N/A | | **Best for** | Chat-first workflow | Command-first workflow | Cost-conscious users | **Recommended Setup:** Use **MCP Server + Claude Code Provider** together: - MCP Server for natural language task management in chat - Claude Code Provider to eliminate API key costs - Best of both worlds! --- ## Troubleshooting ### "0 tools enabled" in MCP settings **Solution:** Restart your editor and verify API keys are correctly configured in `.mcp.json`. ### Confusion between task-master-ai and task-master - `task-master-ai` is the **MCP server package name** (used in npx commands) - `task-master` is the **CLI command name** (used in terminal) - They're the same package, just different contexts ### Claude Code authentication failures ```bash # Re-authenticate claude setup-token # Verify token claude setup-token --verify ``` ### Plugin not appearing ```bash # Update marketplace /plugin marketplace update taskmaster # Reinstall /plugin install taskmaster@taskmaster ``` --- ## Next Steps Get started with Task Master in minutes Complete MCP tools documentation All CLI commands Customize Task Master --- ## Additional Resources - [Claude Code CLI Documentation](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code) - [Task Master Discord Community](https://discord.gg/taskmasterai) - [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/issues)