/pre-task

hook pre-task

Execute pre-task preparations and context loading.

Usage

npx claude-flow hook pre-task [options]

Options

• `--description, -d <text>` - Task description for context
• `--auto-spawn-agents` - Automatically spawn required agents (default: true)
• `--load-memory` - Load relevant memory from previous sessions
• `--optimize-topology` - Select optimal swarm topology
• `--estimate-complexity` - Analyze task complexity

Examples

Basic pre-task hook

npx claude-flow hook pre-task --description "Implement user authentication"

With memory loading

npx claude-flow hook pre-task -d "Continue API development" --load-memory

Manual agent control

npx claude-flow hook pre-task -d "Debug issue #123" --auto-spawn-agents false

Full optimization

npx claude-flow hook pre-task -d "Refactor codebase" --optimize-topology --estimate-complexity

Features

Auto Agent Assignment

• Analyzes task requirements
• Determines needed agent types
• Spawns agents automatically
• Configures agent parameters

Memory Loading

• Retrieves relevant past decisions
• Loads previous task contexts
• Restores agent configurations
• Maintains continuity

Topology Optimization

• Analyzes task structure
• Selects best swarm topology
• Configures communication patterns
• Optimizes for performance

Complexity Estimation

• Evaluates task difficulty
• Estimates time requirements
• Suggests agent count
• Identifies dependencies

Integration

This hook is automatically called by Claude Code when:

• Starting a new task
• Resuming work after a break
• Switching between projects
• Beginning complex operations

Manual usage in agents:

# In agent coordination
npx claude-flow hook pre-task --description "Your task here"

Output

Returns JSON with:

{
  "continue": true,
  "topology": "hierarchical",
  "agentsSpawned": 5,
  "complexity": "medium",
  "estimatedMinutes": 30,
  "memoryLoaded": true
}

See Also

• `hook post-task` - Post-task cleanup
• `agent spawn` - Manual agent creation
• `memory usage` - Memory management
• `swarm init` - Swarm initialization