Programmatic Task Tool: Missing Progress Feedback in SDK Mode

Bug Description

Summary

The Task tool provides excellent visibility in interactive Claude Code but offers no progress feedback when used via SDK or --print mode, creating poor UX for long-running analyses in programmatic integrations.

Current Behavior

Interactive Mode (Works Great)

In full Claude Code visual mode, users see all tool calls, file reads, and analysis steps in real-time as the Task executes. The experience is quite pleasant with full transparency.

SDK/Non-Interactive Mode (Problem)

When using Claude Code via SDK or --print --output-format stream-json:

1. Parent session shows only: 🔧 Tool: Task {"description":"...", "prompt":"..."}
2. Complete blackout - no updates until child session finishes entirely
3. Child session is invisible to monitoring tools and session management
4. Returns only final result with no intermediate progress

Problem

• SDK Integration UX: Users wait minutes with zero feedback during long analyses
• No Debugging: When Task fails in SDK mode, no visibility into failure point
• Invisible Child Sessions: Monitoring tools can't track or manage Task child sessions
• Mode Inconsistency: Great experience in interactive mode, poor experience in SDK mode

Real-World Example

A TUI analysis Task took 5+ minutes with extensive file reading. Via SDK, users see only:

{"type":"assistant","message":{"content":[{"type":"tool_use","id":"...","name":"Task","input":{"description":"Check TUI implementation status","prompt":"..."}}]}}

Then complete silence until final result - no indication if it's working, stuck, or failed.

Use Cases

• SDK Integrations: Providing user feedback during long Task operations
• Monitoring Tools: Tracking all Claude Code activity including Task children
• Debugging: Understanding where Task operations fail in automated workflows
• Session Management: Properly handling Task child sessions in daemon architectures

Context

Discovered first when running into https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/1920. Interactive Claude Code already provides excellent Task visibility - this specifically addresses the SDK/programmatic usage gap.

Impact

This would bring SDK Task tool experience closer to the excellent interactive experience, making Task suitable for complex analyses in programmatic environments.

Environment Info

• Platform: macos
• Terminal: ghostty
• Version: 1.0.18
• Feedback ID: 459f0aa2-43db-4b9d-b34d-f3203663a8b3

Errors

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