Task tools not automatically used during multi-step implementations

Summary

When Claude Code has access to task management tools (TaskCreate, TaskList, TaskGet, TaskUpdate), they are not automatically used when implementing larger plans or multi-step work—even though the tool description explicitly states they should be used proactively.

Expected Behavior

According to the TaskCreate tool description:

Use this tool proactively in these scenarios: - Complex multi-step tasks - When a task requires 3 or more distinct steps - Plan mode - When using plan mode, create a task list to track the work - User provides multiple tasks - When users provide a list of things to be done

The expectation is that task tracking would automatically engage when:

1. Exiting plan mode with an approved implementation plan
2. Starting work that clearly has 3+ distinct steps
3. User provides a list of items to work through

Actual Behavior

Task tools remain unused unless the user explicitly requests task tracking. The model acknowledges this is inconsistent behavior but doesn't self-correct.

Proposed Improvement

Consider stronger prompting or a system-level trigger that automatically creates a task list when:

• A plan is approved in plan mode
• The model identifies 3+ implementation steps
• Multiple distinct work items are detected

This would improve visibility into progress for longer-running work and help users understand where Claude is in a multi-step process.

Workaround

Users can add explicit instructions to their CLAUDE.md:

## Task Tracking
Always use TaskCreate for implementations with 3+ steps.

But this feels like behavior that should be default given the tool's stated purpose.