TaskCreate/TaskUpdate system reminders are too frequent and add context noise

Resolved 💬 3 comments Opened Apr 10, 2026 by hrconsultnj Closed Apr 13, 2026

Problem

When using Claude Code with the task tools (TaskCreate, TaskUpdate), the system injects periodic reminders like:

"The task tools haven't been used recently. If you're working on tasks that would benefit from tracking progress, consider using TaskCreate..."

These fire very frequently — often every 2-3 tool calls — even when the current work doesn't warrant task tracking (e.g., single-file edits, quick lookups, conversational exchanges).

Impact

  • Context pollution: Each reminder consumes tokens in the context window, reducing space for actual work
  • Noise for plugin authors: Plugins that use hooks (SessionStart, PreToolUse, PostToolUse) already manage their own task workflows. The system reminders compete with plugin-driven task management
  • Breaks flow: When doing rapid file edits, seeing "task tools haven't been used recently" after every edit is distracting

Suggested fix

  • Option A: Make the reminder frequency configurable (e.g., settings.jsontaskReminderInterval: "never" | "low" | "default")
  • Option B: Only show the reminder once per session, not repeatedly
  • Option C: Suppress reminders when a plugin has registered task-related hooks (indicating it handles task management)

Environment

  • Claude Code CLI
  • Using plugins with PostToolUse hooks that manage task state independently
  • High-frequency tool use sessions (50+ tool calls)

cc @bcherny

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