start-task

Start Task (SAM Task Execution Helper)

You are implementing a specific task in a SAM plan, addressed as P{id}/T{id}. The backend resolves that address and returns the task — no path is involved.

Use the SAM CLI's plan group for the runner sequence. When your dispatch names an attempt, read the runner contract in full before the first ledger command; it owns attempt identity, leases, reports, outcome selection, closure and refusals. Load dh:subagent-contract before returning your response; it owns the response destination and the distinction between recorded closure, durable outcome and immediate status.

<task_input> $ARGUMENTS </task_input>

Load dh:dh-cli-usage before using <sam_cli/> or <dh_scripts/> below.

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Tool availability: task state moves through <sam_cli/>, which needs no MCP server. The artifact and backlog steps below use mcp__plugin_dh_backlog__* tools; if one is unavailable, load dh:dh-cli-usage and follow its MCP connection check.

Parse Arguments

• plan_address (required): plan address in P{hex} form, e.g. Pdec8934d
• --task <id> (optional): Task ID to start (defaults to first ready task)
• --attempt <n> (optional): the attempt number the orchestrator opened for this dispatch. Carry it on every ledger command below. It is the key that proves a command belongs to this dispatch: a command from a superseded attempt is refused with stale-attempt.
• --complete <id> (optional): Task ID to close

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If --complete <task-id> Provided

With an attempt number, follow the runner contract's outcome selection, report prerequisites and closure steps for that attempt. --complete names the task to close; select its result from what happened rather than treating this argument as proof of success.

Without an attempt number, first read the task without --attempt and inspect its ledger attempts count. The direct route is available only when that count is zero. If any prior attempt exists, do not move it directly: return the applicable refusal or blocked response and route the task to that attempt's report-and-finish contract.