feat: add optional todos parameter to new_task tool

- Added todos parameter to NewTaskToolUse interface
- Updated new_task tool description with todos parameter documentation
- Modified newTaskTool.ts to extract and pass todos to initClineWithTask
- Updated ClineProvider.initClineWithTask to accept todos in options
- Enhanced Task constructor to parse initial todos from markdown format
- Added comprehensive tests for todo parsing functionality
- Fixed bug where empty string todos were not handled correctly

src/core/prompts/tools/new-task.ts

@@ -7,11 +7,18 @@ Description: This will let you create a new task instance in the chosen mode usi
 Parameters:
 - mode: (required) The slug of the mode to start the new task in (e.g., "code", "debug", "architect").
 - message: (required) The initial user message or instructions for this new task.
+- todos: (optional) A markdown checklist of todo items to initialize the new task with. Use the same format as update_todo_list.
 
 Usage:
 <new_task>
 <mode>your-mode-slug-here</mode>
 <message>Your initial instructions here</message>
+<todos>
+[ ] First todo item
+[ ] Second todo item
+[x] Completed todo item
+[-] In progress todo item
+</todos>
 </new_task>
 
 Example:
@@ -19,5 +26,18 @@ Example:
 <mode>code</mode>
 <message>Implement a new feature for the application.</message>
 </new_task>
+
+Example with todos:
+<new_task>
+<mode>code</mode>
+<message>Implement user authentication</message>
+<todos>
+[ ] Set up authentication middleware
+[ ] Create login endpoint
+[ ] Create logout endpoint
+[ ] Add session management
+[ ] Write tests for authentication
+</todos>
+</new_task>
 `
 }

src/core/task/Task.ts

@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@ export type TaskOptions = {
 	parentTask?: Task
 	taskNumber?: number
 	onCreated?: (cline: Task) => void
+	todos?: string
 }
 
 export class Task extends EventEmitter<ClineEvents> {
@@ -228,6 +229,7 @@ export class Task extends EventEmitter<ClineEvents> {
 		parentTask,
 		taskNumber = -1,
 		onCreated,
+		todos,
 	}: TaskOptions) {
 		super()
 
@@ -294,6 +296,11 @@ export class Task extends EventEmitter<ClineEvents> {
 
 		this.toolRepetitionDetector = new ToolRepetitionDetector(this.consecutiveMistakeLimit)
 
+		// Parse and initialize todos if provided
+		if (todos !== undefined) {
+			this.parseTodosFromMarkdown(todos)
+		}
+
 		onCreated?.(this)
 
 		if (startTask) {
@@ -1956,4 +1963,42 @@ export class Task extends EventEmitter<ClineEvents> {
 	public get cwd() {
 		return this.workspacePath
 	}
+
+	// Todo parsing
+	private parseTodosFromMarkdown(todosMarkdown: string): void {
+		if (typeof todosMarkdown !== "string") {
+			return
+		}
+
+		this.todoList = []
+
+		if (!todosMarkdown) {
+			return
+		}
+
+		const lines = todosMarkdown
+			.split(/\r?\n/)
+			.map((l) => l.trim())
+			.filter(Boolean)
+
+		for (const line of lines) {
+			const match = line.match(/^\[\s*([ xX\-~])\s*\]\s+(.+)$/)
+			if (!match) continue
+
+			let status: "pending" | "in_progress" | "completed" = "pending"
+			if (match[1] === "x" || match[1] === "X") status = "completed"
+			else if (match[1] === "-" || match[1] === "~") status = "in_progress"
+
+			const id = crypto
+				.createHash("md5")
+				.update(match[2] + status)
+				.digest("hex")
+
+			this.todoList.push({
+				id,
+				content: match[2],
+				status,
+			})
+		}
+	}
 }

src/core/task/__tests__/Task.spec.ts

@@ -389,6 +389,157 @@ describe("Cline", () => {
 				new Task({ provider: mockProvider, apiConfiguration: mockApiConfig })
 			}).toThrow("Either historyItem or task/images must be provided")
 		})
+
+		it("should parse todos from markdown checklist when provided", () => {
+			const todosMarkdown = `[x] Design the architecture
+[-] Write the code
+[ ] Add tests
+[ ] Update documentation`
+
+			const task = new Task({
+				provider: mockProvider,
+				apiConfiguration: mockApiConfig,
+				task: "test task",
+				todos: todosMarkdown,
+				startTask: false,
+			})
+
+			expect(task.todoList).toBeDefined()
+			expect(task.todoList).toHaveLength(4)
+
+			expect(task.todoList![0].content).toBe("Design the architecture")
+			expect(task.todoList![0].status).toBe("completed")
+
+			expect(task.todoList![1].content).toBe("Write the code")
+			expect(task.todoList![1].status).toBe("in_progress")
+
+			expect(task.todoList![2].content).toBe("Add tests")
+			expect(task.todoList![2].status).toBe("pending")
+
+			expect(task.todoList![3].content).toBe("Update documentation")
+			expect(task.todoList![3].status).toBe("pending")
+		})
+
+		it("should handle various markdown checklist formats", () => {
+			const todosMarkdown = `[X] Uppercase completed
+[~] Alternative in-progress
+[ ]   Extra spaces
+[x]No space after bracket`
+
+			const task = new Task({
+				provider: mockProvider,
+				apiConfiguration: mockApiConfig,
+				task: "test task",
+				todos: todosMarkdown,
+				startTask: false,
+			})
+
+			expect(task.todoList).toBeDefined()
+			expect(task.todoList).toHaveLength(3) // "No space after bracket" won't match the regex
+
+			expect(task.todoList![0].content).toBe("Uppercase completed")
+			expect(task.todoList![0].status).toBe("completed")
+
+			expect(task.todoList![1].content).toBe("Alternative in-progress")
+			expect(task.todoList![1].status).toBe("in_progress")
+
+			expect(task.todoList![2].content).toBe("Extra spaces")
+			expect(task.todoList![2].status).toBe("pending")
+		})
+
+		it("should handle empty todos parameter", () => {
+			const task = new Task({
+				provider: mockProvider,
+				apiConfiguration: mockApiConfig,
+				task: "test task",
+				todos: "",
+				startTask: false,
+			})
+
+			expect(task.todoList).toBeDefined()
+			expect(task.todoList).toHaveLength(0)
+		})
+
+		it("should handle undefined todos parameter", () => {
+			const task = new Task({
+				provider: mockProvider,
+				apiConfiguration: mockApiConfig,
+				task: "test task",
+				startTask: false,
+			})
+
+			expect(task.todoList).toBeUndefined()
+		})
+
+		it("should handle todos with special characters", () => {
+			const todosMarkdown = `[x] Handle @mentions and $variables
+[ ] Support | pipes and \\ backslashes
+[-] Test "quotes" and 'apostrophes'`
+
+			const task = new Task({
+				provider: mockProvider,
+				apiConfiguration: mockApiConfig,
+				task: "test task",
+				todos: todosMarkdown,
+				startTask: false,
+			})
+
+			expect(task.todoList).toBeDefined()
+			expect(task.todoList).toHaveLength(3)
+
+			expect(task.todoList![0].content).toBe("Handle @mentions and $variables")
+			expect(task.todoList![1].content).toBe("Support | pipes and \\ backslashes")
+			expect(task.todoList![2].content).toBe("Test \"quotes\" and 'apostrophes'")
+		})
+
+		it("should generate unique IDs for todos", () => {
+			const todosMarkdown = `[ ] First task
+[ ] Second task
+[ ] Third task`
+
+			const task = new Task({
+				provider: mockProvider,
+				apiConfiguration: mockApiConfig,
+				task: "test task",
+				todos: todosMarkdown,
+				startTask: false,
+			})
+
+			expect(task.todoList).toBeDefined()
+			expect(task.todoList).toHaveLength(3)
+
+			// Check that all IDs are unique
+			const ids = task.todoList!.map((todo) => todo.id)
+			const uniqueIds = new Set(ids)
+			expect(uniqueIds.size).toBe(3)
+
+			// Check that IDs are valid MD5 hashes (32 hex characters)
+			ids.forEach((id) => {
+				expect(id).toMatch(/^[a-f0-9]{32}$/)
+			})
+		})
+
+		it("should ignore invalid checklist lines", () => {
+			const todosMarkdown = `[x] Valid task
+This is not a checklist item
+- [ ] This format is not supported
+[x] Another valid task
+Random text`
+
+			const task = new Task({
+				provider: mockProvider,
+				apiConfiguration: mockApiConfig,
+				task: "test task",
+				todos: todosMarkdown,
+				startTask: false,
+			})
+
+			expect(task.todoList).toBeDefined()
+			expect(task.todoList).toHaveLength(2)
+
+			expect(task.todoList![0].content).toBe("Valid task")
+			expect(task.todoList![1].content).toBe("Another valid task")
+		})
 	})
 
 	describe("getEnvironmentDetails", () => {

src/core/tools/__tests__/newTaskTool.spec.ts

@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ describe("newTaskTool", () => {
 			"Review this: \\@file1.txt and also \\\\\\@file2.txt", // Unit Test Expectation: \\@ -> \@, \\\\@ -> \\\\@
 			undefined,
 			mockCline,
+			{ todos: undefined },
 		)
 
 		// Verify side effects
@@ -126,6 +127,7 @@ describe("newTaskTool", () => {
 			"This is already unescaped: \\@file1.txt", // Expected: \@ remains \@
 			undefined,
 			mockCline,
+			{ todos: undefined },
 		)
 	})
 
@@ -153,6 +155,7 @@ describe("newTaskTool", () => {
 			"A normal mention @file1.txt", // Expected: @ remains @
 			undefined,
 			mockCline,
+			{ todos: undefined },
 		)
 	})
 
@@ -180,8 +183,136 @@ describe("newTaskTool", () => {
 			"Mix: @file0.txt, \\@file1.txt, \\@file2.txt, \\\\\\@file3.txt", // Unit Test Expectation: @->@, \@->\@, \\@->\@, \\\\@->\\\\@
 			undefined,
 			mockCline,
+			{ todos: undefined },
 		)
 	})
 
+	it("should pass todos parameter to initClineWithTask when provided", async () => {
+		const block: ToolUse = {
+			type: "tool_use",
+			name: "new_task",
+			params: {
+				mode: "code",
+				message: "Implement a new feature",
+				todos: "[x] Design the architecture\n[-] Write the code\n[ ] Add tests\n[ ] Update documentation",
+			},
+			partial: false,
+		}
+
+		await newTaskTool(
+			mockCline as any,
+			block,
+			mockAskApproval,
+			mockHandleError,
+			mockPushToolResult,
+			mockRemoveClosingTag,
+		)
+
+		expect(mockInitClineWithTask).toHaveBeenCalledWith("Implement a new feature", undefined, mockCline, {
+			todos: "[x] Design the architecture\n[-] Write the code\n[ ] Add tests\n[ ] Update documentation",
+		})
+	})
+
+	it("should handle todos parameter with various markdown checklist formats", async () => {
+		const block: ToolUse = {
+			type: "tool_use",
+			name: "new_task",
+			params: {
+				mode: "code",
+				message: "Complex task",
+				todos: "[X] Completed uppercase\n[~] Alternative in-progress\n[ ] Pending with extra spaces\n[x]No space after bracket",
+			},
+			partial: false,
+		}
+
+		await newTaskTool(
+			mockCline as any,
+			block,
+			mockAskApproval,
+			mockHandleError,
+			mockPushToolResult,
+			mockRemoveClosingTag,
+		)
+
+		expect(mockInitClineWithTask).toHaveBeenCalledWith("Complex task", undefined, mockCline, {
+			todos: "[X] Completed uppercase\n[~] Alternative in-progress\n[ ] Pending with extra spaces\n[x]No space after bracket",
+		})
+	})
+
+	it("should work without todos parameter (backward compatibility)", async () => {
+		const block: ToolUse = {
+			type: "tool_use",
+			name: "new_task",
+			params: {
+				mode: "code",
+				message: "Task without todos",
+			},
+			partial: false,
+		}
+
+		await newTaskTool(
+			mockCline as any,
+			block,
+			mockAskApproval,
+			mockHandleError,
+			mockPushToolResult,
+			mockRemoveClosingTag,
+		)
+
+		// Should be called without the todos in options
+		expect(mockInitClineWithTask).toHaveBeenCalledWith("Task without todos", undefined, mockCline, {})
+	})
+
+	it("should handle empty todos parameter", async () => {
+		const block: ToolUse = {
+			type: "tool_use",
+			name: "new_task",
+			params: {
+				mode: "code",
+				message: "Task with empty todos",
+				todos: "",
+			},
+			partial: false,
+		}
+
+		await newTaskTool(
+			mockCline as any,
+			block,
+			mockAskApproval,
+			mockHandleError,
+			mockPushToolResult,
+			mockRemoveClosingTag,
+		)
+
+		// Empty string should still be passed
+		expect(mockInitClineWithTask).toHaveBeenCalledWith("Task with empty todos", undefined, mockCline, { todos: "" })
+	})
+
+	it("should handle todos with special characters and escaping", async () => {
+		const block: ToolUse = {
+			type: "tool_use",
+			name: "new_task",
+			params: {
+				mode: "code",
+				message: "Task with special todos",
+				todos: "[x] Handle \\@mentions in todos\n[ ] Support | pipes and \\\\ backslashes\n[-] Test \"quotes\" and 'apostrophes'",
+			},
+			partial: false,
+		}
+
+		await newTaskTool(
+			mockCline as any,
+			block,
+			mockAskApproval,
+			mockHandleError,
+			mockPushToolResult,
+			mockRemoveClosingTag,
+		)
+
+		expect(mockInitClineWithTask).toHaveBeenCalledWith("Task with special todos", undefined, mockCline, {
+			todos: "[x] Handle \\@mentions in todos\n[ ] Support | pipes and \\\\ backslashes\n[-] Test \"quotes\" and 'apostrophes'",
+		})
+	})
+
 	// Add more tests for error handling (missing params, invalid mode, approval denied) if needed
 })

src/core/tools/newTaskTool.ts

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ export async function newTaskTool(
 ) {
 	const mode: string | undefined = block.params.mode
 	const message: string | undefined = block.params.message
+	const todos: string | undefined = block.params.todos
 
 	try {
 		if (block.partial) {
@@ -23,6 +24,7 @@ export async function newTaskTool(
 				tool: "newTask",
 				mode: removeClosingTag("mode", mode),
 				content: removeClosingTag("message", message),
+				todos: removeClosingTag("todos", todos),
 			})
 
 			await cline.ask("tool", partialMessage, block.partial).catch(() => {})
@@ -59,6 +61,7 @@ export async function newTaskTool(
 				tool: "newTask",
 				mode: targetMode.name,
 				content: message,
+				todos: todos,
 			})
 
 			const didApprove = await askApproval("tool", toolMessage)
@@ -86,7 +89,7 @@ export async function newTaskTool(
 			// Delay to allow mode change to take effect before next tool is executed.
 			await delay(500)
 
-			const newCline = await provider.initClineWithTask(unescapedMessage, undefined, cline)
+			const newCline = await provider.initClineWithTask(unescapedMessage, undefined, cline, { todos })
 			if (!newCline) {
 				pushToolResult(t("tools:newTask.errors.policy_restriction"))
 				return

src/core/webview/ClineProvider.ts

@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ export class ClineProvider
 				TaskOptions,
 				"enableDiff" | "enableCheckpoints" | "fuzzyMatchThreshold" | "consecutiveMistakeLimit" | "experiments"
 			>
-		> = {},
+		> & { todos?: string } = {},
 	) {
 		const {
 			apiConfiguration,
@@ -549,6 +549,8 @@ export class ClineProvider
 			throw new OrganizationAllowListViolationError(t("common:errors.violated_organization_allowlist"))
 		}
 
+		const { todos, ...taskOptions } = options
+
 		const cline = new Task({
 			provider: this,
 			apiConfiguration,
@@ -563,7 +565,8 @@ export class ClineProvider
 			parentTask,
 			taskNumber: this.clineStack.length + 1,
 			onCreated: (cline) => this.emit("clineCreated", cline),
-			...options,
+			todos,
+			...taskOptions,
 		})
 
 		await this.addClineToStack(cline)

src/shared/tools.ts

@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ export interface SwitchModeToolUse extends ToolUse {
 
 export interface NewTaskToolUse extends ToolUse {
 	name: "new_task"
-	params: Partial<Pick<Record<ToolParamName, string>, "mode" | "message">>
+	params: Partial<Pick<Record<ToolParamName, string>, "mode" | "message" | "todos">>
 }
 
 export interface SearchAndReplaceToolUse extends ToolUse {