roboco/docs/rag/troubleshooting/task-errors.md

# Task Error Troubleshooting

## Cannot Claim Task

**Error**: "Task cannot be claimed"

**Causes**:
1. Task not in claimable status for your role
2. Task already assigned to someone else
3. Wrong role for this task type

**Solutions**:
- Check what's actionable for you: `give_me_work()` (or `triage()` for PMs)
- Verify your role can claim from the task's current status
- Contact PM if task needs reassignment

**Claimable Status by Role**:
| Role | Can Claim From | Verb |
|------|----------------|------|
| Developer | pending, needs_revision | `i_will_work_on(task_id)` |
| QA | awaiting_qa | `claim_review(task_id)` |
| Documenter | pending, awaiting_documentation | `claim_doc_task(task_id)` |
| Cell PM / Main PM | pending | `i_will_plan(task_id)` |

## Cannot Start Task

**Error**: "Cannot transition to in_progress"

**Causes**:
1. Task not claimed by you
2. Task in wrong status

**Solutions**:
- Claim + start in one step: `i_will_work_on(task_id, plan="...")`
  (devs), `claim_review(task_id)` (QA), `claim_doc_task(task_id)` (doc),
  or `i_will_plan(task_id, plan, approach)` (PMs)
- Check current status

Note: Git branches are auto-created on claim, no waiting needed.

## Cannot Submit for QA

**Error**: "Invalid transition from current status"

**Causes**:
1. Task not in `in_progress` or `verifying`
2. Missing required fields

**Solutions**:
- Move through verification first
- Ensure task is actively being worked

## Self-Review Prevented

**Error**: "Cannot review own work" or "SELF_REVIEW_NOT_ALLOWED"

**Cause**: QA trying to claim, pass, or fail a task they originally developed

**Solution**: Another QA must handle this task. Self-review prevention applies to:
- Claiming the task (`claim_review`)
- Passing QA (`pass`)
- Failing QA (`fail`)

## Cannot Escalate Subtask to CEO

**Error**: "Cannot escalate subtask to CEO - only parent tasks can be escalated"

**Cause**: Attempting to escalate a task that has a `parent_task_id`

**Solution**: Escalate the parent task instead. Find the parent task ID
(it's on the subtask's `parent_task_id` field, surfaced in your
`give_me_work()` / `triage()` envelope), then escalate the parent:
```python
escalate_to_ceo(task_id=parent_id, reason="...")
```
`escalate_to_ceo` is Main PM / Board only; Cell PMs and cell members
use `escalate_up(task_id, reason)` instead.

## Git Task: Parent Branch Required

**Error**: "Parent task must be claimed first to create its branch"

**Cause**: Trying to claim a subtask when parent task hasn't been claimed yet

**Solution**: Parent task must be claimed first. Branches are auto-created hierarchically:
1. Parent is claimed → parent branch created
2. Then subtask can be claimed → subtask branch created (forked from parent)

## Task Has Incomplete Subtasks

**Error**: "Cannot complete task - subtasks not finished" with list of task IDs

**Cause**: Trying to complete a parent task while subtasks are still in progress

**Solution**: The error message includes which subtask IDs are blocking. Either:
1. Complete the blocking subtasks first (drive them through QA → docs →
   `complete(task_id, notes)`)
2. Cancel them if no longer needed (PM/CEO only — cancellation is not an
   agent verb; ask your PM)

## Invalid Task Status for Operation

**Error**: "Task is in [status], expected [expected_status]"

**Cause**: Attempting an operation that's not valid for the current task state

**Solution**: Check the task's current status and follow the correct workflow:
- QA operations require `awaiting_qa` status
- Documentation operations require `awaiting_documentation` status
- PM completion requires `awaiting_pm_review` status