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Bonus Subtasks

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tempus2016 edited this page May 4, 2026 · 1 revision

Bonus Subtasks are optional extra-credit tasks embedded within a parent chore. They let children earn additional points by going above and beyond the base chore.

How It Works

Child completes parent chore → Bonus subtasks unlock → Child completes subtask → Extra points awarded

A "Clean Bedroom" chore worth 10 points might have bonus subtasks like "Organise bookshelf (+5)" and "Vacuum under bed (+5)". The child earns the base 10 for cleaning, plus up to 10 more if they tackle the extras.

Configuring Bonus Subtasks

Bonus subtasks are configured as part of a chore's settings. Each subtask has:

Field Required Default Description
Name Yes — Subtask display name
Points No 5 Points awarded on completion
Description No "" Optional details

Subtasks are stored as a list on the chore object (bonus_subtasks). Each subtask gets an auto-generated unique ID.

Adding Subtasks

  1. Edit a chore via the config flow or admin panel
  2. In the bonus subtasks section, add one or more subtasks
  3. Save the chore

Completion Flow

  1. Parent chore must be completed first — bonus subtasks are locked until the parent chore is ticked off by the same child on the same day
  2. Child completes a subtask — the subtask appears as completable on the child card after the parent chore is done
  3. Approval follows the parent chore's setting — if the parent requires approval, the subtask completion is also pending until approved
  4. Points are separate — subtask points are awarded independently from the parent chore's points

Approval Display

When a bonus subtask is pending approval, it appears in the approvals card with the format:

Clean Bedroom › Organise Bookshelf — +5 Stars

Streak Behaviour

Bonus subtask completions do not count toward streak tracking. Only the parent chore completion affects streaks.

Service

taskmate.complete_bonus_subtask

Complete a bonus subtask for a child.

Field Required Description
chore_id Yes ID of the parent chore
bonus_subtask_id Yes ID of the subtask
child_id Yes ID of the child 
service: taskmate.complete_bonus_subtask
data:
  chore_id: b3f9a12c
  bonus_subtask_id: sub_abc123
  child_id: a8c8376a

Errors:

  • Parent chore not completed today by this child
  • Subtask already completed today by this child
  • Invalid chore, subtask, or child ID

Sensor Attributes

Bonus subtask completions appear in todays_completions with:

Field Value
chore_name "Parent Chore › Subtask Name"
points Subtask points (not parent points)
bonus_subtask_id The subtask ID
timed_duration_seconds 0

The chore's bonus_subtasks array in the sensor attributes lists each subtask with id, name, points, and description.

Tips

  • Keep subtasks genuinely optional — they should reward extra effort, not become expected
  • Use lower point values than the parent chore — subtasks are bonuses, not the main reward
  • Good for teaching thoroughness — "Make Bed" base + "Arrange pillows neatly" bonus + "Tidy nightstand" bonus
  • Works with any chore type — specific days, recurring, one-shot, and timed chores can all have bonus subtasks

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