TaskDev

TaskDev is a VS Code and Windsurf extension for running local dev tasks, viewing logs, and sharing task control with AI coding agents through MCP.

Use it for the commands you normally keep open in terminals:

• API servers
• frontend dev servers
• workers
• tunnels
• build watchers
• test watchers

TaskDev uses one taskdev.json file. The editor sidebar and the MCP server use the same tasks, state, and logs. This means developers and agents can start, stop, restart, and inspect the same local processes.

Why It Exists

AI coding agents are more useful when they can see real logs. They are also more useful when they can start and stop the same dev tasks as you.

TaskDev gives Codex, Claude Code, Windsurf Cascade, and other MCP clients a small local tool for this.

TaskDev is not a cloud service, CI runner, or project management app. It is a local dev task runner and process panel for your editor.

Search terms: VS Code extension, Windsurf extension, MCP server, Model Context Protocol, AI coding agents, Codex, Claude Code, Cascade, local dev tasks, task runner, process supervisor, dev server logs, API server, test watcher, taskdev.json.

Repository Layout

• extension/ - the VS Code/Windsurf extension package.
• extension/README.md - user setup, MCP tools, and safety notes.
• extension/examples/ - example taskdev.json files.
• extension/AGENT.md - guide for agents working on this source.
• scripts/package-vsix.cjs - builds a VSIX from extension/.
• taskdev.json - local tasks for this repo.
• .taskdev/, logs/, .mcp.json, .windsurf/ - local files. They are ignored by git and not packaged.

Commands

Run tests:

cd extension
npm test

Build the VSIX:

node scripts/package-vsix.cjs

The VSIX is written to versions/.

License

MIT License. Copyright (c) 2026 Tolbxela.

For setup and MCP usage, see extension/README.md.