What is this?
Task is a fast, cross-platform build tool and task runner written in Go. It is inspired by Make but built for modern workflows, and it has collected over 16,000 GitHub stars.
How is it different from just using Make?
You define your commands in a Taskfile rather than a Makefile, and Task is a single Go binary, so the same task definitions work identically on every OS.
How do I install it and run my first task?
Install the task binary for your OS — installation methods are documented at taskfile.dev/installation — then describe your tasks in a Taskfile and run them from the terminal with the task command.
Does Task need any other tools or runtimes installed to work?
No, nothing else is required: Task is a compiled Go binary with no runtime of its own, and it simply invokes whatever tools your tasks call.
Is it only for Go projects?
No — Go is only the language Task itself is written in. It is a general task runner for any stack: you automate builds, tests and other repeat commands in one Taskfile.
Does it work on Windows too, or is it a Unix-only thing?
It is fully cross-platform — Windows, macOS and Linux are all supported, which is a key part of its pitch compared to Make.
Is the project actively maintained?
Yes — the repository runs GitHub Actions workflows for CI, regular releases and nightly builds, and with 16k+ stars it is an active, widely used project.
Is it free to use?
Yes — Task is MIT-licensed open source, so it is free for personal and commercial use.
Which topics is it in?
task-runner, task-automation, task, makefile, build-tool, workflow-automation, utility, devops, go, command-line-tool, free, terminal