# Inbox & Notifications

Stay on top of assignments, mentions, and task updates with a unified inbox.

import { Aside, Steps } from '@astrojs/starlight/components';

The Hypertask inbox is a single feed of everything that needs your attention — assignments, mentions, comments, and status changes. Instead of checking multiple boards and projects, open your inbox and see what's new.

## How it works

Every action that involves you generates a notification in your inbox. Notifications stay in your inbox until you explicitly archive them, so nothing slips through the cracks.

<Steps>
1. **Receive** — a notification appears when something relevant happens.
2. **Review** — open the notification to see the task and context.
3. **Act** — respond, update the task, or take whatever action is needed.
4. **Archive** — mark the notification as handled to clear it from your inbox.
</Steps>

## Notification types

| Type | Triggered when... |
|------|-------------------|
| **Assigned** | You are assigned to a task |
| **Comment** | Someone comments on a task you follow |
| **Mentioned** | Someone @mentions you in a comment or description |
| **Invited** | You are invited to a project |
| **Reacted** | Someone reacts to your comment or task |
| **TaskArchived** | A task you follow is archived |
| **TaskMoved** | A task you follow is moved to a different section |
| **TaskDueDate** | A due date is set or changed on a task you follow |
| **TaskOverdue** | A task you're assigned to is past its due date |
| **TaskReminder** | A scheduled reminder fires for a task |
| **TaskUpdateDescription** | The description of a task you follow is edited |
| **AddedToFollowerInTask** | You are added as a follower on a task |
| **TaskMovedToInbox** | A task is explicitly sent to your inbox |

## AI Triage

The **AI Triage** button in your inbox lets you automatically categorize and prioritize incoming notifications. Click it to have the AI analyze your unread notifications, suggest actions, and help you focus on what matters most — without manually reading through every item.

## Archiving

Archiving a notification removes it from your active inbox without deleting it. Think of it as marking an email as "done" — you've seen it, handled it, and don't need it front and center anymore.

You can archive notifications one at a time or in bulk. Archived notifications can still be accessed if you need to refer back to them.

## AI agent workflow

The inbox is particularly useful for AI agents working through Hypertask via MCP. A typical agent loop looks like this:

<Steps>
1. **Check inbox** — call `hypertask_inbox_list` to see pending notifications.
2. **Pick a task** — select the highest-priority item.
3. **Do the work** — complete the task using whatever tools are available.
4. **Comment** — use `hypertask_add_comment_to_task` to document what was done.
5. **Move** — use `hypertask_section` to move the task to "Review" or "Done".
6. **Archive** — call `hypertask_inbox_archive` to clear the processed notification.
7. **Repeat** — go back to step 1.
</Steps>

<Aside type="tip">
AI agents that follow this inbox-driven workflow integrate naturally with human team members. Humans assign work and review results; agents pick up tasks, execute, and report back — all through the same inbox and board system.
</Aside>