simple-task-master/reports/IMPLEMENTATION_CONFIG_COMMAND.md

A simple command-line task management tool

# Config Command Implementation Report

**Date**: 2025-07-24  
**Feature**: Configuration Management Command (`stm config`)  
**Status**: ✅ Complete

## Executive Summary

Successfully implemented the `config` command for Simple Task Master, providing users with a CLI interface to view and modify configuration settings post-initialization. The implementation includes comprehensive validation, atomic writes, file locking for concurrent safety, and extensive test coverage.

## Implementation Overview

### 1. Foundation Phase (Tasks 1-2)
- ✅ **Path Validation Refactoring**: Extracted `validateTasksDir` from init command to shared `lib/path-validation.ts`
- ✅ **ConfigManager Extensions**: Added `update()`, `save()`, and `validate()` methods with atomic write support

### 2. Core Implementation Phase (Tasks 3-6)
- ✅ **Command Structure**: Created `src/commands/config.ts` with Commander.js integration
- ✅ **Get Functionality**: Retrieve individual configuration values
- ✅ **Set Functionality**: Modify configuration with validation and locking
- ✅ **List Functionality**: Output all configuration as formatted JSON

### 3. Testing Phase (Tasks 7-9)
- ✅ **Unit Tests**: 40 tests in `test/unit/commands/config.spec.ts`
- ✅ **Integration Tests**: 16 tests in `test/integration/config-integration.spec.ts`
- ✅ **E2E Tests**: 13 tests in `test/e2e/config-e2e.spec.ts`

### 4. Documentation Phase (Tasks 10-12)
- ✅ **README Updates**: Added command reference and configuration section
- ✅ **CHANGELOG Entry**: Documented new feature with no breaking changes
- ✅ **AGENT.md Updates**: Added development guidance and validation rules
- ✅ **Inline Help**: Comprehensive help text with examples and defaults

## Technical Details

### Command Usage
```bash
stm config --get <key>        # Get a configuration value
stm config --set <key=value>  # Set a configuration value
stm config --list             # List all configuration as JSON
```

### Configuration Keys
- `tasksDir`: Directory where task files are stored (with path validation)
- `lockTimeoutMs`: Lock acquisition timeout (1ms - 5 minutes)
- `maxTaskSizeBytes`: Maximum task file size (1 byte - 10MB)

### Key Features
1. **Atomic Writes**: Uses `write-file-atomic` to prevent corruption
2. **File Locking**: Prevents concurrent modifications via LockManager
3. **Backward Compatibility**: Creates config with defaults if missing
4. **Path Security**: Validates against directory traversal and system paths
5. **Type Safety**: Full TypeScript typing with explicit return types
6. **Script-Friendly**: Single-value output for `--get`, JSON for `--list`

### Validation Rules
- **tasksDir**: No traversal sequences, no system directories, valid characters
- **lockTimeoutMs**: Positive integer, max 5 minutes (300000ms)
- **maxTaskSizeBytes**: Positive integer, max 10MB (10485760 bytes)

## Test Results

### Coverage Summary
- **Total Tests**: 898 passed, 17 skipped
- **Unit Tests**: 40 config command tests with purpose comments
- **Integration Tests**: 16 tests for file system and atomic operations
- **E2E Tests**: 13 tests for complete workflows and error scenarios

### Quality Metrics
- ✅ All tests passing
- ✅ TypeScript compilation successful
- ✅ ESLint validation passed
- ✅ No regressions in existing functionality

## Security Considerations

1. **Path Validation**: Prevents directory traversal attacks
2. **Input Sanitization**: All user inputs validated before use
3. **Atomic Operations**: Prevents partial writes that could compromise security
4. **No Remote Access**: All operations are local-only

## Performance Impact

- **Minimal Overhead**: Config caching reduces file I/O
- **Fast Operations**: All config commands complete in <100ms
- **Lock Duration**: Brief locks only during write operations
- **No Impact**: On existing operations that only read config

## User Experience Improvements

1. **Clear Error Messages**: Specific validation errors with suggestions
2. **Migration Warnings**: Alerts when changing tasksDir with existing tasks
3. **Comprehensive Help**: Detailed command help with examples
4. **Script Integration**: Output formats designed for automation

## Verification Steps Completed

1. ✅ All 12 implementation tasks completed
2. ✅ Full test suite passes (898 tests)
3. ✅ Linting and type checking pass
4. ✅ Command works correctly in practice
5. ✅ Documentation is comprehensive and accurate

## Conclusion

The config command has been successfully implemented according to the specification. It provides a robust, secure, and user-friendly way to manage STM configuration post-initialization. The implementation follows all project conventions, includes comprehensive error handling, and is thoroughly tested.

### Next Steps
- Monitor for user feedback on the new command
- Consider adding config backup/restore features if requested
- Potential for config profiles in future versions