Managing Tasks with 'pueue' (with examples)

Pueue is a powerful command-line task management tool designed for handling long-running tasks that can be executed sequentially or in parallel. It’s especially useful for users who need to handle multiple scripts or commands efficiently. By managing tasks using pueue, users can easily control the flow of processes, ensuring that no system resources are overstressed while maintaining efficient task execution.

Use case 1: Show general help and available subcommands

Code:

pueue --help

Motivation:

Understanding how to use a command-line tool effectively begins with accessing its help documentation. The --help flag is crucial as it provides a comprehensive overview of what the tool is capable of, including a list of all available subcommands and options. For users new to pueue or those needing a quick reminder of its capabilities, this option is indispensable.

Explanation:

• pueue: This is the command-line utility we’re invoking, aimed at managing and scheduling tasks.

• --help: This flag directs pueue to display general help information. It provides an overview of the command’s features, available subcommands, and usage patterns to help users understand how they can interact with the tool.

Example output:

pueue tasks manager

USAGE:
    pueue [FLAGS] [OPTIONS] <SUBCOMMAND>

FLAGS:
    -h, --help       Prints help information

OPTIONS:
    -c, --config     Specify a custom config file

SUBCOMMANDS:
    add              Add a task
    status           Show current tasks status
    start            Start specific or all tasks
    ...              

Use case 2: Execute a pueue subcommand

Code:

pueue status

Motivation:

Running a subcommand such as status within pueue is essential for users who want to keep track of all tasks currently being managed. This is handy for users who need to ensure tasks are progressing as expected or troubleshoot any issues with stuck or failed tasks.

Explanation:

• pueue: Calls the pueue command-line tool to manage tasks.

• status: This subcommand instructs pueue to display the current state of all tasks, showing whether they are running, paused, or completed.

Example output:

Status: running
Tasks:
  1. (running) "sleep 60"
  2. (queued) "echo 'Hello World'"
  3. (paused) "update-system"

Use case 3: Check the version of pueue

Code:

pueue --version

Motivation:

Checking the version of a command-line tool is a common task when troubleshooting or ensuring compatibility with various scripts and systems. Knowing the current version of pueue helps users ensure they are using the latest features and have patched any known vulnerabilities or bugs.

Explanation:

• pueue: Indicates the task management utility being invoked.

• --version: This flag asks the utility to print the version number, giving users quick insight into which iteration of the tool they are using.

Example output:

Pueue 1.0.3

Conclusion

Understanding and utilizing pueue’s functionalities can greatly enhance task management on the command line. By using the --help option, users can familiarize themselves with the command’s capabilities and subcommands. The status subcommand helps users monitor and manage ongoing tasks efficiently, while the --version flag ensures that users are always aware of the current version they are working with. By mastering these basic use cases, users can leverage pueue’s power to optimize their workflows effectively.