To configure a task on the canvas, double-click a task on the canvas to display information about that task in a panel on the right. Each Task panel contains a Data, Advanced, and Details tab.
Tasks from the canvas make calls to actions that perform specific and discrete activities to implement business logic. They take input arguments and return output variables. The inputs and outputs for the task are visible in the Edit dialog under the Incoming and Outgoing tabs of the dialog. In the event an error occurs, the task may return an error variable, which is visible under Error.
Task information is split between three tabs.
Avoid changing to another task’s input variable, which could create variable type mismatches and other errors.
Task queries are available in Platform 6.4+
Task queries let you extract a nested property from an upstream task’s output directly on an input field using dot or bracket notation syntax. It eliminates the need to add a standalone query task to the canvas for common data retrieval operations.
Task queries support data retrieval from objects and arrays. Filtering and manipulation are not supported. Use the query task for those operations.
To configure a query on an input field:
A missing key or index at the specified query routes the task to its error transition with a descriptive error message identifying the query as the cause and which inputs had a failed query. A null value at a valid query is a valid result and does not cause a failure.
Enabling task queries is optional. Tasks without configured queries behave identically to their pre-6.4 behavior.
For information about using inline queries in Operations Manager, see View query results
For manual tasks only, use Groups, located under the Advanced tab and in the Access Control dropdown, to restrict who is authorized to work the task by assigning one or more groups.
Configurable options in the task output are referenced below.
Task error variables are referenced below.
Variable masking hides sensitive data from operators who view workflows in Operations Manager. To enable masking, open the Task dialog and toggle Mask to On.
When you mask a variable, its value displays as asterisks (***) in operator-facing interfaces, preventing operators from viewing the actual data. The feature protects any view where operators can see workflow execution data, including Operations Manager views.
Masking is not a security or encryption feature. The system does not:
For secure secrets management, use dedicated solutions like HashiCorp Vault or CyberArk Central Credential Provider. If you need encrypted storage of credentials, API keys, or other sensitive data, implement a proper secrets management solution rather than relying on variable masking.
For JST tasks, you must mask all outgoing variables or none of them.
Adapter IDs can be found under the Advanced tab in the Task Options dropdown.
Cmd + C and Cmd + V can be used to copy and paste, respectively. Holding the Option key and dragging can also be used to duplicate a task.
To spread tasks out on the canvas for better viewing and management:
The 10 most recent tasks moved from the task palette to the canvas are stored under the Recent Tasks icon for quick access. Click the icon for Recent Tasks and a dropdown displays the 10 most recent tasks added to the canvas.
From the Recent Tasks dropdown, each task can be dragged and dropped onto the canvas to use again as needed. Copying, pasting, or duplicating tasks already on the canvas will not add them to the Recent Tasks dropdown. Any task displayed in the Recent Tasks dropdown can be removed by clicking the X to the right of the task.
From the Studio canvas, a task can be set up to allow an operator of a job to retry it. Two types of task retry are available: Automatic and Manual.
true.To specify the retry settings on the canvas:
Open the Task Details dialog and click the Advanced tab. Expand the Retry Task dropdown.
After running the workflow, you can manually retry a task by accessing the job in Operations Manager (Itential Platform > Operations Manager > Jobs) and clicking the Retry button in the Job Details panel, located in the vertical dots menu of the job. You will be presented with a Retry Task modal that contains a previous iteration of retry values. From this modal, you can provide new inputs on the retry. After entering the new inputs, click Continue Job.
Tasks on the canvas can be swapped without having to delete another task or the transition that connects to the task being swapped.
In the upper-left corner of the task panel overlay, click the Swap Task icon to open a simplified version of the task palette.
Locate the replacement task via the task filter, or scroll through the list of tasks. Click on the replacement task to put it in focus and enable the Confirm Swap button at the bottom of the panel.
Click Confirm Swap. The replacement task will appear in place of the original task on the canvas. Click Cancel Swap to revert back to the original task.
Any data under the Advanced tab of the original task will be retained in the swapped task.
If the swapped task contains similar variables to the original task, select the Retain Task Data checkbox to carry over any relevant data that is applicable. If the swapped task is a completely different type of task, the variables will not be carried over.
You can restrict when an automated task will run by specifying a schedule. This is also defined as setting the Run Window for a task, which means the task will not run (once it is time to run) if the current time falls outside the run window.
In an open automation, double-click an automated task to open the Edit task dialog. Click the Advanced tab and expand the Run Window dropdown.
Select an option from the Run Window Mode:
job, static, or any prior task in the current automation.