Switch from Herdr to Task Machine
Herdr's desktop app organizes coding-agent terminals on your machines. Task Machine gives each job a shared Task with a plan, review evidence and decisions in your Inbox.
Prefer the side-by-side comparison?Why people switch
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Reboots interrupt the work
Herdr keeps agents running when you close its window, but a machine reboot stops the programs. Panes return as shells, and Herdr does not restart agents or resume their work.
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Permissions need separate care
Core runs commands with your account's access and explicitly is not a sandbox or permission broker. Anyone connected to its API can run commands and change files with that access.
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Customizations need trust
Herdr's mods are trusted code rather than sandboxed extensions. Its README asks you to read the security and privacy guidance before installing someone else's mod.
What maps to what
Every answer links to its source and shows when we last checked it. The oldest check on this page was November 15, 2026.
| Area | In Herdr | In Task Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks |
In Herdr
Herdr suggests a space per repository and a tab per task. Its guide shows starting an agent in a worktree for an issue. |
In Task Machine
A person or an agent owns each Task. Its plan, discussion, decisions, runs and history stay on the same record, such as a bug fix passed from an agent to a human reviewer. |
| Delegation |
In Herdr
An agent can start helpers, give them work, wait and read their reports. Helpers belong to the starting agent and stop when it stops. |
In Task Machine
A Workflow defines repeatable steps, branches, human questions and approvals. A verifier can check a step's output against requirements and return failed work with feedback. |
| Attention |
In Herdr
The mobile Inbox sorts agents by needs you, done, working and idle. Opening an agent lets you answer in its real terminal. |
In Task Machine
Decisions arrive in your Inbox with context. Set governed actions to Ask first or Automatic, and put a Human approval step before a consequential action such as publishing. |
| Execution |
In Herdr
Agents run on your machines. You can add a server, virtual machine or cloud sandbox over SSH and see its agents in the same sidebar. |
In Task Machine
Run agents in Managed Cloud without installing anything, or connect a Local Worker for files, tools and accounts on a computer you control. Choose where each agent runs. |
| Code review |
In Herdr
The guide shows starting a reviewer on your branch. Its findings return to the parent agent, which summarizes them. |
In Task Machine
Internal code review checks completed changes against enabled repository rules. Rule discovery proposes rules screened against violating and valid examples, and you decide which to enable. |
| Models |
In Herdr
Templates save a command and a role. Model choices and agent options go in the command that starts your installed agent. |
In Task Machine
Auto chooses a model for each stage from the work, model capabilities, pricing and applicable budgets. You can select a fixed model on an agent instead. |
| Pricing |
In Herdr
Herdr's desktop app and herdr-core are free and open source. Its official mobile app is free too. Agents run on your machines. |
In Task Machine
Usage based, from $29 a month before tax. The whole payment becomes usage that your workspace shares, with no base fee. |
A fact we cannot find or cannot check is left out, and prices can change after the date shown. Task Machine publishes this comparison and is an interested party. Herdr is named only to identify it, and there is no relationship between the two companies. Has something changed? Tell us.
You may stay with Herdr if
You may stay with Herdr if you want a free native app for hands-on coding-agent terminals and an interface you can change through layouts and mods. Its mobile app lets you answer those terminals over SSH without a Herdr account. This guide covers the current desktop app and herdr-core. The older Herdr TUI uses its own server and does not share agents with them, as the app FAQ explains.
What you give up
Task Machine's docs do not describe an editable native terminal interface with JavaScript mods or a phone client that attaches to existing herdr-core terminals. Task Machine is not a host for your Claude Code or Codex programs. Its Local Worker runs tamacode, Task Machine's coding agent.
Moving means rewriting terminal prompts as work briefs, reconnecting repository access and testing the result under new review rules. A Local Worker still has the access of its operating-system account, so choosing it does not remove the need to contain local access. There is no trial.
How the switch works
- Keep your repositories, uncommitted changes, prompts and useful terminal output before stopping anything. Copy the role instructions from your Herdr templates and keep your layout and mod files. Check Herdr's export options for any other history you need. Treat core state as private because saved screens and terminal output may contain secrets.
- Create your workspace, connect the repository and add the provider Connector for issue and pull-request actions. Choose Managed Cloud or a Local Worker rather than trying to attach a running Herdr terminal.
- Turn one unfinished issue into a Task with its current branch, remaining work and acceptance requirements. Adapt the saved role instructions in the agent profile. Put repository delivery guidance in TAMA.md, following the repository instructions.
- Choose Supervised autonomy, review the plan and test a small change. If the job repeats, build a Workflow with an explicit approval before publishing, then set its schedule and timezone. Stop the corresponding old job before the replacement makes live changes.
Common questions
Can I import my running Herdr sessions?
Task Machine's docs do not describe importing herdr-core sessions. Keep your code and useful output, then describe the remaining work in a new Task. Do not treat a terminal transcript as a restored process.
What happens to my Herdr data?
Keep your own repositories and archive the prompts and files you need. Herdr documents templates as files and private local state. Check its export options before removing anything, and leave secrets out of the new Task brief.
How do the costs compare?
Herdr is free software that runs on your machines. Task Machine's pricing starts at $29 a month before tax for shared workspace usage, with no base fee and no trial. Compare the total cost of a representative job, including your existing models and machines. You keep 100% of your revenue, Task Machine takes no cut and never custodies your accounts.
Can I keep using Herdr for interactive coding?
Yes. Keep hands-on sessions separate from work assigned to Task Machine, and avoid having both change the same branch at once. Task Machine's repository access and review setup are separate from your terminal environment.