background
Start, monitor, and stop long-running background processes (servers, watchers, builds). Returns immediately with a job ID you can poll for output.
Best use case
background is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Start, monitor, and stop long-running background processes (servers, watchers, builds). Returns immediately with a job ID you can poll for output.
Teams using background should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/background/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How background Compares
| Feature / Agent | background | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Start, monitor, and stop long-running background processes (servers, watchers, builds). Returns immediately with a job ID you can poll for output.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Background processes Use this skill when you need to run something long-running without blocking the conversation — a dev server, a file watcher, a long build. ## Workflow 1. `shell_background_start(command)` returns a `job_id` immediately. The command runs under shell approval (same rules as the regular `shell` tool). 2. `shell_background_status(job_id)` polls output and status. Pair with the `wait` tool to avoid burning iterations in a tight loop: - `wait(seconds=5)` then `shell_background_status(job_id)`, repeat. 3. `shell_background_stop(job_id)` terminates the process (SIGTERM, then SIGKILL after 2s). 4. `shell_background_list()` shows all jobs in the current conversation. ## Limits - Jobs auto-expire after 10 minutes. - stdout/stderr buffers hold the last 500 lines each. - Per-conversation job manager — jobs don't leak across conversations.
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