askcli: show task aliases in output (cd322ed1-882d-40e9-ab98-689acd5f161e)

17 files changed, 447 insertions, 113 deletions

diff --git a/docs/usage.md b/docs/usage.md
index 87a6778..3447cd3 100644
--- a/docs/usage.md
+++ b/docs/usage.md
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ cat SOMEFILE.txt | hexai --tps-simulation 20
 
 `ask` is a task management CLI for the current git project. It auto-scopes to `project:<repo> +agent` so all operations are confined to the current project.
 
-`ask` never exposes numeric task IDs — it uses UUIDs for all task references. Output is machine-friendly: UUID-only tables, suppressed decorative text, and structured formats.
+`ask` never exposes Taskwarrior numeric task IDs. Human-facing output uses stable local alias IDs where practical, while `ask info` shows both the alias ID and the UUID. Commands that accept a task selector support either the alias ID or the UUID.
 
 `ask` must be run inside a git repository so the project name can be derived from the repo root.
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ cat SOMEFILE.txt | hexai --tps-simulation 20
 | `ask add "description"` | Create a new task |
 | `ask add priority:H "description"` | Create task with priority |
 | `ask add +tag "description"` | Create task with tag |
-| `ask list` | List pending tasks only (UUID-only table) |
+| `ask list` | List pending tasks only (alias-ID table) |
 | `ask all` | List all tasks including completed/deleted |
 | `ask list +READY` | List only ready tasks |
 | `ask list +BLOCKED` | List blocked tasks |
@@ -146,21 +146,21 @@ cat SOMEFILE.txt | hexai --tps-simulation 20
 | `ask list started` | List started tasks |
 | `ask list limit:N` | Limit results |
 | `ask list sort:priority-,urgency-` | Sort by priority then urgency |
-| `ask info [uuid]` | Show task details, or the current started task if UUID is omitted |
-| `ask annotate <uuid> "note"` | Add annotation |
-| `ask start <uuid>` | Start working on a task |
-| `ask stop <uuid>` | Stop work on a task |
-| `ask done <uuid>` | Mark task complete |
-| `ask priority <uuid> H\|M\|L` | Set priority |
-| `ask tag <uuid> +tag` | Add tag |
-| `ask tag <uuid> -tag` | Remove tag |
-| `ask dep add <uuid> <dep-uuid>` | Add dependency |
-| `ask dep rm <uuid> <dep-uuid>` | Remove dependency |
-| `ask dep list <uuid>` | List dependencies |
+| `ask info [id\|uuid]` | Show task details, or the current started task if no selector is provided |
+| `ask annotate <id\|uuid> "note"` | Add annotation |
+| `ask start <id\|uuid>` | Start working on a task |
+| `ask stop <id\|uuid>` | Stop work on a task |
+| `ask done <id\|uuid>` | Mark task complete |
+| `ask priority <id\|uuid> H\|M\|L` | Set priority |
+| `ask tag <id\|uuid> +tag` | Add tag |
+| `ask tag <id\|uuid> -tag` | Remove tag |
+| `ask dep add <id\|uuid> <dep-id\|dep-uuid>` | Add dependency |
+| `ask dep rm <id\|uuid> <dep-id\|dep-uuid>` | Remove dependency |
+| `ask dep list <id\|uuid>` | List dependencies |
 | `ask urgency` | List tasks by urgency |
-| `ask modify <uuid> <args...>` | General-purpose modify |
-| `ask denotate <uuid> "text"` | Remove annotation |
-| `ask delete <uuid>` | Delete a task |
+| `ask modify <id\|uuid> <args...>` | General-purpose modify |
+| `ask denotate <id\|uuid> "text"` | Remove annotation |
+| `ask delete <id\|uuid>` | Delete a task |
 
 ### Examples
 
@@ -171,11 +171,14 @@ ask add priority:H "Implement new feature"
 # List tasks
 ask list +READY limit:5
 
+# Show alias and UUID for a task
+ask info 0
+
 # Start working
-ask start 9a3cfcb4-742e-4a38-ac91-e9b36594bff0
+ask start 0
 
 # Done
-ask done 9a3cfcb4-742e-4a38-ac91-e9b36594bff0
+ask done 0
 ```
 
 ## Hexai Action (TUI)
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_delete.go b/internal/askcli/command_delete.go
index 64bcdfc..24753d5 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_delete.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_delete.go
@@ -21,6 +21,6 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleDelete(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Re
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_delete_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_delete_test.go
index ff3f435..7d049c6 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_delete_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_delete_test.go
@@ -11,6 +11,23 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestHandleDelete_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "test-uuid-123", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[0] == "uuid:test-uuid-123" && args[1] == "export" {
 			io.WriteString(stdout, `[{"uuid":"test-uuid-123","description":"Task","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":0,"depends":[]}]`)
@@ -26,8 +43,8 @@ func TestHandleDelete_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("delete returned error: %v", err)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid-123") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + uuid", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok 0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid-123") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + alias only", stdout.String())
 	}
 	if stderr.Len() > 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("stderr should be empty, got %q", stderr.String())
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_dep.go b/internal/askcli/command_dep.go
index 403afee..0508b39 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_dep.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_dep.go
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleDepAddRm(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, s
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -75,7 +75,16 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleDepList(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, st
 	if len(task.Depends) == 0 {
 		io.WriteString(stdout, "no dependencies\n")
 	} else {
-		io.WriteString(stdout, strings.Join(task.Depends, "\n")+"\n")
+		aliases, err := ensureTaskAliasesForUUIDs(task.Depends)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "error: failed to load task aliases: %v\n", err)
+			return 1, nil
+		}
+		ids := make([]string, 0, len(task.Depends))
+		for _, uuid := range task.Depends {
+			ids = append(ids, displayTaskAlias(uuid, aliases))
+		}
+		io.WriteString(stdout, strings.Join(ids, "\n")+"\n")
 	}
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_dep_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_dep_test.go
index 8045df3..408ef86 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_dep_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_dep_test.go
@@ -11,6 +11,24 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestHandleDep_AddSuccess(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 2,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "uuid-2", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	var capturedArgs []string
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[1] == "export" {
@@ -30,8 +48,8 @@ func TestHandleDep_AddSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("dep add code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-1") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + uuid", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok 0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-1") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + alias only", stdout.String())
 	}
 	// Verify uuid:<uuid> is the filter (not a modification argument).
 	if len(capturedArgs) < 3 || capturedArgs[0] != "uuid:uuid-1" || capturedArgs[1] != "modify" {
@@ -60,6 +78,25 @@ func TestHandleDep_RmSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleDep_ListSuccess(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 3,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "dep-1", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "dep-2", Alias: "2", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-1","description":"Task","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":10,"depends":["dep-1","dep-2"]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		io.WriteString(stdout, jsonData)
@@ -71,8 +108,8 @@ func TestHandleDep_ListSuccess(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("dep list code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
 	output := stdout.String()
-	if !strings.Contains(output, "dep-1") || !strings.Contains(output, "dep-2") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want deps", output)
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "1") || !strings.Contains(output, "2") || strings.Contains(output, "dep-1") || strings.Contains(output, "dep-2") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want alias deps only", output)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_info_add.go b/internal/askcli/command_info_add.go
index 030cf62..5332e71 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_info_add.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_info_add.go
@@ -24,7 +24,13 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleInfo(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, stder
 		stdout.Write(data)
 		io.WriteString(stdout, "\n")
 	} else {
-		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskInfo(tasks[0]))
+		allUUIDs := append([]string{tasks[0].UUID}, tasks[0].Depends...)
+		aliases, err := ensureTaskAliasesForUUIDs(allUUIDs)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "error: failed to load task aliases: %v\n", err)
+			return 1, nil
+		}
+		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskInfo(tasks[0], displayTaskAlias(tasks[0].UUID, aliases), aliases))
 	}
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_info_add_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_info_add_test.go
index 46996f7..a7a7bc2 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_info_add_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_info_add_test.go
@@ -11,6 +11,24 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestHandleInfo_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 2,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "dep-1", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "test-uuid", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"test-uuid","description":"Test task","status":"pending","priority":"H","tags":["cli","agent"],"urgency":15.0,"depends":["dep-1"],"annotations":[{"description":"Note 1","entry":"2026-03-22T10:00:00Z"}]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		// args[0] is "uuid:<uuid>" (the filter); emit data for any export call
@@ -25,6 +43,9 @@ func TestHandleInfo_Success(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("info code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
 	output := stdout.String()
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "ID:          0") {
+		t.Fatalf("output missing alias ID: %s", output)
+	}
 	if !strings.Contains(output, "test-uuid") {
 		t.Fatalf("output missing UUID: %s", output)
 	}
@@ -34,6 +55,9 @@ func TestHandleInfo_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if !strings.Contains(output, "Started:     no") {
 		t.Fatalf("output missing explicit started state: %s", output)
 	}
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "Depends:     1 (dep-1)") {
+		t.Fatalf("output missing formatted dependency alias: %s", output)
+	}
 }
 
 func TestHandleInfo_AliasSelector(t *testing.T) {
@@ -67,8 +91,8 @@ func TestHandleInfo_AliasSelector(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("info code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want resolved UUID", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ID:          0") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "UUID:        test-uuid") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want alias and UUID", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -84,6 +108,16 @@ func TestHandleInfo_NumericID(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleInfo_MissingUUID(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"started-uuid","description":"Started task","status":"pending","priority":"M","start":"2026-03-26T10:00:00Z","urgency":5.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[0] == "started" && args[1] == "export" {
@@ -96,8 +130,8 @@ func TestHandleInfo_MissingUUID(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("info code = %d, want 0 for implicit started task", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "started-uuid") {
-		t.Fatalf("output missing started task UUID: %s", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ID:          0") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "UUID:        started-uuid") {
+		t.Fatalf("output missing alias and started task UUID: %s", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_list.go b/internal/askcli/command_list.go
index ef8c22f..c95707e 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_list.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_list.go
@@ -61,7 +61,12 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleListWithFilters(ctx context.Context, initialFilters, e
 		stdout.Write(data)
 		io.WriteString(stdout, "\n")
 	} else {
-		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskList(tasks))
+		aliases, err := ensureTaskAliases(tasks)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "error: failed to load task aliases: %v\n", err)
+			return 1, nil
+		}
+		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskList(tasks, aliases))
 	}
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_list_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_list_test.go
index dade889..83dc1b8 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_list_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_list_test.go
@@ -4,11 +4,31 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"io"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 )
 
 func TestHandleList_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 2,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "uuid-2", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-1","description":"Task 1","status":"pending","priority":"H","tags":["cli"],"start":"2026-03-26T10:00:00Z","urgency":15.0,"depends":[]},{"uuid":"uuid-2","description":"Task 2","status":"completed","priority":"M","tags":["agent"],"urgency":10.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		for _, arg := range args {
@@ -25,8 +45,11 @@ func TestHandleList_Success(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("list code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
 	output := stdout.String()
-	if !strings.Contains(output, "uuid-1") || !strings.Contains(output, "uuid-2") {
-		t.Fatalf("output missing UUIDs: %s", output)
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "ID") || strings.Contains(output, "UUID") {
+		t.Fatalf("output should use ID column: %s", output)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(output, "0") || !strings.Contains(output, "1") || strings.Contains(output, "uuid-1") || strings.Contains(output, "uuid-2") {
+		t.Fatalf("output missing aliases or leaking UUIDs: %s", output)
 	}
 	if !strings.Contains(output, "Started") || !strings.Contains(output, "yes") || !strings.Contains(output, "no") {
 		t.Fatalf("output missing explicit started state: %s", output)
@@ -34,6 +57,24 @@ func TestHandleList_Success(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleList_SortedByPriority(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 2,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "uuid-2", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-2","description":"Task 2","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":10.0,"depends":[]},{"uuid":"uuid-1","description":"Task 1","status":"pending","priority":"H","tags":[],"urgency":5.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		for _, arg := range args {
@@ -49,8 +90,8 @@ func TestHandleList_SortedByPriority(t *testing.T) {
 	output := stdout.String()
 	lines := strings.Split(strings.TrimSpace(output), "\n")
 	taskLine1 := lines[2]
-	if !strings.Contains(taskLine1, "uuid-1") {
-		t.Fatalf("first task should be H priority (uuid-1), got: %s", taskLine1)
+	if !strings.Contains(taskLine1, "0") || strings.Contains(taskLine1, "uuid-1") {
+		t.Fatalf("first task should be H priority alias 0, got: %s", taskLine1)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -72,6 +113,23 @@ func TestHandleList_EmptyList(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleAll_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-1","description":"Done task","status":"completed","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":0.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		for _, arg := range args {
@@ -87,12 +145,29 @@ func TestHandleAll_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("all code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-1") {
-		t.Fatalf("output missing uuid-1: %s", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-1") {
+		t.Fatalf("output should show alias only: %s", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
 func TestHandleReady_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-ready", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-ready","description":"Ready task","status":"pending","priority":"H","tags":["READY"],"urgency":20.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		for _, arg := range args {
@@ -108,8 +183,8 @@ func TestHandleReady_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("ready code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-ready") {
-		t.Fatalf("output missing uuid-ready: %s", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "uuid-ready") {
+		t.Fatalf("output should show alias only: %s", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_urgency.go b/internal/askcli/command_urgency.go
index a228f27..0a6bf65 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_urgency.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_urgency.go
@@ -32,7 +32,12 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleUrgency(ctx context.Context, stdout, stderr io.Writer)
 		stdout.Write(data)
 		io.WriteString(stdout, "\n")
 	} else {
-		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskList(tasks))
+		aliases, err := ensureTaskAliases(tasks)
+		if err != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(stderr, "error: failed to load task aliases: %v\n", err)
+			return 1, nil
+		}
+		io.WriteString(stdout, FormatTaskList(tasks, aliases))
 	}
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_urgency_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_urgency_test.go
index 45ec5f5..dd6262d 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_urgency_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_urgency_test.go
@@ -4,11 +4,31 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"io"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 )
 
 func TestHandleUrgency_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 2,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "uuid-1", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+			{UUID: "uuid-2", Alias: "1", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	jsonData := `[{"uuid":"uuid-2","description":"Task 2","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":["agent"],"urgency":10.0,"depends":[]},{"uuid":"uuid-1","description":"Task 1","status":"pending","priority":"H","tags":["cli"],"urgency":15.0,"depends":[]}]`
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		io.WriteString(stdout, jsonData)
@@ -26,11 +46,11 @@ func TestHandleUrgency_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	taskLine1 := lines[2]
 	taskLine2 := lines[3]
-	if !strings.Contains(taskLine1, "uuid-1") {
-		t.Fatalf("first task line should contain uuid-1 (urgency 15.0), got: %s", taskLine1)
+	if !strings.Contains(taskLine1, "0") || strings.Contains(taskLine1, "uuid-1") {
+		t.Fatalf("first task line should contain alias 0 (urgency 15.0), got: %s", taskLine1)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(taskLine2, "uuid-2") {
-		t.Fatalf("second task line should contain uuid-2 (urgency 10.0), got: %s", taskLine2)
+	if !strings.Contains(taskLine2, "1") || strings.Contains(taskLine2, "uuid-2") {
+		t.Fatalf("second task line should contain alias 1 (urgency 10.0), got: %s", taskLine2)
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_write.go b/internal/askcli/command_write.go
index afa1475..643f74e 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_write.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_write.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleDenotate(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, s
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleModify(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, std
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleAnnotate(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, s
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleStart(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, stde
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleStop(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, stder
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleDone(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, stder
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handlePriority(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, s
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
 
@@ -162,6 +162,6 @@ func (d Dispatcher) handleTag(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdout, stderr
 	if code != 0 {
 		return code, err
 	}
-	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(resolved.UUID))
+	io.WriteString(stdout, FormatSuccess(displayResolvedTaskID(resolved)))
 	return 0, nil
 }
diff --git a/internal/askcli/command_write_test.go b/internal/askcli/command_write_test.go
index 2ed5fc9..31ea25a 100644
--- a/internal/askcli/command_write_test.go
+++ b/internal/askcli/command_write_test.go
@@ -49,6 +49,23 @@ func TestHandleStart_AliasSelector(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleDenotate_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "test-uuid", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[0] == "uuid:test-uuid" && args[1] == "export" {
 			io.WriteString(stdout, `[{"uuid":"test-uuid","description":"Task","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":0,"depends":[]}]`)
@@ -64,8 +81,8 @@ func TestHandleDenotate_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("denotate returned error: %v", err)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + uuid", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok 0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + alias only", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -94,6 +111,23 @@ func TestHandleDenotate_MissingArgs(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleModify_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "test-uuid", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[0] == "uuid:test-uuid" && args[1] == "export" {
 			io.WriteString(stdout, `[{"uuid":"test-uuid","description":"Task","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":0,"depends":[]}]`)
@@ -106,8 +140,8 @@ func TestHandleModify_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("modify code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + uuid", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok 0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + alias only", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -124,6 +158,23 @@ func TestHandleModify_NumericID(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleAnnotate_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "test-uuid", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []string, stdin io.Reader, stdout, stderr io.Writer) (int, error) {
 		if len(args) == 2 && args[0] == "uuid:test-uuid" && args[1] == "export" {
 			io.WriteString(stdout, `[{"uuid":"test-uuid","description":"Task","status":"pending","priority":"M","tags":[],"urgency":0,"depends":[]}]`)
@@ -136,8 +187,8 @@ func TestHandleAnnotate_Success(t *testing.T) {
 	if code != 0 {
 		t.Fatalf("annotate code = %d, want 0", code)
 	}
-	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok") || !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
-		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + uuid", stdout.String())
+	if !strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "ok 0") || strings.Contains(stdout.String(), "test-uuid") {
+		t.Fatalf("stdout = %q, want ok + alias only", stdout.String())
 	}
 }
 
@@ -154,6 +205,23 @@ func TestHandleAnnotate_MissingArgs(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestHandleStart_Success(t *testing.T) {
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	oldRoot := taskAliasCacheRoot
+	oldNow := nowTaskAliasCache
+	taskAliasCacheRoot = func() (string, error) { return filepath.Join(dir, "hexai"), nil }
+	nowTaskAliasCache = func() time.Time { return time.Date(2026, 3, 26, 12, 0, 0, 0, time.UTC) }
+	defer func() {
+		taskAliasCacheRoot = oldRoot
+		nowTaskAliasCache = oldNow
+	}()
+
+	writeTaskAliasCacheForTest(t, taskAliasCache{
+		NextID: 1,
+		Entries: []taskAliasCacheEntry{
+			{UUID: "test-uuid", Alias: "0", CreatedAt: nowTaskAliasCache()},
+		},
+	})
+
 	d := NewDispatcher(&spyRunner{runFn: func(ctx context.Context, args []stri