> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.opus.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Opus Human Task

> Pause your automation to collect information from a real person when you need human input to continue.

Sometimes your automation hits a point where it needs a real person to step in—maybe to fill in missing information or information that can only be reliably filled in by a person. That's what Opus Human Task is for. it pauses your process till the human completes their assigned task, and then the workflow proceeds as usual.

## When to Use It

| Situation           | Real-World Example                                                                              |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **AI needs help**   | The AI extracted most of the data, but needs a person to fill in a field it couldn't figure out |
| **Collecting info** | You need someone to enter data that isn't available anywhere else                               |

<Note>
  Need someone to just approve or reject something? Use [Human Review](/tasks/review/human-review) instead. Opus Human Task is for when you need people to perform a full-fledged task.
</Note>

## Setting It Up

### Basic Settings

| Setting                 | What It Means                                                                                 |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Input**               | Variables from earlier in the workflow that the person can see while completing the task      |
| **Task Guidance**       | Instructions explaining what the person needs to do                                           |
| **Deadline (In Hours)** | How long the person has to complete the task                                                  |
| **Output**              | Variables the workflow designer defines that the person must fill in when completing the task |

## How to Add an Opus Human Task

<Steps>
  <Step title="Drop it into your workflow">
    Drag an Opus Human Task from the sidebar into your workflow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add input variables">
    Connect variables from earlier steps that the person will need to see while completing the task.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write task guidance">
    Explain what the person needs to do. Be specific—the clearer your instructions, the better the results.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a deadline">
    Choose how many hours the person has to complete the task.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define output variables">
    Add the variables that the person must fill in when completing the task.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Tips for Better Results

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Write instructions people can actually follow">
    Don't assume people know the context. Tell them:

    * Why you need this information
    * Where they can find it
    * What format you expect (e.g., "Enter the date as MM/DD/YYYY")
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep it simple">
    The easier the task, the faster people complete it:

    * Only ask for what you actually need
    * Fill in fields automatically when you can
    * Keep instructions short but helpful
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Give people enough time">
    Be realistic about deadlines:

    * Remember people work in different time zones
    * Harder tasks need more time
    * Build in some buffer for busy days
    * Only use tight deadlines when it's truly urgent
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Test it yourself first">
    Before you turn it on for real:

    * Try completing the task yourself in preview mode
    * Make sure all the fields work right
    * Check that your instructions make sense
    * Verify the data goes where it should afterward
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Human Review" icon="clipboard-check" href="/tasks/review/human-review">
    For simple approve/reject decisions—no form needed.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Human Decision Agent" icon="code-branch" href="/tasks/agent/human-decision-agent">
    Let a person choose which path your workflow takes next.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Agentic Review" icon="robot" href="/tasks/review/agentic-review">
    Have AI do the reviewing instead of a person.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workflows" icon="diagram-project" href="/guides/workflows">
    Learn how all the pieces fit together.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>