claudetools/.claude/PERIODIC_SAVE_INVISIBLE_SETUP.md

Making Periodic Save Task Invisible

Problem

The periodic_save_check.py script shows a flashing console window every minute when run via Task Scheduler.

Solution

Use pythonw.exe instead of python.exe and configure the task to run hidden.

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Automatic Setup (Recommended)

Simply re-run the setup script to recreate the task with invisible settings:

# Run from PowerShell in D:\ClaudeTools
.\.claude\hooks\setup_periodic_save.ps1

This will:

1. Remove the old task
2. Create a new task using pythonw.exe (no console window)
3. Set the task to run hidden
4. Use S4U logon type (background, no interactive window)

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Manual Update (If Automatic Doesn't Work)

Option 1: Via PowerShell

# Get the task
$TaskName = "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save"
$Task = Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName $TaskName

# Find pythonw.exe path
$PythonExe = (Get-Command python).Source
$PythonDir = Split-Path $PythonExe -Parent
$PythonwPath = Join-Path $PythonDir "pythonw.exe"

# Update the action to use pythonw.exe
$NewAction = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute $PythonwPath `
    -Argument "D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\hooks\periodic_save_check.py" `
    -WorkingDirectory "D:\ClaudeTools"

# Update settings to be hidden
$NewSettings = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet `
    -AllowStartIfOnBatteries `
    -DontStopIfGoingOnBatteries `
    -StartWhenAvailable `
    -ExecutionTimeLimit (New-TimeSpan -Minutes 5) `
    -Hidden

# Update principal to run in background (S4U = Service-For-User)
$NewPrincipal = New-ScheduledTaskPrincipal -UserId "$env:USERDOMAIN\$env:USERNAME" -LogonType S4U

# Update the task
Set-ScheduledTask -TaskName $TaskName `
    -Action $NewAction `
    -Settings $NewSettings `
    -Principal $NewPrincipal

Option 2: Via Task Scheduler GUI

1. Open Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc)
2. Find "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save" in Task Scheduler Library
3. Right-click → Properties

Actions Tab:

• Click "Edit"
• Change Program/script from python.exe to pythonw.exe
• Keep Arguments: D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\hooks\periodic_save_check.py
• Click OK

General Tab:

• Check "Hidden" checkbox
• Under "Configure for:" select "Windows 10" (or your OS version)

Settings Tab:

• Ensure "Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed" is checked
• Ensure "Stop the task if it runs longer than:" is set to 5 minutes

4. Click OK to save

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Verification

Check that the task is configured correctly:

# View task settings
$TaskName = "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save"
Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName $TaskName | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Settings

# Should show:
# Hidden: True

# View task action
Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName $TaskName | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Actions

# Should show:
# Execute: ...pythonw.exe  (NOT python.exe)

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Key Changes Made

1. pythonw.exe vs python.exe

• python.exe - Console application (shows command window)
• pythonw.exe - Windowless application (no console, runs silently)

2. Task Settings

• Added -Hidden flag to task settings
• Changed LogonType from Interactive to S4U (Service-For-User)
• S4U runs tasks in the background without requiring an interactive session

3. Updated Output

The setup script now displays:

• Confirmation that pythonw.exe is being used
• Instructions to verify the task is hidden

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Troubleshooting

Script still shows window:

• Verify pythonw.exe is being used: Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save" | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Actions
• Check Hidden setting: Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save" | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Settings
• Ensure LogonType is S4U: Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save" | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Principal

pythonw.exe not found:

• Should be in same directory as python.exe
• Check: Get-Command python | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Source
• Then verify pythonw.exe exists in that directory
• If missing, reinstall Python

Task not running:

• Check logs: Get-Content D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\periodic-save.log -Tail 20
• Check task history in Task Scheduler GUI
• Verify the task is enabled: Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save"

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Testing

After updating, wait 1 minute and check the logs:

# View recent log entries
Get-Content D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\periodic-save.log -Tail 20

# Should see entries without any console window appearing

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Updated: 2026-01-17 Script Location: D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\hooks\setup_periodic_save.ps1