claudetools/INVISIBLE_PERIODIC_SAVE_SUMMARY.md

# Periodic Save Task - Invisible Mode Setup

## Problem Solved
The `periodic_save_check.py` Task Scheduler task was showing a flashing console window every minute. This has been fixed by configuring the task to run completely invisibly.

---

## What Changed

### 1. Updated Setup Script
**File:** `D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\hooks\setup_periodic_save.ps1`

**Changes:**
- Uses `pythonw.exe` instead of `python.exe` (no console window)
- Added `-Hidden` flag to task settings
- Changed LogonType from `Interactive` to `S4U` (Service-For-User = background)
- Added verification instructions in output

### 2. Created Update Script
**File:** `D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\hooks\update_to_invisible.ps1`

**Purpose:**
- Quick one-command update for existing tasks
- Preserves existing triggers and settings
- Validates pythonw.exe exists
- Shows verification output

### 3. Created Documentation
**File:** `D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\PERIODIC_SAVE_INVISIBLE_SETUP.md`

**Contents:**
- Automatic setup instructions
- Manual update procedures (PowerShell and GUI)
- Verification steps
- Troubleshooting guide

---

## How to Fix Your Current Task

### Option 1: Automatic (Recommended)

Run the update script:

```powershell
# From PowerShell in D:\ClaudeTools
.\.claude\hooks\update_to_invisible.ps1
```

This will:
- Find pythonw.exe automatically
- Update the task to use pythonw.exe
- Set the task to run hidden
- Verify all settings are correct

### Option 2: Recreate Task

Re-run the setup script (removes old task and creates new one):

```powershell
# From PowerShell in D:\ClaudeTools
.\.claude\hooks\setup_periodic_save.ps1
```

### Option 3: Manual (GUI)

1. Open Task Scheduler (Win + R → `taskschd.msc`)
2. Find "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save"
3. Right-click → Properties
4. **Actions tab:** Change `python.exe` to `pythonw.exe`
5. **General tab:** Check "Hidden" checkbox
6. Click OK

---

## Verification

After updating, verify the task is configured correctly:

```powershell
# Quick verification
Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save" |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty Actions |
    Select-Object Execute

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

# Check hidden setting
Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save" |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty Settings |
    Select-Object Hidden

# Should show: Hidden: True
```

---

## Technical Details

### pythonw.exe vs python.exe

| Executable | Console Window | Use Case |
|------------|---------------|----------|
| `python.exe` | Shows console | Interactive scripts, debugging |
| `pythonw.exe` | No console | Background tasks, GUI apps |

### Task Scheduler Settings

| Setting | Old Value | New Value | Purpose |
|---------|-----------|-----------|---------|
| Executable | python.exe | pythonw.exe | No console window |
| Hidden | False | True | Hide from task list |
| LogonType | Interactive | S4U | Run in background |

### What is S4U (Service-For-User)?

- Runs tasks in background session
- No interactive window
- Doesn't require user to be logged in
- Ideal for background automation

---

## Files Modified/Created

### Modified
- `D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\hooks\setup_periodic_save.ps1`
  - Lines 9-18: Auto-detect pythonw.exe path
  - Line 29: Use pythonw.exe instead of python.exe
  - Line 43: Added `-Hidden` flag
  - Line 46: Changed LogonType to S4U
  - Lines 59-64: Updated output messages

### Created
- `D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\hooks\update_to_invisible.ps1`
  - Quick update script for existing tasks

- `D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\PERIODIC_SAVE_INVISIBLE_SETUP.md`
  - Complete setup and troubleshooting guide

- `D:\ClaudeTools\INVISIBLE_PERIODIC_SAVE_SUMMARY.md`
  - This file - quick reference summary

---

## Testing

After updating, the task will run every minute but you should see:
- ✓ No console window flashing
- ✓ No visible task execution
- ✓ Logs still being written to `D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\periodic-save.log`

Check logs to verify it's working:

```powershell
Get-Content D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\periodic-save.log -Tail 20
```

You should see log entries appearing every minute (when Claude is active) without any visible window.

---

## Troubleshooting

### Still seeing console window?

**Check executable:**
```powershell
Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save" |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty Actions
```
- If shows `python.exe` - update didn't work, try manual update
- If shows `pythonw.exe` - should be invisible (check hidden setting)

**Check hidden setting:**
```powershell
Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save" |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty Settings |
    Select-Object Hidden
```
- Should show `Hidden: True`
- If False, run update script again

**Check LogonType:**
```powershell
Get-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save" |
    Select-Object -ExpandProperty Principal
```
- Should show `LogonType: S4U`
- If Interactive, run update script again

### pythonw.exe not found?

```powershell
# Check Python installation
Get-Command python | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Source

# Check if pythonw.exe exists in same directory
$PythonPath = (Get-Command python).Source
$PythonDir = Split-Path $PythonPath -Parent
Test-Path (Join-Path $PythonDir "pythonw.exe")
```

If False, reinstall Python. pythonw.exe should always come with Python on Windows.

---

## Current Status

**Task Name:** ClaudeTools - Periodic Context Save
**Frequency:** Every 1 minute
**Action:** Check activity, save context every 5 minutes of active work
**Visibility:** Hidden (no console window)
**Logs:** `D:\ClaudeTools\.claude\periodic-save.log`

---

**Last Updated:** 2026-01-17
**Updated Files:** 1 modified, 3 created