TaskMan
A multiplayer micro-task game where players complete sorting, matching, and puzzle tasks to earn tokens in a distributed agent economy.
Screenshots
About
TaskMan is a web-based multiplayer game where players complete satisfying micro-tasks—sorting lists, matching colors, solving arithmetic, grouping items, defragmenting grids—to earn tokens. Those tokens can then be spent to offer tasks to other players, creating an emergent economy themed around distributed AI agents.
The interface deliberately mimics project management tools like JIRA, making the “work” feel familiar yet gamified.
Task Types
Five core task types, each with difficulty scaling from 1-5 stars:
- Sort List: Drag-and-drop items into the correct order
- Color Match: Dial in an RGB color within tolerance using sliders
- Arithmetic: Solve mathematical expressions
- Group Separation: Categorize items into the correct buckets
- Defragmentation: Swap grid cells until colors form contiguous regions
Economy
Tokens flow through the system in a positive-sum loop:
- Complete tasks to earn tokens
- Spend tokens to post tasks for others
- Composite tasks (bundled micro-tasks) award a 15% premium
Race condition protection ensures fair competition when multiple players target the same task.
Tech Stack
| Layer | Technology |
|---|---|
| Frontend | React 19, Vite, Tailwind CSS, TanStack Query, Zustand |
| Backend | Node.js, Express 5, TypeScript |
| Database | PostgreSQL with Prisma ORM |
| Auth | JWT + bcrypt |
| Drag-and-Drop | dnd-kit |
Architecture
- Atomic transactions for all token operations
- Task expiration with automatic cleanup
- HTTP polling (designed for WebSocket upgrade)
- Mobile-first responsive design