Show recently visited tasks first in Ctrl+P picker

internal/db/dependencies.go

@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetBlockers(taskID int64) ([]*Task, error) {
 		       COALESCE(t.pr_url, ''), COALESCE(t.pr_number, 0),
 		       COALESCE(t.dangerous_mode, 0), COALESCE(t.pinned, 0), COALESCE(t.tags, ''), COALESCE(t.summary, ''),
 		       t.created_at, t.updated_at, t.started_at, t.completed_at,
-		       t.last_distilled_at
+		       t.last_distilled_at, t.last_accessed_at
 		FROM tasks t
 		JOIN task_dependencies d ON t.id = d.blocker_id
 		WHERE d.blocked_id = ?
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetBlockedBy(taskID int64) ([]*Task, error) {
 		       COALESCE(t.pr_url, ''), COALESCE(t.pr_number, 0),
 		       COALESCE(t.dangerous_mode, 0), COALESCE(t.pinned, 0), COALESCE(t.tags, ''), COALESCE(t.summary, ''),
 		       t.created_at, t.updated_at, t.started_at, t.completed_at,
-		       t.last_distilled_at
+		       t.last_distilled_at, t.last_accessed_at
 		FROM tasks t
 		JOIN task_dependencies d ON t.id = d.blocked_id
 		WHERE d.blocker_id = ?
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ func scanTaskRows(rows *sql.Rows) ([]*Task, error) {
 			&t.PRURL, &t.PRNumber,
 			&t.DangerousMode, &t.Pinned, &t.Tags, &t.Summary,
 			&t.CreatedAt, &t.UpdatedAt, &t.StartedAt, &t.CompletedAt,
-			&t.LastDistilledAt,
+			&t.LastDistilledAt, &t.LastAccessedAt,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scan task: %w", err)

internal/db/sqlite.go

@@ -242,6 +242,8 @@ func (db *DB) migrate() error {
 		`ALTER TABLE tasks ADD COLUMN shell_pane_id TEXT DEFAULT ''`,  // tmux pane ID for shell pane (e.g., "%1235")
 		// Auto-generated project context for caching exploration results
 		`ALTER TABLE projects ADD COLUMN context TEXT DEFAULT ''`, // Auto-generated project context (codebase summary, patterns, etc.)
+		// Last accessed timestamp for tracking recently visited tasks in command palette
+		`ALTER TABLE tasks ADD COLUMN last_accessed_at DATETIME`, // When task was last accessed/opened in UI
 	}
 
 	for _, m := range alterMigrations {

internal/db/tasks.go

@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ type Task struct {
 	CompletedAt     *LocalTime
 	// Distillation tracking
 	LastDistilledAt *LocalTime // When task was last distilled for learnings
+	// UI tracking
+	LastAccessedAt *LocalTime // When task was last accessed/opened in the UI
 }
 
 // Task statuses
@@ -167,7 +169,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetTask(id int64) (*Task, error) {
 		       COALESCE(pr_url, ''), COALESCE(pr_number, 0),
 		       COALESCE(dangerous_mode, 0), COALESCE(pinned, 0), COALESCE(tags, ''), COALESCE(summary, ''),
 		       created_at, updated_at, started_at, completed_at,
-		       last_distilled_at
+		       last_distilled_at, last_accessed_at
 		FROM tasks WHERE id = ?
 	`, id).Scan(
 		&t.ID, &t.Title, &t.Body, &t.Status, &t.Type, &t.Project, &t.Executor,
@@ -176,7 +178,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetTask(id int64) (*Task, error) {
 		&t.PRURL, &t.PRNumber,
 		&t.DangerousMode, &t.Pinned, &t.Tags, &t.Summary,
 		&t.CreatedAt, &t.UpdatedAt, &t.StartedAt, &t.CompletedAt,
-		&t.LastDistilledAt,
+		&t.LastDistilledAt, &t.LastAccessedAt,
 	)
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		return nil, nil
@@ -207,7 +209,7 @@ func (db *DB) ListTasks(opts ListTasksOptions) ([]*Task, error) {
 		       COALESCE(pr_url, ''), COALESCE(pr_number, 0),
 		       COALESCE(dangerous_mode, 0), COALESCE(pinned, 0), COALESCE(tags, ''), COALESCE(summary, ''),
 		       created_at, updated_at, started_at, completed_at,
-		       last_distilled_at
+		       last_distilled_at, last_accessed_at
 		FROM tasks WHERE 1=1
 	`
 	args := []interface{}{}
@@ -259,7 +261,7 @@ func (db *DB) ListTasks(opts ListTasksOptions) ([]*Task, error) {
 			&t.PRURL, &t.PRNumber,
 			&t.DangerousMode, &t.Pinned, &t.Tags, &t.Summary,
 			&t.CreatedAt, &t.UpdatedAt, &t.StartedAt, &t.CompletedAt,
-			&t.LastDistilledAt,
+			&t.LastDistilledAt, &t.LastAccessedAt,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scan task: %w", err)
@@ -282,7 +284,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetMostRecentlyCreatedTask() (*Task, error) {
 		       COALESCE(pr_url, ''), COALESCE(pr_number, 0),
 		       COALESCE(dangerous_mode, 0), COALESCE(pinned, 0), COALESCE(tags, ''), COALESCE(summary, ''),
 		       created_at, updated_at, started_at, completed_at,
-		       last_distilled_at
+		       last_distilled_at, last_accessed_at
 		FROM tasks
 		ORDER BY created_at DESC, id DESC
 		LIMIT 1
@@ -293,7 +295,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetMostRecentlyCreatedTask() (*Task, error) {
 		&t.PRURL, &t.PRNumber,
 		&t.DangerousMode, &t.Pinned, &t.Tags, &t.Summary,
 		&t.CreatedAt, &t.UpdatedAt, &t.StartedAt, &t.CompletedAt,
-		&t.LastDistilledAt,
+		&t.LastDistilledAt, &t.LastAccessedAt,
 	)
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		return nil, nil
@@ -320,7 +322,7 @@ func (db *DB) SearchTasks(query string, limit int) ([]*Task, error) {
 		       COALESCE(pr_url, ''), COALESCE(pr_number, 0),
 		       COALESCE(dangerous_mode, 0), COALESCE(pinned, 0), COALESCE(tags, ''), COALESCE(summary, ''),
 		       created_at, updated_at, started_at, completed_at,
-		       last_distilled_at
+		       last_distilled_at, last_accessed_at
 		FROM tasks
 		WHERE (
 			title LIKE ? COLLATE NOCASE
@@ -350,7 +352,7 @@ func (db *DB) SearchTasks(query string, limit int) ([]*Task, error) {
 			&t.PRURL, &t.PRNumber,
 			&t.DangerousMode, &t.Pinned, &t.Tags, &t.Summary,
 			&t.CreatedAt, &t.UpdatedAt, &t.StartedAt, &t.CompletedAt,
-			&t.LastDistilledAt,
+			&t.LastDistilledAt, &t.LastAccessedAt,
 		)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scan task: %w", err)
@@ -564,6 +566,20 @@ func (db *DB) UpdateTaskPaneIDs(taskID int64, claudePaneID, shellPaneID string)
 	return nil
 }
 
+// UpdateTaskLastAccessedAt updates the last_accessed_at timestamp for a task.
+// This is used to track when a task was last accessed/opened in the UI,
+// enabling the command palette to show recently visited tasks first.
+func (db *DB) UpdateTaskLastAccessedAt(taskID int64) error {
+	_, err := db.Exec(`
+		UPDATE tasks SET last_accessed_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
+		WHERE id = ?
+	`, taskID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("update task last accessed at: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // DeleteTask deletes a task.
 func (db *DB) DeleteTask(id int64) error {
 	// Get task before deleting for event emission
@@ -655,7 +671,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetNextQueuedTask() (*Task, error) {
 		       COALESCE(pr_url, ''), COALESCE(pr_number, 0),
 		       COALESCE(dangerous_mode, 0), COALESCE(pinned, 0), COALESCE(tags, ''), COALESCE(summary, ''),
 		       created_at, updated_at, started_at, completed_at,
-		       last_distilled_at
+		       last_distilled_at, last_accessed_at
 		FROM tasks
 		WHERE status = ?
 		ORDER BY created_at ASC
@@ -667,7 +683,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetNextQueuedTask() (*Task, error) {
 		&t.PRURL, &t.PRNumber,
 		&t.DangerousMode, &t.Pinned, &t.Tags, &t.Summary,
 		&t.CreatedAt, &t.UpdatedAt, &t.StartedAt, &t.CompletedAt,
-		&t.LastDistilledAt,
+		&t.LastDistilledAt, &t.LastAccessedAt,
 	)
 	if err == sql.ErrNoRows {
 		return nil, nil
@@ -688,7 +704,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetQueuedTasks() ([]*Task, error) {
 		       COALESCE(pr_url, ''), COALESCE(pr_number, 0),
 		       COALESCE(dangerous_mode, 0), COALESCE(pinned, 0), COALESCE(tags, ''), COALESCE(summary, ''),
 		       created_at, updated_at, started_at, completed_at,
-		       last_distilled_at
+		       last_distilled_at, last_accessed_at
 		FROM tasks
 		WHERE status = ?
 		ORDER BY created_at ASC
@@ -708,7 +724,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetQueuedTasks() ([]*Task, error) {
 			&t.PRURL, &t.PRNumber,
 			&t.DangerousMode, &t.Pinned, &t.Tags, &t.Summary,
 			&t.CreatedAt, &t.UpdatedAt, &t.StartedAt, &t.CompletedAt,
-			&t.LastDistilledAt,
+			&t.LastDistilledAt, &t.LastAccessedAt,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scan task: %w", err)
 		}
@@ -728,7 +744,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetTasksWithBranches() ([]*Task, error) {
 		       COALESCE(pr_url, ''), COALESCE(pr_number, 0),
 		       COALESCE(dangerous_mode, 0), COALESCE(pinned, 0), COALESCE(tags, ''), COALESCE(summary, ''),
 		       created_at, updated_at, started_at, completed_at,
-		       last_distilled_at
+		       last_distilled_at, last_accessed_at
 		FROM tasks
 		WHERE branch_name != '' AND status NOT IN (?, ?)
 		ORDER BY created_at DESC
@@ -748,7 +764,7 @@ func (db *DB) GetTasksWithBranches() ([]*Task, error) {
 			&t.PRURL, &t.PRNumber,
 			&t.DangerousMode, &t.Pinned, &t.Tags, &t.Summary,
 			&t.CreatedAt, &t.UpdatedAt, &t.StartedAt, &t.CompletedAt,
-			&t.LastDistilledAt,
+			&t.LastDistilledAt, &t.LastAccessedAt,
 		); err != nil {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("scan task: %w", err)
 		}

internal/ui/app.go

@@ -2748,6 +2748,12 @@ func (m *AppModel) loadTaskWithOptions(id int64, focusExecutor bool) tea.Cmd {
 		go m.executor.CheckPRStateAndUpdateTask(id)
 	}
 
+	// Update last accessed timestamp (async, don't block UI)
+	if m.db != nil {
+		database := m.db
+		go database.UpdateTaskLastAccessedAt(id)
+	}
+
 	return func() tea.Msg {
 		task, err := m.db.GetTask(id)
 		return taskLoadedMsg{task: task, err: err, focusExecutor: focusExecutor}

internal/ui/command_palette.go

@@ -143,12 +143,35 @@ func statusPriority(status string) int {
 
 // filterTasks filters tasks based on the search query using fuzzy matching.
 // Results are sorted by match score, with best matches first.
+// When no query is provided, tasks are sorted by recency (last accessed first).
 // When a query is provided, it also searches the database to find older/done tasks.
 func (m *CommandPaletteModel) filterTasks() {
 	query := strings.TrimSpace(m.searchInput.Value())
 
 	if query == "" {
-		m.filteredTasks = m.allTasks
+		// No query - sort by last accessed time (most recent first)
+		// Make a copy to avoid modifying the original slice
+		m.filteredTasks = make([]*db.Task, len(m.allTasks))
+		copy(m.filteredTasks, m.allTasks)
+		sort.Slice(m.filteredTasks, func(i, j int) bool {
+			// Tasks with LastAccessedAt set come before those without
+			iAccessed := m.filteredTasks[i].LastAccessedAt
+			jAccessed := m.filteredTasks[j].LastAccessedAt
+
+			// If both have been accessed, sort by most recent first
+			if iAccessed != nil && jAccessed != nil {
+				return iAccessed.Time.After(jAccessed.Time)
+			}
+			// Tasks that have been accessed come before those that haven't
+			if iAccessed != nil && jAccessed == nil {
+				return true
+			}
+			if iAccessed == nil && jAccessed != nil {
+				return false
+			}
+			// Neither has been accessed - fall back to created_at (newest first)
+			return m.filteredTasks[i].CreatedAt.Time.After(m.filteredTasks[j].CreatedAt.Time)
+		})
 	} else {
 		queryLower := strings.ToLower(query)
 

internal/ui/command_palette_test.go

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package ui
 
 import (
 	"testing"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/bborn/workflow/internal/db"
 )
@@ -372,3 +373,114 @@ func TestMatchesQueryPRSearch(t *testing.T) {
 		})
 	}
 }
+
+func TestFilterTasksSortsByLastAccessedWhenNoQuery(t *testing.T) {
+	// Create test tasks with different last_accessed_at times
+	now := time.Now()
+	oldAccess := db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-2 * time.Hour)}
+	recentAccess := db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-1 * time.Hour)}
+	mostRecentAccess := db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-30 * time.Minute)}
+
+	tasks := []*db.Task{
+		{ID: 1, Title: "Old task", CreatedAt: db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-3 * time.Hour)}, LastAccessedAt: &oldAccess},
+		{ID: 2, Title: "Recent task", CreatedAt: db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-2 * time.Hour)}, LastAccessedAt: &recentAccess},
+		{ID: 3, Title: "Most recent task", CreatedAt: db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-1 * time.Hour)}, LastAccessedAt: &mostRecentAccess},
+		{ID: 4, Title: "Never accessed", CreatedAt: db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-30 * time.Minute)}, LastAccessedAt: nil},
+	}
+
+	m := &CommandPaletteModel{
+		allTasks: tasks,
+	}
+	// Empty query - should sort by last_accessed_at
+	m.searchInput.SetValue("")
+	m.filterTasks()
+
+	if len(m.filteredTasks) != 4 {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected 4 tasks, got %d", len(m.filteredTasks))
+	}
+
+	// First should be most recently accessed (ID 3)
+	if m.filteredTasks[0].ID != 3 {
+		t.Errorf("First task should be ID 3 (most recently accessed), got ID %d", m.filteredTasks[0].ID)
+	}
+
+	// Second should be recently accessed (ID 2)
+	if m.filteredTasks[1].ID != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("Second task should be ID 2 (recently accessed), got ID %d", m.filteredTasks[1].ID)
+	}
+
+	// Third should be old accessed (ID 1)
+	if m.filteredTasks[2].ID != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("Third task should be ID 1 (old accessed), got ID %d", m.filteredTasks[2].ID)
+	}
+
+	// Fourth should be never accessed (ID 4) - uses created_at as fallback
+	if m.filteredTasks[3].ID != 4 {
+		t.Errorf("Fourth task should be ID 4 (never accessed), got ID %d", m.filteredTasks[3].ID)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestFilterTasksNeverAccessedSortsByCreatedAt(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test that tasks that have never been accessed are sorted by created_at
+	now := time.Now()
+
+	tasks := []*db.Task{
+		{ID: 1, Title: "Oldest", CreatedAt: db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-3 * time.Hour)}, LastAccessedAt: nil},
+		{ID: 2, Title: "Middle", CreatedAt: db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-2 * time.Hour)}, LastAccessedAt: nil},
+		{ID: 3, Title: "Newest", CreatedAt: db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-1 * time.Hour)}, LastAccessedAt: nil},
+	}
+
+	m := &CommandPaletteModel{
+		allTasks: tasks,
+	}
+	// Empty query - should sort by created_at (newest first) when no access times
+	m.searchInput.SetValue("")
+	m.filterTasks()
+
+	if len(m.filteredTasks) != 3 {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected 3 tasks, got %d", len(m.filteredTasks))
+	}
+
+	// Should be sorted by created_at descending (newest first)
+	if m.filteredTasks[0].ID != 3 {
+		t.Errorf("First task should be ID 3 (newest created), got ID %d", m.filteredTasks[0].ID)
+	}
+	if m.filteredTasks[1].ID != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("Second task should be ID 2 (middle created), got ID %d", m.filteredTasks[1].ID)
+	}
+	if m.filteredTasks[2].ID != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("Third task should be ID 1 (oldest created), got ID %d", m.filteredTasks[2].ID)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestFilterTasksAccessedBeforeNeverAccessed(t *testing.T) {
+	// Test that accessed tasks always come before never-accessed tasks
+	now := time.Now()
+	oldAccess := db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-24 * time.Hour)} // Accessed long ago
+
+	tasks := []*db.Task{
+		// Never accessed but created very recently
+		{ID: 1, Title: "Never accessed new", CreatedAt: db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-1 * time.Minute)}, LastAccessedAt: nil},
+		// Accessed long ago
+		{ID: 2, Title: "Accessed old", CreatedAt: db.LocalTime{Time: now.Add(-48 * time.Hour)}, LastAccessedAt: &oldAccess},
+	}
+
+	m := &CommandPaletteModel{
+		allTasks: tasks,
+	}
+	// Empty query
+	m.searchInput.SetValue("")
+	m.filterTasks()
+
+	if len(m.filteredTasks) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("Expected 2 tasks, got %d", len(m.filteredTasks))
+	}
+
+	// Accessed task (even if old) should come before never-accessed task
+	if m.filteredTasks[0].ID != 2 {
+		t.Errorf("First task should be ID 2 (has been accessed), got ID %d", m.filteredTasks[0].ID)
+	}
+	if m.filteredTasks[1].ID != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("Second task should be ID 1 (never accessed), got ID %d", m.filteredTasks[1].ID)
+	}
+}