# Task Lifecycle Management

Understanding the lifecycle of a browser task in **Browser Swarm** is crucial for optimizing resource usage, ensuring reliability, and effectively debugging automation workflows.

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### ⏱️ Task Termination Methods

Browser tasks can conclude through various mechanisms:

1. **Automatic Timeout**: Each task has a default timeout, configurable at the project level or overridden per task. Tasks exceeding this duration will automatically terminate.
2. **Manual Termination**: You can explicitly end tasks by:
   * Programmatically closing the browser (e.g., `browser.close()` or `driver.quit()`).
   * Using the Sessions API to terminate the task.
   * Releasing keep-alive tasks when they're no longer needed.
3. **Unhandled Errors**: Unexpected issues, such as network interruptions or uncaught exceptions in your automation code, can lead to premature task termination. Implement robust error handling to mitigate this risk.

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### 🕒 Configuring Task Timeouts

Timeouts can be set at two levels:

* **Project-Level Timeout**: Defines the default timeout for all tasks within a project.[Browserbase](https://docs.browserbase.com/fundamentals/manage-browser-session?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* **Task-Level Timeout**: Overrides the project default for individual tasks, allowing fine-grained control over task durations.

Adjust these settings based on the expected duration of your automation workflows to prevent unintended terminations.

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### 🔍 Debugging Completed Tasks

Utilize the **Session Inspector** to analyze and debug completed tasks:

* **Session Replay**: Reconstruct and review browser interactions step-by-step.
* **Network Monitor**: Inspect HTTP requests, responses, and timings.
* **Console & Logs**: Examine JavaScript outputs and debug messages.
* **Performance Metrics**: Assess CPU, memory usage, and other vital statistics.

These tools provide comprehensive insights to identify and resolve issues effectively.

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### 📊 Monitoring Task Usage

Track and analyze your browser task usage through:

* **Dashboard**: Access the Overview Dashboard to view total browser minutes, active tasks, usage trends, and billing information.
* **Sessions List**: Browse your task history to examine durations, statuses, and resource consumption.

For programmatic access to usage metrics, refer to the Measuring Usage Guide.

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By effectively managing the lifecycle of your browser tasks, you can ensure optimal performance, cost-efficiency, and reliability in your automation processes.