Widget v2

Widget v2 is a customizable home screen widget system introduced in Tasker 6.4.1 beta. It replaces Tasker's traditional widget approach with a flexible, layout-based framework that allows users to create interactive and dynamically updated widgets directly from Tasker actions and variables. Widget v2 is considered a major redesign of Tasker's widget functionality and serves as the foundation for many modern widget-related features in Tasker.

Overview

Widget v2 enables users to create fully customizable Android home screen widgets without requiring third-party widget applications. Widgets are built using layouts and elements that can display text, images, variables, buttons, switches, media controls, and other interactive components. The appearance and behavior of a widget can be updated dynamically through Tasker tasks.

Unlike traditional Tasker widgets, Widget v2 separates the widget's visual design from its automation logic, making it easier to create complex user interfaces and reusable widget layouts.

Features

Widget v2 includes the following capabilities:

Fully customizable widget layouts.
Dynamic text, images, and colors.
Variable-driven content updates.
Clickable elements that can execute Tasker tasks.
Support for task parameters and variables.
Media-style widgets with artwork, controls, and status information.
Scrollable and multi-element layouts.
Reusable presets and templates.
Integration with Tasker AI Generator.

Widget Layouts

Tasker includes several predefined Widget v2 layouts.

Buttons

The Buttons layout displays one or more icons and labels similar to application shortcuts on the Android launcher. Each button can be assigned images, labels, and click actions.

Media

The Media layout provides a media-player-style interface featuring artwork, text, and control buttons. Although designed for media controls, it can be adapted for other automation purposes.

Custom Layouts

Users can create custom layouts using the Widget v2 editor. These layouts can contain multiple nested elements and support extensive customization of appearance, behavior, and interaction.

Widget Editor

Widget v2 includes a dedicated visual editor for designing widget layouts. The editor allows users to add, arrange, and configure elements without manually editing code or configuration files. Later releases introduced improvements such as copy-and-paste support, easier task selection, variable pickers, color selection tools, and parent-child action inheritance.

Dynamic Updates

Widget content can be modified through Tasker tasks using the Widget v2 action. Variables, images, text, and layout properties can be updated in real time, allowing widgets to reflect changing information such as weather conditions, device status, media playback, notifications, or automation states.

AI Integration

Beginning with Tasker 6.5.5 beta, Widget v2 became integrated with the Tasker AI Generator. Users can describe a desired widget in natural language, and Tasker generates the widget layout, update tasks, and associated profiles automatically. This significantly lowers the barrier to creating advanced widgets.

Community Usage

The flexibility of Widget v2 has enabled the Tasker community to create a wide variety of custom widgets, including dashboards, smart home controls, media interfaces, information displays, games, and interactive launcher components. Community-created examples have demonstrated functionality beyond traditional Android widgets, including puzzle games and dynamically generated icon grids.

History

Tasker 6.4.1 Beta — Initial release of Widget v2 as a complete redesign of Tasker's widget system.
Tasker 6.4.9 Beta — Added editor improvements, task inheritance, variable passing, enhanced styling options, and workflow refinements.
Tasker 6.5.5 Beta — Added AI-generated Widget v2 creation through the Tasker AI Generator.