---
title: Extend the Tasks pane with custom queries
slug: cms-11/dev-docs/extending-the-tasks-pane-with-custom-queries
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-22T19:45:22.664Z
---

The Tasks panel contains predefined lists with queries like Drafts, Rejected, or Recently Changed. You can also build a query and plug it into the tasks list.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/3prv0NCkSldBBHln9GQNt-20260722-194646.png "tasks-dropdown.png")

To add a query, implement `IContentQueryInterface` or inherit from one of the base classes that already have this interface (`ContentQueryBase`, `ContentActivitiesQueryBase`).

```csharp
public class CustomQuery : ContentQueryBase {
  // …  
}
```

Register the query in the IOC container under `IContentQuery` type (using `ServiceConfiguration` attribute).

```csharp
[ServiceConfiguration(typeof(IContentQuery))]
public class CustomQuery : ContentQueryBase {
  // …  
}
```

Then, implement a few properties:

- `Name` – unique name for the query.
- `DisplayName` – label displayed in drop-down list, used for grouping queries in the list.
- `SortOrder` – defines the position on the list.
- `VersionSpecific`  –  determines whether to treat query results as version-specific when comparing links.
- `PluginAreas` – to make the query visible in the tasks list,  set `PluginAreas` to `EPiServer.Shell.ContentQuery.KnownContentQueryPlugInArea.EditorTasks` string constant.

```csharp
public override IEnumerable<string> PlugInAreas = new string[] { KnownContentQueryPlugInArea.EditorTasks };
```

## Implement a custom query

Create a query to display pages that were manually marked as being edited.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/zHwapZ5zS_xb4Dzao04tA-20260722-194646.png "tools-menu---edit.png")

There is a repository registered under the `IInUseNotificationRepository` interface that returns its content in `GetContentMethod`.

```csharp
[ServiceConfiguration(typeof (IContentQuery))]
public class MarkAsEditedQuery: ContentQueryBase {
  private readonly IContentRepository contentRepository;
  private readonly IInUseNotificationRepository inUseNotificationRepository;

  public MarkAsEditedQuery(IContentQueryHelper queryHelper, IContentRepository contentRepository,
    IInUseNotificationRepository inUseNotificationRepository): base(contentRepository, queryHelper) {
    this.contentRepository = contentRepository;
    this.inUseNotificationRepository = inUseNotificationRepository;
  }
  public override string Name => "markedAsEdit";
  public override string DisplayName => "Marked as edit";
  public override IEnumerable<string> PlugInAreas => new string[] {
    KnownContentQueryPlugInArea.EditorTasks
  };
  public override int SortOrder => 105;
  public override bool VersionSpecific = rt false;
  protected override IEnumerable<IContent> GetContent(ContentQueryParameters parameters) {
    return inUseNotificationRepository.GetAllInUseNotifications()
      .Where(n => n.AddedManually)
      .Select(c => contentRepository.Get<IContent>(c.ContentGuid));
  }
}
```

After running the application, place the query under the **OTHERS** category.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/iYmO_QgtMyiPljFuKrNox-20260722-194646.png "tasks-dropdown---new-query.png")

To place it under another category, such as **STATUS**, add a generic type to `ContentQueryBase` or add a generic `IContentQuery` interface.

```csharp
public class MarkAsEditedQuery : ContentQueryBase<TasksStatusQueryCategory>
    // or
public class MarkAsEditedQuery : ContentQueryBase, IContentQuery<TasksStatusQueryCategory>
```

## Create custom query categories

You can create a query category. `Category` is a class that implements the `IContentQueryCategory` interface, and you register it in the IOC container under the `IContentQueryCategory` type (using `ServiceConfiguration` attribute).

```csharp
[ServiceConfiguration(typeof(IContentQueryCategory), Lifecycle = ServiceInstanceScope.Singleton)]
public class AlloyQueryCategory : IContentQueryCategory {
  public string DisplayName => "Alloy tasks";
  public int SortOrder => 100;
}
```

The class has to implement two properties, `DisplayName`, which could be the name or key to a localization service, and `SortOrder` that you use when sorting categories in the list. Instead of using `TasksStatusQueryCategory`, use the `AlloyQueryCategory`.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/DqvTyOKn1pEaXrhxLIMBU-20260722-194646.png "tasks-dropdown---query-in-new-category.png")