# Code

A task's code is a [**Liquid**](https://learn.mechanic.dev/platform/liquid) template. In the same way that a Shopify storefront might use a Liquid template to receive requests and render HTML, a task uses its Liquid code to receive events, and render a series of JSON objects. These JSON objects define [**actions**](https://learn.mechanic.dev/core/tasks/code/action-objects), [**logs**](https://learn.mechanic.dev/core/tasks/code/log-objects), and [**errors**](https://learn.mechanic.dev/core/tasks/code/error-objects).

{% hint style="info" %}
In Mechanic, actions are performed after their originating task run concludes. Actions are not performed inline during the task's Liquid rendering.

To inspect and respond to the results of an HTTP action, add a task subscription to mechanic/actions/perform, allowing the action to re-invoke the task with the action result data.

Learn more: [Responding to action results](https://learn.mechanic.dev/techniques/responding-to-action-results)
{% endhint %}

Task code always has access to a set of [**environment variables**](https://learn.mechanic.dev/core/tasks/code/environment-variables), which can be used to make decisions about what JSON objects to render.

A task must purposefully consider its [**preview**](https://learn.mechanic.dev/core/tasks/previews), so as to accurately communicate its intent to users and to the Mechanic platform.

{% hint style="info" %}
To find many examples of task code, browse <https://github.com/lightward/mechanic-tasks>.
{% endhint %}

## See also

* [Liquid basics](https://learn.mechanic.dev/platform/liquid/basics) — syntax, data types, variables, filters, and control flow
* [Mechanic filters](https://learn.mechanic.dev/platform/liquid/filters) — Mechanic-specific filters for data manipulation
* [Mechanic tags](https://learn.mechanic.dev/platform/liquid/tags) — `{% raw %}{% action %}{% endraw %}`, `{% raw %}{% log %}{% endraw %}`, `{% raw %}{% error %}{% endraw %}`, and more
* [Mechanic objects](https://learn.mechanic.dev/platform/liquid/objects) — event, task, options, cache, and action objects available in your code
* [Writing a high-quality task](https://learn.mechanic.dev/techniques/writing-a-high-quality-task) — patterns and practices for reliable Mechanic tasks