diff --git a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskCard.tsx b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskCard.tsx
index 48aa87f2..b116636d 100644
--- a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskCard.tsx
+++ b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskCard.tsx
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 import { Tag } from "lucide-react";
 import type React from "react";
-import { useCallback, useState } from "react";
+import { useCallback } from "react";
 import { useDrag, useDrop } from "react-dnd";
 import { useTaskActions } from "../hooks";
-import type { Assignee, Task } from "../types";
+import type { Assignee, Task, TaskPriority } from "../types";
 import { getOrderColor, getOrderGlow, ItemTypes } from "../utils/task-styles";
 import { TaskAssignee } from "./TaskAssignee";
 import { TaskCardActions } from "./TaskCardActions";
-import { type Priority, TaskPriority } from "./TaskPriority";
+import { TaskPriorityComponent } from ".";
 
 export interface TaskCardProps {
   task: Task;
@@ -34,12 +34,8 @@ export const TaskCard: React.FC<TaskCardProps> = ({
   selectedTasks,
   onTaskSelect,
 }) => {
-  // Local state for frontend-only priority
-  // NOTE: Priority is display-only and doesn't sync with backend yet
-  const [localPriority, setLocalPriority] = useState<Priority>("medium");
-
-  // Use business logic hook
-  const { changeAssignee, isUpdating } = useTaskActions(projectId);
+  // Use business logic hook with changePriority
+  const { changeAssignee, changePriority, isUpdating } = useTaskActions(projectId);
 
   // Handlers - now just call hook methods
   const handleEdit = useCallback(() => {
@@ -59,10 +55,12 @@ export const TaskCard: React.FC<TaskCardProps> = ({
     }
   }, [onDelete, task]);
 
-  const handlePriorityChange = useCallback((priority: Priority) => {
-    // Frontend-only priority change
-    setLocalPriority(priority);
-  }, []);
+  const handlePriorityChange = useCallback(
+    (priority: TaskPriority) => {
+      changePriority(task.id, priority);
+    },
+    [changePriority, task.id],
+  );
 
   const handleAssigneeChange = useCallback(
     (newAssignee: Assignee) => {
@@ -218,8 +216,12 @@ export const TaskCard: React.FC<TaskCardProps> = ({
           <div className="flex items-center justify-between mt-auto pt-2 pl-1.5 pr-3">
             <TaskAssignee assignee={task.assignee} onAssigneeChange={handleAssigneeChange} isLoading={isUpdating} />
 
-            {/* Priority display (frontend-only for now) */}
-            <TaskPriority priority={localPriority} onPriorityChange={handlePriorityChange} isLoading={false} />
+            {/* Priority display connected to database */}
+            <TaskPriorityComponent
+              priority={task.priority}
+              onPriorityChange={handlePriorityChange}
+              isLoading={isUpdating}
+            />
           </div>
         </div>
       </div>
diff --git a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskEditModal.tsx b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskEditModal.tsx
index 7b40b510..2f839fe9 100644
--- a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskEditModal.tsx
+++ b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskEditModal.tsx
@@ -18,9 +18,8 @@ import {
   TextArea,
 } from "../../../ui/primitives";
 import { useTaskEditor } from "../hooks";
-import type { Assignee, Task } from "../types";
+import type { Assignee, Task, TaskPriority } from "../types";
 import { FeatureSelect } from "./FeatureSelect";
-import type { Priority } from "./TaskPriority";
 
 interface TaskEditModalProps {
   isModalOpen: boolean;
@@ -52,7 +51,7 @@ export const TaskEditModal = memo(
           status: "todo",
           assignee: "User" as Assignee,
           feature: "",
-          priority: "medium" as Priority, // Frontend-only priority
+          priority: "medium" as TaskPriority, // Direct priority field
         });
       }
     }, [editingTask]);
@@ -133,9 +132,9 @@ export const TaskEditModal = memo(
               <FormField>
                 <Label>Priority</Label>
                 <Select
-                  value={(localTask as Task & { priority?: Priority })?.priority || "medium"}
+                  value={localTask?.priority || "medium"}
                   onValueChange={(value) =>
-                    setLocalTask((prev) => (prev ? { ...prev, priority: value as Priority } : null))
+                    setLocalTask((prev) => (prev ? { ...prev, priority: value as TaskPriority } : null))
                   }
                 >
                   <SelectTrigger className="w-full">
diff --git a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskPriority.tsx b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskPriorityComponent.tsx
similarity index 93%
rename from archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskPriority.tsx
rename to archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskPriorityComponent.tsx
index 3e59bafb..925ff154 100644
--- a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskPriority.tsx
+++ b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/TaskPriorityComponent.tsx
@@ -11,18 +11,17 @@ import { AlertCircle } from "lucide-react";
 import type React from "react";
 import { Select, SelectContent, SelectItem, SelectTrigger } from "../../../ui/primitives/select";
 import { cn, glassmorphism } from "../../../ui/primitives/styles";
-
-export type Priority = "critical" | "high" | "medium" | "low";
+import type { TaskPriority } from "../types";
 
 interface TaskPriorityProps {
-  priority?: Priority;
-  onPriorityChange?: (priority: Priority) => void;
+  priority?: TaskPriority;
+  onPriorityChange?: (priority: TaskPriority) => void;
   isLoading?: boolean;
 }
 
 // Priority options for the dropdown
 const PRIORITY_OPTIONS: Array<{
-  value: Priority;
+  value: TaskPriority;
   label: string;
   color: string;
 }> = [
@@ -32,13 +31,13 @@ const PRIORITY_OPTIONS: Array<{
   { value: "low", label: "Low", color: "text-gray-600" },
 ];
 
-export const TaskPriority: React.FC<TaskPriorityProps> = ({
+export const TaskPriorityComponent: React.FC<TaskPriorityProps> = ({
   priority = "medium",
   onPriorityChange,
   isLoading = false,
 }) => {
   // Get priority-specific styling with Tron glow
-  const getPriorityStyles = (priorityValue: Priority) => {
+  const getPriorityStyles = (priorityValue: TaskPriority) => {
     switch (priorityValue) {
       case "critical":
         return {
@@ -101,7 +100,7 @@ export const TaskPriority: React.FC<TaskPriorityProps> = ({
   }
 
   return (
-    <Select value={priority} onValueChange={(value) => onPriorityChange(value as Priority)}>
+    <Select value={priority} onValueChange={(value) => onPriorityChange(value as TaskPriority)}>
       <SelectTrigger
         disabled={isLoading}
         className={cn(
diff --git a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/index.ts b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/index.ts
index 6e6c9e73..3659e2e7 100644
--- a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/index.ts
+++ b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/components/index.ts
@@ -13,4 +13,4 @@ export type { TaskCardProps } from "./TaskCard";
 export { TaskCard } from "./TaskCard";
 export { TaskCardActions } from "./TaskCardActions";
 export { TaskEditModal } from "./TaskEditModal";
-export { TaskPriority as TaskPriorityComponent } from "./TaskPriority";
+export { TaskPriorityComponent } from "./TaskPriorityComponent";
diff --git a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/tests/useTaskQueries.test.ts b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/tests/useTaskQueries.test.ts
index 0afa36a1..51696870 100644
--- a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/tests/useTaskQueries.test.ts
+++ b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/tests/useTaskQueries.test.ts
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ describe("useTaskQueries", () => {
           status: "todo",
           assignee: "User",
           task_order: 100,
+          priority: "medium",
           created_at: "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z",
           updated_at: "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z",
         },
@@ -120,6 +121,7 @@ describe("useTaskQueries", () => {
         status: "todo",
         assignee: "User",
         task_order: 100,
+        priority: "medium",
         created_at: "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z",
         updated_at: "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z",
       };
@@ -159,6 +161,7 @@ describe("useTaskQueries", () => {
         status: "todo",
         assignee: "User",
         task_order: 100,
+        priority: "medium",
         created_at: "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z",
         updated_at: "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z",
       };
diff --git a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/useTaskActions.ts b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/useTaskActions.ts
index b74d207d..9a799622 100644
--- a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/useTaskActions.ts
+++ b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/useTaskActions.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { useCallback, useState } from "react";
-import type { Assignee, Task, UseTaskActionsReturn } from "../types";
+import type { Assignee, Task, TaskPriority, UseTaskActionsReturn } from "../types";
 import { useDeleteTask, useUpdateTask } from "./useTaskQueries";
 
 export const useTaskActions = (projectId: string): UseTaskActionsReturn => {
@@ -21,6 +21,17 @@ export const useTaskActions = (projectId: string): UseTaskActionsReturn => {
     [updateTaskMutation],
   );
 
+  // Priority change handler
+  const changePriority = useCallback(
+    (taskId: string, newPriority: TaskPriority) => {
+      updateTaskMutation.mutate({
+        taskId,
+        updates: { priority: newPriority },
+      });
+    },
+    [updateTaskMutation],
+  );
+
   // Delete task handler with confirmation flow - now accepts full task object
   const initiateDelete = useCallback((task: Task) => {
     setTaskToDelete(task);
@@ -54,6 +65,7 @@ export const useTaskActions = (projectId: string): UseTaskActionsReturn => {
   return {
     // Actions
     changeAssignee,
+    changePriority,
     initiateDelete,
     confirmDelete,
     cancelDelete,
diff --git a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/useTaskEditor.ts b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/useTaskEditor.ts
index d0c87486..efb37ab6 100644
--- a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/useTaskEditor.ts
+++ b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/hooks/useTaskEditor.ts
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ export const useTaskEditor = (projectId: string): UseTaskEditorReturn => {
     if (localTask.status !== editingTask.status) updates.status = localTask.status;
     if (localTask.assignee !== editingTask.assignee) updates.assignee = localTask.assignee || "User";
     if (localTask.task_order !== editingTask.task_order) updates.task_order = localTask.task_order;
+    if (localTask.priority !== editingTask.priority) updates.priority = localTask.priority;
     if (localTask.feature !== editingTask.feature) updates.feature = localTask.feature || "";
 
     return updates;
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ export const useTaskEditor = (projectId: string): UseTaskEditorReturn => {
         description: localTask.description || "",
         status: (localTask.status as Task["status"]) || "todo",
         assignee: (localTask.assignee as Assignee) || "User",
+        priority: localTask.priority || "medium",
         feature: localTask.feature || "",
         task_order: localTask.task_order || getDefaultTaskOrder((localTask.status as Task["status"]) || "todo"),
       };
diff --git a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/services/taskService.ts b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/services/taskService.ts
index 371495c2..5c655179 100644
--- a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/services/taskService.ts
+++ b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/services/taskService.ts
@@ -85,7 +85,10 @@ export const taskService = {
       });
 
       // Invalidate related caches
-      // Note: We don't know the project_id here, so TanStack Query will handle invalidation
+      // Invalidate the specific project's tasks using the returned task data
+      if (task.project_id) {
+        invalidateETagCache(`/api/projects/${task.project_id}/tasks`);
+      }
       invalidateETagCache("/api/tasks/counts");
 
       return task;
diff --git a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/hooks.ts b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/hooks.ts
index 4c0d162a..70ecd6d6 100644
--- a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/hooks.ts
+++ b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/hooks.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * Type definitions for task-related hooks
  */
 
-import type { Task } from "./task";
+import type { Task, TaskPriority } from "./task";
 
 /**
  * Return type for useTaskActions hook
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import type { Task } from "./task";
 export interface UseTaskActionsReturn {
   // Actions
   changeAssignee: (taskId: string, newAssignee: string) => void;
+  changePriority: (taskId: string, newPriority: TaskPriority) => void;
   initiateDelete: (task: Task) => void;
   confirmDelete: () => void;
   cancelDelete: () => void;
diff --git a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/priority.ts b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/priority.ts
index de0951b1..a678e040 100644
--- a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/priority.ts
+++ b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/priority.ts
@@ -1,39 +1,36 @@
 /**
  * Priority System Types
  *
- * Defines user-facing priority levels separate from task_order (which handles drag-and-drop positioning).
- * Priority is for display and user understanding, not for ordering logic.
+ * Defines priority levels independent from task_order (which handles drag-and-drop positioning).
+ * Priority represents semantic importance and is stored directly in the database.
  */
 
 export type TaskPriority = "critical" | "high" | "medium" | "low";
 
 export interface TaskPriorityOption {
-  value: number; // Maps to task_order values for backwards compatibility
+  value: TaskPriority; // Direct priority values from database enum
   label: string;
   color: string;
 }
 
 export const TASK_PRIORITY_OPTIONS: readonly TaskPriorityOption[] = [
-  { value: 1, label: "Critical", color: "text-red-600" },
-  { value: 25, label: "High", color: "text-orange-600" },
-  { value: 50, label: "Medium", color: "text-blue-600" },
-  { value: 100, label: "Low", color: "text-gray-600" },
+  { value: "critical", label: "Critical", color: "text-red-600" },
+  { value: "high", label: "High", color: "text-orange-600" },
+  { value: "medium", label: "Medium", color: "text-blue-600" },
+  { value: "low", label: "Low", color: "text-gray-600" },
 ] as const;
 
 /**
- * Convert task_order value to TaskPriority enum
+ * Get task priority display properties from priority value
  */
-export function getTaskPriorityFromTaskOrder(taskOrder: number): TaskPriority {
-  if (taskOrder <= 1) return "critical";
-  if (taskOrder <= 25) return "high";
-  if (taskOrder <= 50) return "medium";
-  return "low";
+export function getTaskPriorityOption(priority: TaskPriority): TaskPriorityOption {
+  const priorityOption = TASK_PRIORITY_OPTIONS.find((p) => p.value === priority);
+  return priorityOption || TASK_PRIORITY_OPTIONS[2]; // Default to 'Medium'
 }
 
 /**
- * Get task priority display properties from task_order
+ * Validate priority value against allowed enum values
  */
-export function getTaskPriorityOption(taskOrder: number): TaskPriorityOption {
-  const priority = TASK_PRIORITY_OPTIONS.find((p) => p.value >= taskOrder);
-  return priority || TASK_PRIORITY_OPTIONS[TASK_PRIORITY_OPTIONS.length - 1]; // Default to 'Low'
+export function isValidTaskPriority(priority: string): priority is TaskPriority {
+  return ["critical", "high", "medium", "low"].includes(priority);
 }
diff --git a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/task.ts b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/task.ts
index 3e88060c..5e1674dd 100644
--- a/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/task.ts
+++ b/archon-ui-main/src/features/projects/tasks/types/task.ts
@@ -59,9 +59,11 @@ export interface Task {
   archived_at?: string;
   archived_by?: string;
 
+  // Priority field (required database field)
+  priority: TaskPriority;
+
   // Extended UI properties
   featureColor?: string;
-  priority?: TaskPriority;
 }
 
 // Request types
diff --git a/migration/add_priority_column_to_tasks.sql b/migration/add_priority_column_to_tasks.sql
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b857cf25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migration/add_priority_column_to_tasks.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+-- =====================================================
+-- Add priority column to archon_tasks table
+-- =====================================================
+-- This migration adds a dedicated priority column to decouple
+-- task priority from task_order field:
+-- - priority: Enum field for semantic importance (low, medium, high, critical)
+-- - task_order: Remains for visual drag-and-drop positioning only
+--
+-- This solves the coupling issue where changing task position
+-- accidentally changed task priority, enabling independent
+-- priority management and visual task organization.
+--
+-- SAFE & IDEMPOTENT: Can be run multiple times without issues
+-- Compatible with complete_setup.sql for fresh installations
+-- =====================================================
+
+-- Create enum type for task priority (safe, idempotent)
+DO $$ BEGIN
+    CREATE TYPE task_priority AS ENUM ('low', 'medium', 'high', 'critical');
+EXCEPTION
+    WHEN duplicate_object THEN 
+        -- Type already exists, check if it has the right values
+        RAISE NOTICE 'task_priority enum already exists, skipping creation';
+END $$;
+
+-- Add priority column to archon_tasks table (safe, idempotent with NOT NULL constraint)
+DO $$ BEGIN
+    -- Add column as nullable first with default
+    ALTER TABLE archon_tasks ADD COLUMN priority task_priority DEFAULT 'medium';
+    
+    -- Ensure all existing rows have the default value (handles any NULLs)
+    UPDATE archon_tasks SET priority = 'medium' WHERE priority IS NULL;
+    
+    -- Make column NOT NULL to enforce application invariants
+    ALTER TABLE archon_tasks ALTER COLUMN priority SET NOT NULL;
+    
+    RAISE NOTICE 'Added priority column with NOT NULL constraint and default value';
+EXCEPTION
+    WHEN duplicate_column THEN 
+        -- Column exists, ensure it's NOT NULL and has proper default
+        BEGIN
+            -- Ensure no NULL values exist
+            UPDATE archon_tasks SET priority = 'medium' WHERE priority IS NULL;
+            
+            -- Ensure NOT NULL constraint (safe if already NOT NULL)
+            BEGIN
+                ALTER TABLE archon_tasks ALTER COLUMN priority SET NOT NULL;
+            EXCEPTION
+                WHEN OTHERS THEN
+                    RAISE NOTICE 'priority column already has NOT NULL constraint';
+            END;
+            
+            -- Ensure default value is set (safe if already set)
+            BEGIN
+                ALTER TABLE archon_tasks ALTER COLUMN priority SET DEFAULT 'medium';
+            EXCEPTION
+                WHEN OTHERS THEN
+                    RAISE NOTICE 'priority column already has default value';
+            END;
+            
+        END;
+        RAISE NOTICE 'priority column already exists, ensured NOT NULL constraint and default';
+END $$;
+
+-- Add index for the priority column for better query performance (safe, idempotent)
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_archon_tasks_priority ON archon_tasks(priority);
+
+-- Add comment to document the new column (safe, idempotent)
+DO $$ BEGIN
+    COMMENT ON COLUMN archon_tasks.priority IS 'Task priority level independent of visual ordering - used for semantic importance (low, medium, high, critical)';
+EXCEPTION
+    WHEN undefined_column THEN 
+        RAISE NOTICE 'priority column does not exist yet, skipping comment';
+END $$;
+
+-- Set all existing tasks to default priority (clean slate approach)
+-- This truly decouples priority from task_order - no relationship at all
+DO $$ 
+DECLARE 
+    updated_count INTEGER;
+BEGIN
+    -- Only proceed if priority column exists
+    IF EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM information_schema.columns 
+               WHERE table_name = 'archon_tasks' AND column_name = 'priority') THEN
+        
+        -- Set all existing tasks to medium priority (clean slate)
+        -- Users can explicitly set priorities as needed after migration
+        UPDATE archon_tasks 
+        SET priority = 'medium'::task_priority
+        WHERE priority IS NULL;  -- Only update NULL values, preserve any existing priorities
+        
+        GET DIAGNOSTICS updated_count = ROW_COUNT;
+        RAISE NOTICE 'Set % existing tasks to medium priority (clean slate)', updated_count;
+    ELSE
+        RAISE NOTICE 'priority column does not exist, skipping initialization';
+    END IF;
+END $$;
+
+-- Note: After this migration, task_order and priority are completely independent:
+-- - task_order: Visual positioning in drag-and-drop operations only
+-- - priority: Semantic importance (critical, high, medium, low) only
+-- 
+-- Clean slate approach: All existing tasks start with 'medium' priority
+-- Users can explicitly set priorities as needed - no backward compatibility
+--
+-- This migration is safe to run multiple times and will not conflict
+-- with complete_setup.sql for fresh installations.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/migration/complete_setup.sql b/migration/complete_setup.sql
index 056d358a..c71772f0 100644
--- a/migration/complete_setup.sql
+++ b/migration/complete_setup.sql
@@ -700,6 +700,13 @@ EXCEPTION
     WHEN duplicate_object THEN null;
 END $$;
 
+-- Create task_priority enum if it doesn't exist
+DO $$ BEGIN
+    CREATE TYPE task_priority AS ENUM ('low', 'medium', 'high', 'critical');
+EXCEPTION
+    WHEN duplicate_object THEN null;
+END $$;
+
 -- Assignee is now a text field to allow any agent name
 -- No longer using enum to support flexible agent assignments
 
@@ -727,6 +734,7 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS archon_tasks (
   status task_status DEFAULT 'todo',
   assignee TEXT DEFAULT 'User' CHECK (assignee IS NOT NULL AND assignee != ''),
   task_order INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
+  priority task_priority DEFAULT 'medium' NOT NULL,
   feature TEXT,
   sources JSONB DEFAULT '[]'::jsonb,
   code_examples JSONB DEFAULT '[]'::jsonb,
@@ -776,6 +784,7 @@ CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_archon_tasks_project_id ON archon_tasks(project_i
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_archon_tasks_status ON archon_tasks(status);
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_archon_tasks_assignee ON archon_tasks(assignee);
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_archon_tasks_order ON archon_tasks(task_order);
+CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_archon_tasks_priority ON archon_tasks(priority);
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_archon_tasks_archived ON archon_tasks(archived);
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_archon_tasks_archived_at ON archon_tasks(archived_at);
 CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS idx_archon_project_sources_project_id ON archon_project_sources(project_id);
@@ -838,6 +847,7 @@ $$ LANGUAGE plpgsql;
 
 -- Add comments to document the soft delete fields
 COMMENT ON COLUMN archon_tasks.assignee IS 'The agent or user assigned to this task. Can be any valid agent name or "User"';
+COMMENT ON COLUMN archon_tasks.priority IS 'Task priority level independent of visual ordering - used for semantic importance (low, medium, high, critical)';
 COMMENT ON COLUMN archon_tasks.archived IS 'Soft delete flag - TRUE if task is archived/deleted';
 COMMENT ON COLUMN archon_tasks.archived_at IS 'Timestamp when task was archived';
 COMMENT ON COLUMN archon_tasks.archived_by IS 'User/system that archived the task';
diff --git a/python/src/server/api_routes/projects_api.py b/python/src/server/api_routes/projects_api.py
index df422fc0..c1c114e9 100644
--- a/python/src/server/api_routes/projects_api.py
+++ b/python/src/server/api_routes/projects_api.py
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ class CreateTaskRequest(BaseModel):
     status: str | None = "todo"
     assignee: str | None = "User"
     task_order: int | None = 0
+    priority: str | None = "medium"
     feature: str | None = None
 
 
@@ -585,6 +586,7 @@ async def list_project_tasks(
                 "status": task.get("status"),
                 "task_order": task.get("task_order"),
                 "assignee": task.get("assignee"),
+                "priority": task.get("priority"),
                 "feature": task.get("feature")
             } for task in tasks],
             "project_id": project_id,
@@ -634,6 +636,7 @@ async def create_task(request: CreateTaskRequest):
             description=request.description or "",
             assignee=request.assignee or "User",
             task_order=request.task_order or 0,
+            priority=request.priority or "medium",
             feature=request.feature,
         )
 
@@ -771,6 +774,7 @@ class UpdateTaskRequest(BaseModel):
     status: str | None = None
     assignee: str | None = None
     task_order: int | None = None
+    priority: str | None = None
     feature: str | None = None
 
 
@@ -818,6 +822,8 @@ async def update_task(task_id: str, request: UpdateTaskRequest):
             update_fields["assignee"] = request.assignee
         if request.task_order is not None:
             update_fields["task_order"] = request.task_order
+        if request.priority is not None:
+            update_fields["priority"] = request.priority
         if request.feature is not None:
             update_fields["feature"] = request.feature
 
diff --git a/python/src/server/services/projects/task_service.py b/python/src/server/services/projects/task_service.py
index 050fce22..5b4a51c0 100644
--- a/python/src/server/services/projects/task_service.py
+++ b/python/src/server/services/projects/task_service.py
@@ -42,6 +42,16 @@ class TaskService:
             return False, "Assignee must be a non-empty string"
         return True, ""
 
+    def validate_priority(self, priority: str) -> tuple[bool, str]:
+        """Validate task priority against allowed enum values"""
+        VALID_PRIORITIES = ["low", "medium", "high", "critical"]
+        if priority not in VALID_PRIORITIES:
+            return (
+                False,
+                f"Invalid priority '{priority}'. Must be one of: {', '.join(VALID_PRIORITIES)}",
+            )
+        return True, ""
+
     async def create_task(
         self,
         project_id: str,
@@ -49,6 +59,7 @@ class TaskService:
         description: str = "",
         assignee: str = "User",
         task_order: int = 0,
+        priority: str = "medium",
         feature: str | None = None,
         sources: list[dict[str, Any]] = None,
         code_examples: list[dict[str, Any]] = None,
@@ -72,6 +83,11 @@ class TaskService:
             if not is_valid:
                 return False, {"error": error_msg}
 
+            # Validate priority
+            is_valid, error_msg = self.validate_priority(priority)
+            if not is_valid:
+                return False, {"error": error_msg}
+
             task_status = "todo"
 
             # REORDERING LOGIC: If inserting at a specific position, increment existing tasks
@@ -104,6 +120,7 @@ class TaskService:
                 "status": task_status,
                 "assignee": assignee,
                 "task_order": task_order,
+                "priority": priority,
                 "sources": sources or [],
                 "code_examples": code_examples or [],
                 "created_at": datetime.now().isoformat(),
@@ -128,6 +145,7 @@ class TaskService:
                         "status": task["status"],
                         "assignee": task["assignee"],
                         "task_order": task["task_order"],
+                        "priority": task["priority"],
                         "created_at": task["created_at"],
                     }
                 }
@@ -167,7 +185,7 @@ class TaskService:
                 # Select all fields except large JSONB ones
                 query = self.supabase_client.table("archon_tasks").select(
                     "id, project_id, parent_task_id, title, description, "
-                    "status, assignee, task_order, feature, archived, "
+                    "status, assignee, task_order, priority, feature, archived, "
                     "archived_at, archived_by, created_at, updated_at, "
                     "sources, code_examples"  # Still fetch for counting, but will process differently
                 )
@@ -279,6 +297,7 @@ class TaskService:
                     "status": task["status"],
                     "assignee": task.get("assignee", "User"),
                     "task_order": task.get("task_order", 0),
+                    "priority": task.get("priority", "medium"),
                     "feature": task.get("feature"),
                     "created_at": task["created_at"],
                     "updated_at": task["updated_at"],
@@ -371,6 +390,12 @@ class TaskService:
                     return False, {"error": error_msg}
                 update_data["assignee"] = update_fields["assignee"]
 
+            if "priority" in update_fields:
+                is_valid, error_msg = self.validate_priority(update_fields["priority"])
+                if not is_valid:
+                    return False, {"error": error_msg}
+                update_data["priority"] = update_fields["priority"]
+
             if "task_order" in update_fields:
                 update_data["task_order"] = update_fields["task_order"]