Fixed task configuration with None as context parameter

src/crewai/project/crew_base.py

@@ -259,10 +259,14 @@ def _map_task_variables(
             callback_functions: dict[str, Callable],
             output_pydantic_functions: dict[str, Callable],
         ) -> None:
+
             if context_list := task_info.get("context"):
-                self.tasks_config[task_name]["context"] = [
-                    tasks[context_task_name]() for context_task_name in context_list
-                ]
+                if isinstance(context_list, list):
+                    self.tasks_config[task_name]["context"] = [
+                        tasks[context_task_name]() for context_task_name in context_list
+                    ]
+                elif isinstance(context_list,str) and context_list == 'None':
+                    self.tasks_config[task_name]["context"] = None
 
             if tools := task_info.get("tools"):
                 self.tasks_config[task_name]["tools"] = [

tests/config/tasks_with_none_context.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+research_task:
+  description: >
+    Conduct a thorough research about {topic}
+    Make sure you find any interesting and relevant information given
+    the current year is 2025.
+  expected_output: >
+    A list with 10 bullet points of the most relevant information about {topic}
+  agent: researcher
+  guardrail: ensure each bullet contains its source
+
+reporting_task:
+  description: >
+    Review the context you got and expand each topic into a full section for a report.
+    Make sure the report is detailed and contains any and all relevant information.
+  expected_output: >
+    A fully fledge reports with the mains topics, each with a full section of information.
+    Formatted as markdown without '```'
+  agent: reporting_analyst
+  context: None

tests/test_project.py

@@ -107,6 +107,54 @@ def researcher(self):
         )  # type: ignore[index]
 
 
+@CrewBase
+class CrewWithTaskContextNone:
+    agents_config = "config/agents.yaml"
+    tasks_config = "config/tasks_with_none_context.yaml"
+
+    agents: list[BaseAgent]
+    tasks: list[Task]
+
+    @llm
+    def local_llm(self):
+        return LLM(
+            model="openai/model_name",
+            api_key="None",
+            base_url="http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:8000/v1",
+        )
+
+    @agent
+    def researcher(self):
+        return Agent(config=self.agents_config["researcher"])  # type: ignore[index]
+
+    @agent
+    def reporting_analyst(self):
+        return Agent(config=self.agents_config["reporting_analyst"])  # type: ignore[index]
+
+    @task
+    def research_task(self):
+        return Task(config=self.tasks_config["research_task"])  # type: ignore[index]
+
+    @task
+    def reporting_task(self):
+        return Task(config=self.tasks_config["reporting_task"])  # type: ignore[index]
+
+    @before_kickoff
+    def modify_inputs(self, inputs):
+        if inputs:
+            inputs["topic"] = "Bicycles"
+        return inputs
+
+    @after_kickoff
+    def modify_outputs(self, outputs):
+        outputs.raw = outputs.raw + " post processed"
+        return outputs
+
+    @crew
+    def crew(self):
+        return Crew(agents=self.agents, tasks=self.tasks, verbose=True)
+
+
 def test_agent_memoization():
     crew = SimpleCrew()
     first_call_result = crew.simple_agent()
@@ -287,3 +335,11 @@ def test_internal_crew_with_mcp():
     adapter_mock.assert_called_once_with(
         {"host": "localhost", "port": 8000}, connect_timeout=120
     )
+
+
+def test_crew_with_task_context_none():
+    crew = CrewWithTaskContextNone()
+    task_with_context_none = crew.reporting_task()
+
+    assert task_with_context_none.context is None
+    assert task_with_context_none.context != 'None'