diff --git a/migrations/019_add_pending_status.sql b/migrations/019_add_pending_status.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c588f5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/019_add_pending_status.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+-- Add "pending" as valid task status
+--
+-- Migration: 019_add_pending_status
+-- Purpose: Add "pending" status to support tasks awaiting approval/dependencies
+--
+-- Status meanings:
+--   - pending: Created, awaiting approval or dependencies
+--   - open: Approved and ready to start
+--   - in_progress: Currently being worked on
+--   - testing: Implementation complete, being tested
+--   - blocked: Stuck waiting for something
+--   - completed: Done
+--
+-- Related: MCP error when trying to set status="pending"
+
+-- Drop existing constraint
+ALTER TABLE tasks DROP CONSTRAINT IF EXISTS tasks_status_check;
+
+-- Add new constraint with pending status
+ALTER TABLE tasks ADD CONSTRAINT tasks_status_check
+    CHECK (status IN ('pending', 'open', 'in_progress', 'testing', 'blocked', 'completed'));
diff --git a/src/tools/index.ts b/src/tools/index.ts
index bb3a311..bd63dae 100644
--- a/src/tools/index.ts
+++ b/src/tools/index.ts
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export const toolDefinitions = [
       type: 'object',
       properties: {
         project: { type: 'string', description: 'Filter by project key' },
-        status: { type: 'string', enum: ['open', 'in_progress', 'testing', 'blocked', 'completed'], description: 'Filter by status' },
+        status: { type: 'string', enum: ['pending', 'open', 'in_progress', 'testing', 'blocked', 'completed'], description: 'Filter by status' },
         type: { type: 'string', enum: ['task', 'bug', 'feature', 'debt', 'investigation'], description: 'Filter by type' },
         priority: { type: 'string', enum: ['P0', 'P1', 'P2', 'P3'], description: 'Filter by priority' },
         limit: { type: 'number', description: 'Max results (default: 20)' },
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ export const toolDefinitions = [
       type: 'object',
       properties: {
         id: { type: 'string', description: 'Task ID to update' },
-        status: { type: 'string', enum: ['open', 'in_progress', 'testing', 'blocked', 'completed'], description: 'New status' },
+        status: { type: 'string', enum: ['pending', 'open', 'in_progress', 'testing', 'blocked', 'completed'], description: 'New status' },
         priority: { type: 'string', enum: ['P0', 'P1', 'P2', 'P3'], description: 'New priority' },
         type: { type: 'string', enum: ['task', 'bug', 'feature', 'debt', 'investigation'], description: 'New type' },
         title: { type: 'string', description: 'New title' },