diff --git a/src/tools/crud.ts b/src/tools/crud.ts
index c014f77..809892c 100644
--- a/src/tools/crud.ts
+++ b/src/tools/crud.ts
@@ -282,6 +282,9 @@ export async function taskList(args: TaskListArgs): Promise<string> {
   if (status) {
     whereClause += ` AND status = $${paramIndex++}`;
     params.push(status);
+  } else {
+    // Default: exclude completed tasks when no status filter provided
+    whereClause += ` AND status != 'completed'`;
   }
   if (type) {
     whereClause += ` AND type = $${paramIndex++}`;
diff --git a/src/tools/index.ts b/src/tools/index.ts
index 8510982..7edc02d 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: ['pending', 'open', 'in_progress', 'testing', 'blocked', 'completed'], description: 'Filter by status' },
+        status: { type: 'string', enum: ['open', 'in_progress', 'testing', 'blocked', 'completed'], description: 'Filter by status. Omit to show all non-completed tasks.' },
         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: ['pending', 'open', 'in_progress', 'testing', 'blocked', 'completed'], description: 'New status' },
+        status: { type: 'string', enum: ['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' },