I would like to be able to do the following to an individual machine (one of many):

Tell it to detach from a project, but not until all downloaded WUs have been completed and returned.

Or even more simply, being able to tell a particular machine (by project) "No new tasks". Then I could tell it to detach from a project if I could tell when there were no WUs left. I guess that could be determined from the project's web site, finding that machine, and looking to see if any are any still "in progress".

Basically the same as going to the machine and selecting the project, selecting "No new tasks", waiting for the WUs to be returned, and then detaching.

This would allow me to take a machine out of a project in a more clean and friendly (to the project) manner. Also, It would allow me to do so without losing any acumulated time/credits. These both are particularly critical for long running WUs (climateprediction is a prime example).

So...is this possible today, and I (likely) missed how to do it? Or if not, can I add it to the list of RFEs (if it isn't already)?

TIA

During the conference in in Geneva I have requested that both features (deplete WU stack and no-new-work) will be implemented in the BOINC client. No-new-work project will be implemented, deplete+detach probably not.
I will probably use the tactic you outline: set the project to no-new-work, then after a week detach.

Thanks! Any idea about when No-new-work project will be implemented?

Probably in the 5.7.x development series and 5.8.x public series.

Now that 5.8.11 is out, any news on this?

Thanks!

I forwarded your question to the BOINC devs last week, no response yet.

Does this get us what we need in the client?

BOINC 5.8.16 released for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

[...]
- core client: add bool detach_when_done to PROJECT.
If set, detach from project when it has not results
(i.e. when all work is finished and acknowledged).
Save/restore in client state file.
- core client: add optional <detach_when_done>
and <dont_request_more_work> flags to account element
in account manager reply messages.
See acct_mgt.php
[...]

It will be included in a to-be-released 5.8.x version, then all what's needed is some time from me.

But you just had your holidays, didn't you use it properly with lot's of programming apres-ski? ;D

Welcome back, Willy, hope you enjoyed the alps!