I had to do this to get some testing tasks to complete after the first one failed with

In client_state.xml you should increase either <flops> in the <app_version> block or <rsc_fpops_est> in each of the <workunit> blocks.

after the first one came up with this in the manager.

Aborted Run time exceeded.

Is there a guide to client_state.xml that I can peruse without having to ask on the moderators list each time something new comes up in testing?

And yes I do understand that there are good reasons not to encourage people to mess with client_state.xml!

And yes I do understand that there are good reasons not to encourage people to mess with client_state.xml!

https://boinc.berkeley.edu/wiki/Client_configuration#Application_configuration

And yes I do understand that there are good reasons not to encourage people to mess with client_state.xml!

https://boinc.berkeley.edu/wiki/Client_configuration#Application_configuration

I did look there but couldn't find anything on all the options for individual tasks and or applications in client_state.xml.

I did get answers from the moderators email list from CPDN and successfully get remaining tasks to finish after the first one crashed with Exit status 197 (0x000000C5) EXIT_TIME_LIMIT_EXCEEDED but unless I am being particularly obtuse couldn't and still can't see it on the linked page.

Depends on the project how long reported work is kept visible on web pages. Some projects flush the database within 24 hours. Some leave reported tasks visible for two weeks.
Nothing you have any control over.