There was documents exchanged between Machidai and the Kyoto city magistrates called 'Machidaiyaku no Oboe' consisting of 17 Articles compiled on January 7, 1669 (prior to the establishment of the Kyoto city magistrates), which states duties of Machidai as follows: Outside works of transmission of ordinance and notification issued by the city magistrates, submission of various applications and written reports entrusted by the town, New Year visit to the shogun in Edo-jo Castle as a representative of Kyoto citizens, collection of levy from towns, examination of the scene of a fire and a confiscated estate, and patrol; and Machidai alternately does desk works in Machidai room of the Kyoto city magistrates' office to assist court clerical on the day when a court is held.
京都町奉行の成立に先立つ寛文8年12月5日(旧暦)に作成された「町代役之覚」という17ヶ条の町代と町奉行間で交わされた文書によると、町奉行から出された法令・触書の伝達、町から出された様々な請願・届出の提出、京都市民を代表して江戸城の征夷大将軍への年頭拝礼、町人役（町々への賦課）の徴収、火災・闕所・見廻などの出役などがあり、訴訟事務などのために公事・訴訟が行われる日には交替で1名が奉行所内の町代部屋に出仕して事務処理の補佐を行った。