How to use ToDo.txt - do list for minimalists

Now there is a huge number of different management tasks for all tastes. However, they have a disadvantage: their efficiency does not depend on you. And in case of liquidation of a loved one service will have to relearn a different program. If you are not satisfied with such a prospect, try ToDo.txt.

What is ToDo.txt

This is not a program or a web application. This task management system, for which only a fairly simple text file in TXT format. I came up its developer and blogger Gina trypan.

The essence of this system are as follows: you write your business in TXT a file, line by line, and mark the completed an x. If necessary, you can add tags and context to group tasks. Here, in general, and all. An ideal tool for time management minimalists.

ToDo.txt The beauty is that you can control your tasks with only one "Notepad" - do not even need to install anything else. However, enthusiasts have yet developed for To. Do.txt many customers that do the job with the tasks more convenient. For example, they light up the dates and priorities, automatically grouping cases on the lists, and so on.

What are the pros ToDo.txt

This method of recording cases there are a number of advantages - these are the main ones:

1. Versatility. Your list is stored in a plain text file. And it can be opened on any device - even on very old and thin. Although ToDo.txt created many convenient client for all platforms, you can easily do without them.
2. Simplicity. To work with ToDo.txt, just remember only four characters - brackets for placement priorities plus sign for project groups @ tag assignment and x (the letter "X") to mark of completed tasks. No clever interfaces, there is not and can not be.
3. Independence. Your tasks are stored you personally. Text todo.txt a file does not ask for money, do not offer upgrade to the premium version and is not reported on the closure at the wrong time.

How to write the task in ToDo.txt

ToDo.txt principle states that your tasks are stored in a text document todo.txt. Just write down things in the file (one item per line). In addition, you can provide them with tags and priorities for a more informative. Here is an example of a simple list compiled in the "Notepad":

ToDo.txt best stored in Dropbox, Google Drive, or any other cloud your choice: so do list will always be at hand.

Setting priorities

In ToDo.txt can assign tasks priorities. So you'll see what kind of things are particularly important and which are not, is not getting a grasp in the content items. To set the priority, precede paragraph letter A, B, C and so on, concluding it in parentheses. Here's how it would look:

Most ToDo.txt customers can sort your tasks by priority, so do not forget to affix them. It is, in principle, not necessary, but helpful.

The grouping of project tasks

Cases should be grouped by project or topic, to which they belong: it will quickly understand them. To include the problem to a particular project, put it after the + sign and immediately, without a space, select a word. Like this:

As it became clear from the last paragraph, the same task can refer to two or more projects.

tagging

Sometimes projects alone are not enough to sort out your problem. In this case, use tags. They added the @ symbol. It looks like this:

They, too, can add as much as necessary.

Completing tasks

When you have completed some task, it must be marked as completed. To do this, place the beginning of paragraph letter x ( «X»).

The alignment of timing

If the case has deadline, You can add it by writing the word and the due date in the format year - month - number (due: YYYY-MM-DD).

Formatting task list

Of course, all of these elements can be used together to appoint a task priorities, projects, and tags to mark the finished case. As a result, your ToDo.txt will look something like this:

What ToDo.txt application can be used

ToDo.txt application is, for a variety of platforms. All of them weigh little, simple and almost identical in terms of interface and control. And keep track of tasks will be easier with the help of these programs than simply "Notepad." Here are the main ones.

1. todotxt.net

todotxt.net - a great client for Windows 10. Able to work with hotkeys. Filters the list by date, priority and context.

Upload todotxt.net →

2. TodoTxtMac

TodoTxtMac allows lists in MacOS. As expected from the program for the Mac, it is very comfortable and beautiful. It has an advanced custom filter system, so you do not get stuck in your task-list, even if there are dozens of items.

Upload TodoTxtMac →

3. DayTasks

Application for Ubuntu and based on its systems. Minimalist and simple. Boasts a custom filter as the previous two candidates can not, but still quite clearly.

Upload DayTasks →

4. Todo. TXT Plus

Todo. TXT Plus - an extension for a text editor Atom. With it you can add items to the list while you work with the text: just switch between tabs with the workers and todo.txt files in one window.

Download Todo. TXT Plus →

5. Simpletask

Simpletask - client for Android. Can work with Dropbox and Nextcloud. In addition to the application, also provides a widget to the home screen. Prioritize tasks colors and sorts things by date, category or context.

DownloadQR-Code

Simpletask Dropbox

Developer: Mark Janssen

Price: Free

6. Markor

Markor - powerful, advanced notebook for Android. It can be used to write notes in Markdown-format, it also can display and ToDo.txt. The app has a handy button panel to facilitate the formatting of the list of tasks. However, it can not synchronize with the cloud, so it is better to use it in conjunction with Autosync to Dropbox or Google Drive.

DownloadQR-Code

Markor: Markdown Editor - todo.txt - Notes Offline

Developer: gregor Santner

Price: Free

7. Todo.txt

Affairs Manager with an attractive interface that syncs with google Drive or Dropbox. It has a customizable filter system for grouping tasks by context or content. It is easy to send any text using button "Share", so that you can quickly add to the list of Internet links, titles of books, which gathered to read, and other small items.

DownloadQR-Code

Todo.txt for Android - take your todo.txt with you

Developer: aditya Bhaskar

Price: Free

8. Todotxt +

Todotxt + - a beautiful and convenient client for iOS that supports synchronization via Dropbox. The editor allows you to simultaneously create several items in a task list. There are filters and sorting tasks, but, unfortunately, only in version Pro.

DownloadQR-Code

Todotxt +

Developer: Arvindh Sukumar

Price: Free