Product Overview: Todo.txt
Introduction
Todo.txt is a simple, yet powerful task management system that utilizes plain text files to organize and track your to-do lists. This system is designed to be highly flexible, application-independent, and easy to use, making it an ideal solution for individuals seeking a straightforward and effective way to manage their tasks.
Key Features
Priority Management
Todo.txt allows you to assign priorities to your tasks using uppercase letters enclosed in parentheses, such as (A) through (Z). This ensures that the most important tasks are highlighted and easily identifiable.
Project and Context Tagging
Tasks can be associated with specific projects and contexts using simple notation. Projects are indicated by a symbol followed by the project name (e.g., GarageSale), while contexts are marked with an @ symbol (e.g., @phone or @GroceryStore). This enables you to filter and organize tasks based on the project or context in which they belong.
Date Management
Todo.txt supports the inclusion of creation and completion dates. The creation date can be added after the priority (if present), in the format YYYY-MM-DD. Completed tasks are marked with an x followed by the completion date, and optionally the creation date, allowing for easy sorting and tracking of task completion times.
Additional Attributes and Extensions
Tasks can also include additional attributes such as due dates (e.g., due:2019-03-13) and recurrence intervals (e.g., rec:3m for every 3 months). These key-value pairs enhance the functionality of your to-do list by providing more detailed information about each task.
Functionality
Human and Machine Readability
Todo.txt files are both human-readable and machine-readable, making them compatible with any text editor or application that can handle plain text files. This includes simple editors like Windows Notepad, Ubuntu Leafpad, and more advanced editors like Notepad .
Filtering and Sorting
The system allows for easy filtering and sorting of tasks based on priorities, projects, contexts, and dates. This can be done manually or using specialized tools and scripts, such as the todo.sh command line script or plugins for text editors like Sublime Text.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Todo.txt files can be easily moved between different devices and platforms, including PCs, smartphones, and tablets, thanks to their plain text format. This makes it a highly portable and versatile task management solution.
Optional Done.txt File
For managing completed tasks, Todo.txt suggests using a separate file called done.txt. This file can be used to archive completed tasks, keeping your main todo.txt file focused on current and pending tasks.
Conclusion
Todo.txt offers a robust yet simple task management system that is highly customizable and adaptable to various workflows. Its use of plain text files ensures compatibility across a wide range of devices and applications, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a flexible and effective way to manage their to-do lists.