Tasks.txt
Plain text task manager for macOS that uses the todo.txt format. It is a native Swift app with keyboard-driven workflows, no cloud sync, no account required, and stores everything in a plain text file you own.
Key features
- ✓Plain text todo.txt format stored in ~/Documents/tasks-txt/tasks.txt
- ✓Keyboard shortcuts for all actions: navigate, edit, toggle done, move tasks, search, filter
- ✓Built-in scratchpad (⌘3) for notes and ideas stored as scratch.txt
- ✓Automatic grouping of tasks into Done, Upcoming, and Backlog sections
- ✓Bulk add mode (⌘B) for quickly entering multiple tasks
- ✓Search (⌘F) and filter by project labels (+project)
- ✓Drag & drop reordering of tasks
- ✓No cloud sync, no account, no telemetry, no analytics
Use cases
- →Daily task management without context switching to a heavy app
- →Maintaining a version-controlled task list in Git
- →Quick note-taking alongside task tracking with the scratchpad
- →Keyboard-only workflow for productivity-focused power users
Pricing
Free
$0
- · Full app access, no limitations
Free download on the Mac App Store – no subscription, no in-app purchases.
Pros
- +Extremely fast – native Swift, no Electron, loads instantly
- +Full data ownership – plain text file readable in any editor, grep-able, version-controllable
- +Free – no subscription, no in-app purchases
- +No account or cloud sync required, ensuring privacy
- +Keyboard-driven with a comprehensive set of shortcuts
- +Built-in scratchpad for non-task notes
Cons
- −macOS only (requires macOS 13 Ventura or later)
- −No cloud sync (may be a con for users who want device cross-sync)
- −No collaboration or sharing features
- −No mobile app
Positioning
- Core value: A blazingly fast, keyboard-driven plain text task manager that stays out of your way and gives you complete ownership of your data.
- Ideal for: macOS users who prefer plain text task management, developers, productivity enthusiasts
- Product type: Native macOS app (macOS 13+)
Frequently asked questions
What file format does tasks.txt use?
Plain text, inspired by todo.txt. Each task is one line. Completed tasks get an x prefix and a done:YYYY-MM-DD date. Tasks marked upcoming:true surface at the top of your list. Add +project tags for label filtering and note:"..." for inline notes. Every field is human-readable in any text editor.
Does tasks.txt sync to the cloud?
No. Tasks live in ~/Documents/tasks-txt/tasks.txt on your Mac. You own the file — back it up with Time Machine, sync it with Dropbox, or version-control it in Git.
Is tasks.txt free?
Yes — free download on the Mac App Store. No subscription, no in-app purchases.
What macOS version is required?
macOS 13 Ventura or later. Native Swift — no web wrapper or Electron runtime needed.
How is it different from Things or OmniFocus?
tasks.txt stores everything in a plain text file you own. No proprietary database, no vendor lock-in. You can read, edit, and search your tasks in any text editor — the app just adds keyboard shortcuts on top.
How does tasks.txt handle completed tasks?
Mark a task done with ⌘↩ and it moves to the Done section at the top of the list — visible for the rest of the day. Each morning the slate clears: completed tasks move to an archive file so your history is preserved without cluttering the next day.
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