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TaskPaper

Plain-text task management

TaskPaper is a plain-text task manager for your Mac, suited to you if you prefer typing lists and organizing projects without a complex setup.

by Hog Bay Software · 98% positive (305)

What you get

Turn typed lists into organized tasks you can find and act on.

TaskPaper gives you a place to turn a typed list into an organized plan. You can group tasks into projects, keep notes alongside them, and indent steps beneath larger tasks. Simple punctuation handles the formatting as you type, so you spend less time arranging your list. When you finish something, you can mark it done and see it crossed out.

As your lists grow, you can narrow them by tag, item type, or text instead of reading through everything. Tags let you pull together work items or priorities across projects, while collapsible sections let you hide details until you need them. More detailed search expressions help you isolate specific sets of tasks.

You also keep your lists in plain text, so you can edit them outside TaskPaper. For dated tasks, you can exchange items with Apple Reminders rather than keeping every deadline only in your list.

  • Capture tasks while typing

    You can turn lines of text into projects and tasks using simple punctuation, with less clicking to arrange your list.

  • Keep project details together

    You can nest smaller steps under tasks and keep related notes nearby, then collapse sections for a shorter overview.

  • Find your next task

    You can filter by tags, item type, or content to see relevant tasks without scanning every project.

  • Move deadlines into Reminders

    You can exchange dated tasks with Apple Reminders so they aren't confined to your text list.

Best for

  • You prefer typing to-dos over filling in task forms
  • You organize projects with nested steps and notes
  • You want task lists you can edit as plain text

Skip it if

You don't need it if a basic checklist already handles your tasks and you have no use for tags, nested projects, or filtered views.

Screenshots

From the developer

Getting Things Done couldn’t be any simpler with TaskPaper. Make plain text lists of everything important to you, easy editable anywhere. The interface is distraction-free so you can concentrate on tasks rather than complex settings. So here’s your first simple to-do list: Install TaskPaper Type in tasks Enjoy.
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