todo.txt for MAC
Free, open-source command-line to-do list that keeps your tasks in a plain text file you control. Installs with Homebrew.
todo.txt Overview
todo.txt CLI is a simple shell script, todo.sh, for managing your to-do list in Terminal. Your tasks live in a plain text file called todo.txt, one task per line, so you can also open and edit them in any text editor on any system, and no app or company owns your data. The script adds, lists, prioritises, completes and archives tasks with a few keystrokes, and supports projects (+project), contexts (@context) and dates. It is the command-line companion of the todo.txt format, which many other apps on phones and desktops can read too.
todo.txt CLI is free and open source under the GPL-3.0 license, maintained by the todotxt project on GitHub. On a Mac the easiest way to install it is Homebrew: brew install todo-txt, then copy the sample configuration to your home folder. It needs no account, no server and no internet connection.
Key Features
todo.txt CLI turns a plain text file into a fast task manager.
- Plain text: tasks stay in todo.txt, readable in any editor and easy to back up or sync.
- Quick commands: add, list, do, pri, replace and more, with short aliases.
- Priorities: give tasks a priority from A to Z and list them in order.
- Projects and contexts: tag tasks with +project and @context, then filter by them.
- Archive: move finished tasks to done.txt to keep the list short.
- Colours: highlight priorities, dates, projects and contexts in Terminal.
- Tab completion: Bash completion for actions, projects and contexts.
- Add-ons: extend todo.sh with your own custom actions.
What’s New in Version 2.14.0
todo.txt CLI 2.14.0 adds an option, improves compatibility and fixes several issues.
- TODOTXT_DEFAULT_ACTION now also allows action parameters
- Better compatibility with the non-GNU sed found on BSD systems and Busybox
- make install now puts the Bash completion in the right folder, and make uninstall works again
- Configured file locations can now be overridden
- Security fix: todo.sh no longer reads its version file from the current folder
todo.txt FAQ
Is todo.txt free?
Yes. todo.txt CLI is free and open source under the GPL-3.0 license.
How do I install todo.txt on a Mac?
With Homebrew: run brew install todo-txt, then copy the sample configuration with cp -n $(brew --prefix)/opt/todo-txt/todo.cfg ~/.todo.cfg. You can also download the latest release from GitHub.
How do I add a task?
Run todo.sh add "Thing I need to do +project @context". The task is added as a new line in todo.txt.
How do I mark a task as done?
Run todo.sh do followed by the task number shown by todo.sh list. Finished tasks can be moved to done.txt with todo.sh archive.
What is the todo.txt format?
It is a simple set of rules for a plain text task list: one task per line, with optional priority, creation and completion dates, +projects and @contexts. It is both human- and machine-readable.
Can I edit todo.txt in a text editor?
Yes. The file is plain text, so you can open and change it in any text editor on any operating system.
Can I sync my todo.txt between devices?
Yes. Put the file in a synced folder such as iCloud Drive or Dropbox and point todo.sh to it with the TODO_DIR setting in your configuration file.
Do I need an account or internet connection?
No. todo.txt CLI works entirely on your Mac with local files.
Can I add my own commands?
Yes. todo.sh supports add-on actions, so you can write custom commands and use them like the built-in ones.
Where does the todo.txt download on todotxt.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official todo.txt CLI repository on GitHub at https://github.com/todotxt/todo.txt-cli. todotxt.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the script.
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