Get Things Done

How this tool is structured

The top of this page is the full GTD app (100% local-first). Below you’ll find a short guide, shortcuts, and privacy notes—so the tool is usable immediately, but still has helpful documentation.

Quick start (5 minutes)

  1. 1) Capture everything into Inbox (don’t organize yet).
  2. 2) Clarify each item into a next action or Someday.
  3. 3) Organize into Next / Waiting / Someday / Agendas.
  4. 4) Engage by picking one Next action and doing it.
  5. 5) Review daily (Inbox → Next) and weekly (Waiting + Someday + Agendas).

Daily (2–5 min)

  • Process Inbox to zero (or as low as possible).
  • Keep Next small: 3–10 real actions.
  • Check Waiting for follow-ups.

Weekly (10–20 min)

  • Review Someday and delete what you won’t do.
  • Scan Agendas (@people) before meetings.
  • Ensure each project has a clear next action.

Workflow

  • Capture everything quickly into Inbox.
  • Triage into Next, Waiting, Someday, or Agendas.
  • Use tags like @person, #project, @@context, ~time, and !energy.

Keyboard shortcuts

  • Ctrl/Cmd + 1–5 switches list inside the Add modal.
  • Esc closes overlays.
  • Enter confirms focused actions (e.g. autocomplete).

Privacy

This tool stores data locally in your browser (IndexedDB). No account, no server sync, and nothing is uploaded by default.

Reset

To wipe local data, clear this site’s storage in your browser settings (Site data / Local storage / IndexedDB). Use this if you want a clean slate.

What you can do with this GTD tool

This is a lightweight implementation of GTD for real work. It’s optimized for quick capture, clean triage, and fast retrieval without distractions.

Capture in seconds

Add tasks quickly, then sort them later. Use tags inline to avoid extra clicks.

Triage to the right list

Move items from Inbox into Next, Waiting, Someday, or Agendas so your day stays focused.

Filter by people & context

Track who you’re waiting on and what you can do in a specific context (home, office, phone).

Common use cases

Solo builder

Keep #projects tagged and store only the next step in Next. Example: Draft landing hero #marketing @@laptop ~30min.

Team lead

Track follow-ups in Waiting: Waiting for @Sarah on #design. Use Agendas for 1:1 topics per person.

Student

Break assignments into next actions: Outline essay #history ~45min and tag context like @@library.

Freelancer / client work

Use projects per client: #client-acme. Keep meeting notes as agenda items: @Acme next call: scope + timeline.

Recommended tagging format

  • @person for ownership or delegation
  • #project to keep related work together
  • @@context like office, home, phone
  • ~time like ~30min or ~2h
  • !energy as !low, !med, !high

Copy/paste examples

Call @"Ali Khan" about #website-redesign @@phone ~10min !low
Write PRD for #onboarding @@laptop ~2h !high
Waiting for @Sarah on #design @@office
Agenda @Acme: scope, timeline, blockers

Data, export, and backup

Your tasks live in your browser (IndexedDB). Use the Settings screen inside the tool to export JSON as a backup, or import it to restore on the same device/browser profile.

Recommended backup routine

  • Export once a week (or before switching devices).
  • Store the JSON in a folder you already back up (Drive/iCloud).
  • Import only on a fresh browser profile to avoid confusion.

Privacy & storage (more detail)

Everything is stored locally in your browser via IndexedDB. This keeps the tool fast, private, and usable without an account.

Stored locally

  • Tasks + lists
  • Tags, contexts, and metadata
  • Settings inside the tool

Not stored

  • Accounts or passwords
  • Cloud sync (by default)
  • Server-side task history

Troubleshooting

  • Incognito usually clears tasks when closed.
  • Clearing site data resets everything (use Export first if you want a backup).
  • Different device/browser profile means a different local database (use Export/Import).

FAQ

Does this sync across devices?

Not by default. This tool is local-first, so it stays fast and private. If you want a manual backup workflow, export JSON from Settings and import it on another device.

Is my data sent to Softaims?

No. Your tasks are stored locally in your browser (IndexedDB). Nothing is uploaded by default.

How do I back up my tasks?

Open Settings inside the tool and use Export JSON. Save the file to your drive. To restore, use Import JSON on the same browser profile or another device.

Why did my tasks disappear?

Most of the time this happens after clearing site data, using private/incognito mode, switching browser profiles, or using a different device. If you exported a backup, you can restore via Import JSON.

Does incognito/private mode keep my tasks?

Usually no. Many browsers clear site storage when you close an incognito session. Use a regular window for persistent storage.

What’s the best daily routine?

Capture into Inbox during the day, then do a quick evening (or mid-day) triage into Next/Waiting/Someday/Agendas. Keep Next small and concrete.

What’s a good weekly review checklist?

Empty Inbox, review Waiting (follow-ups), prune Someday, scan Agendas, and ensure each active project has at least one Next action.

How should I write a “Next action”?

Use a visible verb and a concrete outcome, like “Email @Ali about #pricing page” or “Draft outline for #podcast episode”. If it has multiple steps, tag it to a project and store only the next step in Next.

Which tags does this tool support?

Use inline tags like @person, #project, @@context, ~time, and !energy to make sorting and filtering faster.