Tasks.txt
Tasks.txt is a native macOS productivity app for managing tasks in a plain text file with keyboard-first workflows and local storage.
What is Tasks.txt?
Tasks.txt is a native Mac productivity app built for people who want to manage tasks in a plain text file instead of a proprietary task database. It uses a simple text-based workflow with focused sections for current work, backlog items, and completed tasks, helping users keep attention on what to do next. The app is designed for keyboard-driven task management, with shortcuts for moving tasks, marking them done, searching, and switching views quickly. It also includes a scratchpad for notes and ideas that do not belong in the task list. Tasks and notes are stored locally on the Mac in readable text files, so they can also be opened in other editors or included in backup and sync workflows. Tasks.txt is well suited to users who prefer lightweight, local-first organization on macOS.
Key features
- Manage tasks in a plain text file stored locally on your Mac
- Move tasks between active and backlog sections with keyboard shortcuts
- Mark tasks as done and keep completed items visible until they are archived
- Search your task list quickly without leaving the app
- Use a built-in scratchpad for notes and quick text capture
- Filter tasks with project-style labels in the text file
Review app leftovers with diCleaner
Inspect caches, support files, containers, and login items before cleaning.
Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
Tasks.txt stores its task list and scratchpad as local plain text files on your Mac and is designed around offline use. That local-first design is normal for its purpose and can be a privacy advantage, but your tasks may still contain sensitive work or personal notes, so you should protect them with your usual Mac account security and backups. Removing the app can leave your text files in place unless you delete them separately.
Recommendation: Keep Tasks.txt if you use a plain text task workflow or want a lightweight Mac task manager with local files. Remove it if you no longer use it, and check whether you want to keep or back up your task and scratchpad files before cleaning up related data.
Common paths
/Applications/Tasks.txt.app~/Documents/tasks-txt/tasks.txt~/Documents/tasks-txt/scratch.txt
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