tda

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What tda is

tda is a free, open-source TODO tree application for capturing and managing work in a terminal. It stores tasks in a local database without an account, server, or setup. Tasks can be arranged in hierarchies of any depth, alongside a separate graph for blocked-by dependencies. Batch entry supports assignees, tags, due dates, and recurrence in task titles. Tasks also have statuses, notes, schedules, estimates, assignments, attachments, time logs, and static references to external issues such as GitHub or Jira, without live synchronization. The keyboard-only terminal interface handles editing, searching, assignment, reordering, and subtree operations. Saved or derived views and rollups summarize progress, estimates, time spent, and due dates. Markdown and JSON import/export are available. A scriptable CLI provides structured JSON and agent commands for finding, claiming, and updating work. The project is an early build; HTTP API and MCP server support are planned. Apache-2.0 licensing permits free use.

Who it suits

It suits people and AI agents that manage hierarchical tasks from a terminal. Its local-first design fits users who do not want an account or server.

What it does well

Local database needs no account or server
Supports unlimited-depth task hierarchies
Offers blocked-by dependency relationships
Imports and exports Markdown or JSON
CLI provides structured agent workflows

What to know first

Described as an early build
HTTP API is only planned
MCP server is only planned
External issues do not synchronize live

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
tda	No paid plans or pricing are stated; Apache-2.0 licensed	Free

As github.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

tda combines deep task structure with local storage and agent-oriented CLI commands. It is a free option for terminal workflows, though some interfaces remain roadmap items.

Facts from tda's own pages

Agent integration: AI agents can use the scriptable CLI and structured JSON output; an HTTP API and MCP server are listed as planned milestones. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Agent workflow: The CLI provides structured JSON output and commands for finding claimable work, claiming tasks, viewing task context, and appending progress notes. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Capture and import: Users can batch-create tasks from indented text and import or export lists and branches as Markdown or JSON. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Concurrent use: When the TUI is open, CLI commands can forward over a local Unix socket so a human and agent can work against the same store. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
External issue references: Tasks can hold static references to external issues such as GitHub or Jira issues, with no live synchronization. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Import and export: Any list or branch can be imported from or exported to Markdown and JSON. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Integration: AI agents can use tda through its scriptable CLI, and the repository provides an installable tda skill for agent workflows. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
License: The public repository identifies its license as Apache-2.0. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Local storage: The app creates and uses a local database without an account, server, or setup. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Maker: The GitHub profile identifies the maker as David Bernard and lists France as the location. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Planned interfaces: An HTTP API and MCP server are listed as planned roadmap milestones, not current features. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Platform availability: The maker provides prebuilt binaries for macOS Apple Silicon and Intel, and Linux, plus macOS/Linux shell installation instructions. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Product: tda is a local-first TODO tree application for people and AI agents, designed for task capture in the terminal. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Product status: The README describes tda as an early build, and its roadmap lists the HTTP API and MCP server as planned. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Recurring tasks: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Release integrity: The release page says its artifacts have GitHub Artifact Attestations that users can verify with the GitHub CLI. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Security and privacy: The maker describes tda as local-first with no account or server and calls its data store local and trusted. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Storage and privacy: The app creates and uses a local database without an account or server, storing data in the operating system's standard data directory. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Subtasks: Yes · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Supported downloads: Release binaries are listed for Apple Silicon and Intel macOS, x64 Windows, and ARM64 and x64 Linux. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: macos,linux · github.com, 22 Sept 2026
Task capture: Users can add tasks in batches and enter assignees, tags, due dates, and recurrence inline in task titles. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Task features: Tasks can include status, notes, schedules, estimates, tags, assignments, recurrence, issue references, attachments, and time logs. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Task organization: Tasks support arbitrary-depth hierarchies and an independent dependency graph for blocked-by relationships. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026

Where tda stands on Freedom251

To-do list apps#77 of 150