Todo.txt
What Todo.txt is
Todo.txt is a free, open-source plain-text task format and a collection of apps for managing tasks in a todo.txt file. Each line represents one task, with optional priorities, projects, contexts, creation dates, and completion dates. Because the format is human-readable, it can be edited in a standard text editor without special tools or a specific operating system. The associated apps favor minimal interfaces with few checkboxes, drop-downs, reminders, or date pickers. Todo.txt CLI is an extensible shell script for macOS and Linux that can archive completed tasks to done.txt and provide priority and context tab completion. It needs no configuration, though users can adjust directories, colors, and highlighting. Community apps cover desktop, web, and mobile platforms. The official Android app syncs through Dropbox, and its repository is archived and read-only with known bugs.
Who it suits
It suits people who already keep tasks in a todo.txt file and want simple, portable tools across desktop, web, or mobile platforms.
What it does well
- Human-readable plain-text task format
- Works without a specific operating system or tool
- CLI archives completed tasks to done.txt
- Community apps span desktop, web, and mobile
- Free and licensed under GNU GPL v3.0
What to know first
- No task reminders
- Android syncing requires a Dropbox account
- Official Android repository is archived and read-only
- Known bugs remain in the Android app
Verdict
Todo.txt prioritizes portability, plain-text editing, and minimal task management over interface-heavy features. Its broad community ecosystem helps, but Android users should note the archived app and Dropbox sync requirement.
Facts from Todo.txt's own pages
- Android status
- The official Android app repository is archived and read-only; it was archived on December 12, 2020. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- CLI
- Todo.txt CLI is an extensible shell script for managing todo.txt files, and can archive completed tasks to done.txt. · todotxt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- CLI features
- The official site says the CLI supports archiving completed tasks to done.txt and priority and context tab autocompletion. · todotxt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- CLI platforms
- The CLI installation instructions cover macOS and Linux. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Command line
- Todo.txt CLI is an extensible shell script for managing a todo.txt file, with installation instructions for macOS and Linux. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Community apps
- The official site lists community apps for desktop, web, and mobile, plus plugins and add-ons for editors and the CLI. · todotxt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- The CLI requires no configuration, though users can customize settings such as the todo.txt directory, colors, and highlighting. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The CLI README directs users to download the latest stable release for desktop or server use. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Format
- Each line in a todo.txt file represents one task, and the format supports priorities, projects, contexts, and dates. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The CLI README says users can place the todo.txt directory on a cloud drive by setting TODO_DIR. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The official site describes the format as aimed at people who already keep a todo.txt file and want simple tools to manage it. · todotxt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Known limitation
- The official Android app repository says the app has known bugs and todo items and was archived in 2020. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The CLI and format repositories identify their license as GNU GPL v3.0. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Minimal design
- The official site describes its apps as minimal todo.txt-focused editors with few checkboxes, drop-downs, reminders, or date pickers. · todotxt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Mobile sync limit
- The official Android app README says syncing the file across devices requires a Dropbox account. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Portability
- The format is designed to be human-readable and editable with a plain-text editor, without requiring a specific operating system or tool. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Portable format
- The format is designed to be human-readable and usable in a plain text editor without special tools. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Todo.txt is a plain text task format and a collection of apps for managing tasks stored in a todo.txt file. · todotxt.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The CLI repository directs users to GitHub Discussions for questions and troubleshooting and GitHub Issues for bugs and feature requests. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- macOS,Linux,iOS,Android · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Task metadata
- Tasks can use priorities, projects, contexts, creation dates, and completion dates. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Task reminders
- No · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
Where Todo.txt stands on Freedom251
- To-do list apps#146 of 150