Add a task to my list
Capture a task with optional due date, priority, and reminders, in one prompt.
The prompt
Add [TASK] to my todo list.
The fastest task in alfred_ is the one you don’t lose. Capture inline as the thought appears.
What alfred_ does
- Creates a task with the body you give it
- Parses a due date if you mention one (“tomorrow”, “Friday”, “next Monday at 9am”)
- Sets priority if you mention it (high, medium, low)
- Schedules reminders if you list times
- Confirms back the task as created
Phrasings that work
The minimal form is just the body:
- “Add ‘apply to weights and biases’ to my todo list”
- “Add to my list: check cash flow”
With a due date:
- “Add a task to call the dentist next Monday at 9am”
- “Add ‘review the contract’ due Friday”
With priority and reminders:
- “Task: Review the proposal. Due Friday. Reminders at noon and 3pm.”
- “High priority: nag Max Arad about the deck”
From an email or thread
If you’re viewing an email and want to capture an action from it:
- “Make a task from this email”
- “Add a task to follow up on this thread by Friday”
- “Pull all the tasks out of this email”, see Pull tasks out of an email
Tasks vs. calendar events vs. reminders
| Use this | When |
|---|---|
| Task | ”I need to do this thing, track it until done” |
| Calendar event | ”I need to be doing this at a specific time”, see Add something to my calendar |
| Reminder | ”Just nudge me at this time about this thing”, see Remind me about something |
Most one-off “remind me to X by Y” prompts can use any of these, pick by what you want the experience to feel like.
Related
Variations
- Add 'apply to weights and biases' to my todo list
- Add reach out to Ben Li's uncle as an item on my to do list
- Add a task to call the dentist next Monday at 9am
- Add to my task list: check cash flow and order pipelines
- Task. Due date by 5pm today. Reminders at 12pm, 1pm, 3pm.
- Reminder, priority high, 'Nag Max Arad'
Best for
Capturing the thing you just thought of, before it disappears, usually mid-call, mid-thread, or mid-thought.