# Add a task to my list

Capture a task in one prompt with an optional due date, priority, and reminders, parsed from plain language like tomorrow or Monday at 9am.

Source: https://get-alfred.ai/docs/prompt-book/tasks/add-task  
Updated: 2026-05-01

Works in: Chat, Text

## 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

1. Creates a task with the body you give it
2. Parses a due date if you mention one ("tomorrow", "Friday", "next Monday at 9am")
3. Sets priority if you mention it (high, medium, low)
4. Schedules reminders if you list times
5. 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](https://get-alfred.ai/docs/prompt-book/email/pull-tasks-from-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](https://get-alfred.ai/docs/prompt-book/calendar/add-event) |
| **Reminder** | "Just nudge me at this time about this thing", see [Remind me about something](https://get-alfred.ai/docs/prompt-book/tasks/remind-me) |

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

- [What's on my list?](https://get-alfred.ai/docs/prompt-book/tasks/list-my-tasks)
- [Remind me about something](https://get-alfred.ai/docs/prompt-book/tasks/remind-me)
- [Pull tasks out of an email](https://get-alfred.ai/docs/prompt-book/email/pull-tasks-from-email)

## 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.