Task.txt Is a Simple, Free Mac To-Do App for People Tired of Overcomplicated Task Managers

I’ve spent decades testing, reviewing, and—most importantly—using different to-do list applications. It’s a career, sure, but it’s also a bit of an obsession.

And I think we can all agree that most to-do list apps are far too complex. A to-do list is just a list. Humans have been making lists for thousands of years, long before computers existed. Paper works well, but slate is fine if you have it handy.

As a modern person, you may need a to-do list app with additional features such as due dates, recurring tasks, sharing, and AI integration. But it’s also possible that all you need is the digital equivalent of a piece of paper: a simple list of things to do.

A Minimalist Mac To-Do List Based on Todo.txt

That’s exactly what task.txt is: a completely free Mac app from Ukrainian programmer Yevhen Kharkovsky. The tool is based on the todo.txt system developed by Gina Trapani.

The result is a simple replacement for a to-do list app built around a single text file—but with a polished interface and useful controls.

Three Simple Task Lists: Completed, Next, and Backlog

When you open task.txt, you’ll see a straightforward list divided into three categories: Completed, Next, and Backlog.

The idea is simple: use Next for tasks you want to accomplish today and Backlog for tasks you want to do later. The Completed section is populated when tasks are checked off and cleared at the beginning of each day.

Keyboard Shortcuts Keep Task Management Fast

You can use the app entirely from the keyboard, which I appreciate. When the window opens, you can start typing immediately because the cursor is already active in the text box at the bottom. Press Enter to add a task to either Backlog or Next, depending on your selection in the drop-down menu.

Press Tab to move from the text box to the task list, then use the arrow keys to change the selected task. Press Enter to add a note beneath the task name. Use Cmd+Enter to mark a task as completed, or Cmd+Up and Cmd+Down to move tasks up or down in the list.

A To-Do App Without Unnecessary Features

There are no unnecessary controls or interface elements getting in the way. You can open the app, decide what you need to do, and start working. You don’t have to use keyboard shortcuts, either. If you prefer a mouse, task.txt is just as intuitive to use.