How do I organize and prioritize my tasks effectively?

Use priority levels (high, medium, low) or numbers (P1, P2, P3) to identify urgent tasks. Add due dates to time-sensitive items and sort tasks by deadline or priority to see what needs attention first. Categorize tasks using tags or labels—work, personal, errands, projects—for better organization. Apply the Eisenhower Matrix: urgent and important tasks go first, important but not urgent get scheduled, urgent but not important get delegated or minimized, neither urgent nor important get eliminated. Break large projects into smaller, actionable subtasks to reduce overwhelm. Review your task list daily—add new items, reprioritize based on changing deadlines, and mark completed tasks. Most productivity experts recommend focusing on 3-5 high-priority tasks per day rather than overwhelming yourself with dozens of items.

Can I filter and sort my tasks to focus on what matters?

Yes! Most todo list apps offer filtering by status (active, completed, all), priority level, due date (today, this week, overdue), or category/tag. Sorting options typically include alphabetical, by creation date, by due date, or by priority. Use filters to create custom views: 'show only high-priority tasks due this week' or 'work tasks that are incomplete.' This helps you focus on relevant tasks without distraction from less urgent items. Some apps support saved filters or 'smart lists' that automatically update based on criteria—useful for recurring contexts like 'work tasks for today' or 'all overdue items.' Combining filters with search lets you quickly find specific tasks by keyword. Clear filters to see your full task list when planning or reviewing.

How do due dates and reminders work in todo lists?

Add due dates to tasks to track deadlines and ensure timely completion. Tasks with approaching due dates often get highlighted or moved to priority sections. Overdue tasks (past their due date) are flagged in red or with warning indicators. Many todo apps send reminders via browser notifications, email, or mobile push notifications—configure reminders for specific times (e.g., '9 AM on the due date') or relative to the deadline ('1 day before'). Recurring tasks with repeating due dates (daily, weekly, monthly) automatically create new instances after completion—useful for habits, bills, or regular meetings. For browser-based todo lists without notification APIs, use visual cues like color-coding or a dedicated 'upcoming' section. Integrate with calendar apps for comprehensive time management.

Can I categorize tasks with tags or projects?

Absolutely! Tags and categories help organize tasks by context, project, or area of life. Create categories like work, personal, home, health, finance, or learning. Assign multiple tags to a single task—e.g., 'urgent, work, meeting' for a high-priority work meeting. Filter by category to see all tasks in a specific area or project. This is essential for separating work from personal life or managing multiple projects simultaneously. Hierarchical categories (projects with sub-projects) add another layer of organization: Marketing > Social Media > Instagram Post. Color-code categories for visual distinction—work in blue, personal in green, urgent in red. Tags also enable context-based workflows: tag tasks by location (home, office, errands) and filter when you're in that location to maximize efficiency.

Is my task data saved automatically or do I need to export it?

Browser-based todo lists typically use local storage to automatically save tasks in your browser. Every time you add, edit, or complete a task, changes are instantly saved locally—no manual save required. Your tasks persist across browser sessions and survive page refreshes. However, local storage is device-specific: tasks on your laptop don't sync to your phone. Clearing browser data or using incognito mode erases tasks. For backup and cross-device access, export tasks as JSON, CSV, or plain text files regularly. Some apps offer cloud sync with account creation, but browser-only tools prioritize privacy by keeping data local. Import/export features let you migrate tasks between devices or backup for safekeeping. If sharing tasks across devices is critical, use a cloud-based todo app with sync capabilities.

How do I use the Getting Things Done (GTD) method with a todo list?

GTD involves five steps: capture, clarify, organize, reflect, and engage. Capture: add all tasks, ideas, and commitments to your todo list inbox—nothing stays in your head. Clarify: process each item—is it actionable? If yes, define the next action; if no, delete, defer, or reference it. Organize: assign tasks to projects, add due dates, set priorities, and use tags like 'next action' or 'waiting for.' Reflect: weekly review your entire list to update tasks, reprioritize, and clear completed items. Engage: work from filtered views showing next actions, prioritized by context (at computer, phone calls, errands). Use categories for projects and contexts, single next action tags to avoid paralysis, and defer non-urgent tasks to a 'someday/maybe' list. GTD's power is in the systematic processing, not the tool itself.

Can I create subtasks or checklists within tasks?

Many todo list apps support subtasks or checklists—smaller steps within a larger task. For example, a task 'Plan vacation' might have subtasks: research destinations, book flights, reserve hotel, create itinerary. Check off subtasks as you complete them, and the parent task shows progress (e.g., '3/5 subtasks complete'). Subtasks help break down complex projects into manageable actions, reducing overwhelm and providing clear next steps. Some apps allow nested subtasks (subtasks within subtasks) for deep project hierarchies. If your todo app doesn't support native subtasks, use indentation in task descriptions or create separate related tasks with tags linking them. Alternatively, use task titles like 'Project X - Step 1' and 'Project X - Step 2' to group related items when filtered by keyword.

What keyboard shortcuts make task management faster?

Keyboard shortcuts dramatically speed up task management. Common shortcuts include: N or A to add a new task quickly without clicking; Enter to create another task after finishing one; E to edit the selected task; D or Delete to remove a task; C or Space to mark a task complete; up/down arrows to navigate tasks; forward slash to focus the search or filter bar; 1-3 or P to set priority levels; T to add or edit tags; and Escape to close dialogs or cancel editing. Some apps support bulk actions with checkboxes and Shift-click to select multiple tasks for batch operations (delete, categorize, prioritize). Learning 5-10 core shortcuts eliminates repetitive clicking and keeps you in flow state. Most todo apps display available shortcuts with a question mark icon or Ctrl/Cmd + forward slash help menu.

How do I archive or clean up completed tasks?

Regularly archiving completed tasks keeps your active list focused and manageable. Options include: manually select completed tasks and archive or delete them periodically (daily, weekly), use auto-archive features that move tasks completed over a certain age (e.g., 7 days) to an archive, or filter to hide completed tasks from your main view without deleting them. Archives are useful for reviewing past accomplishments, tracking productivity trends, or retrieving task details later. Some apps provide completion stats—tasks completed this week, this month, by category—for productivity insights. Permanently delete archived tasks after several months if you don't need them. For recurring tasks, completion creates a new instance rather than archiving—so weekly tasks reappear automatically. Balancing completed task history with list cleanliness optimizes focus.

Is my todo list data private and secure in a browser-based app?

Browser-based todo lists using local storage keep all task data on your device—nothing is transmitted to servers or stored in the cloud. This provides complete privacy—your tasks, project details, and personal information never leave your computer. No account creation means no email collection, no password risks, and no data breaches from server hacks. However, anyone with physical access to your device can view tasks if you don't lock your computer. Browser data is also vulnerable if someone accesses your local files or browser storage. For sensitive tasks (financial passwords, confidential projects), consider encrypted todo apps with password protection. Clear browser cache carefully—it deletes your tasks. For backup, export tasks regularly. Browser-based tools prioritize convenience and privacy over cross-device sync and collaboration features available in cloud-based alternatives.

Online Todo List

Organize your tasks, set priorities, track deadlines, and stay productive. Create checklists, categorize tasks, and manage your workflow—all in your browser with automatic local storage.

Add New Todo

Total

Active

Completed

Your Todos

No todos found

Add your first todo above to get started!

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Productivity Tools

Explore more tools in the Productivity Tools category

Timer & Countdown

Simple timer and countdown with fullscreen mode and completion sound. Perfect for work sessions, workouts, cooking, and presentations.