Get started with Todoist

New to Todoist? This guide walks you through the essentials for getting organized fast. Learn how to create a project, add tasks, set dates, break big goals into smaller steps, and prioritize your day. By the end, you'll have everything you need to take control of your work and life.

Start with a project

Todoist projects keep all your tasks organized so you can achieve your goals, both large and small.

To create a project, select the + symbol next to My Projects in the navigation menu. Add your project’s name, pick a color, and choose to see it as a list, a board, or a calendar (available on the Pro or Business plan).

After setting up your project, you can decide how you'd want to use it:

• Make a teaching plan
• Track a marketing campaign

• Share a grocery list

   

Add your first task

All projects begin with a single step, but don’t stop there. Add your tasks.

Select Add task while in your new project. Write your task’s name. Then choose Add task.

The most achievable tasks tend to be:

• Super specific and clear
• Actionable
• Less than an hour long

Stay on schedule

Todoist can auto-detect dates, nearly any way you write them.

When you’re typing your task’s name, write out your task’s date, too.

Todoist understands things like:

• Buy grapes today
• Paint the deck this weekend
• Edit marketing report Sept 15 at 2pm
• Attend professional development class every 3rd Tues for 6 months starting in April

Get the whole list of dates.

Split big tasks into sub-tasks

Small tasks are far easier to complete than big ones, so break large goals into manageable to-dos.

Create a sub-task by selecting any task and choosing Add sub-task. Type your sub-task’s name and date, as usual.

Back in your project, you can use the arrow next to your main task to view or hide your sub-tasks.

Helpful hints:

• Divide tough tasks into short, easy ones
• Track all of your progress
• Collapse for calm, expand to complete

Organize tasks into sections

Tidy up your long task lists with sections. You can neatly divide your project any way that works for you.

Hover below your list of tasks and select the Add section line that appears.

Add tasks to your Inbox

If you are not sure which project a new task should go in, add the task to your Inbox. This is the home for tasks without projects (yet), and the perfect way to get things out of your head.

Find your Inbox at the top of the navigation menu. Any task that isn’t added to a specific project is added there by default.

Then, move tasks easily from your Inbox to projects. Select the task you’d like to move, and you'll see the task view. Click Project on the right side, and choose the right project.

Plan your future

Find every task scheduled for today, this week, or any week in your Today and Upcoming views.

You’ll find both views below your Inbox in the navigation menu.

• Today view shows you all the tasks scheduled for today in all of your projects.
• Upcoming view lets you see every task scheduled in the future.

Prioritize your day

It’s easy to get lost in your task list when there’s a lot on your plate. Keep your focus with color-coded priority levels.

To set priority levels, select a task. From your task view, use the flag icon to choose red priority 1, orange priority 2, blue priority 3, or white priority 4.

Your highest priority tasks will appear near the top of your Today and Upcoming views. That way, you know what to work on first.

Pro tips:

• Pick only a few must-do tasks each day
• Do your hardest task first
• Reschedule any tasks you don’t check off

Set dates for big plans

Add a deadline to tasks with a firm deadline you need to plan ahead for. Deadlines are available on the Pro plan. The quickest way to add a deadline is to type it while you’re creating the task. Use curly brackets when you’re creating a new task to add a deadline. For example, typing {next Friday} will set the deadline for next Friday. 

Complete your tasks

Small steps add up to big achievements over time. So take a moment to look back on all the progress you’ve made.

Check things off your list by selecting the circle next to the task you have completed. You can uncomplete tasks, too.

To see every task you've checked off, click the three dots icon at the top of your project. Then, choose Completed tasks in the menu.

Todoist helps you:

• Track your successes
• Note the challenges
• Reward yourself for a job well done!

Get in touch

Now that you know the basics, you're ready to organize your work and life with Todoist. If you have questions, get in touch with us.