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In my .zshrc I have

  todo() {vi '+$' ~/todo/$(date +Y/%m)}
  +() {echo + $* >> ~/todo/$(date +Y/%m)}
  -() {echo - - $* >> ~/todo/$(date +Y/%m)}
Each month's entries are in a separate ~/todo/YYYY/MM file. The + command is to record something done. The - command is to enter a new task. The todo command is for editing this month's file -- add month-days, update entries, cleanup etc.

Separately I have current and last 2 month files open in the leftmost column of acme (about half as wide as other columns). This is for moving entries between months etc. I have to remember to do a Get before editing and Put when done editing to sync with any updates done from command line.

In the same column I have a per year "projects" file (multiple indented lines per project) and a per year "future" file (things I may want to do someday).

This is far from perfect but has endured. A simple grep can tell me what was done or what needs to be done in a given month or year.

For taking notes in a meeting I have now switched over to using an ipad + apple pencil as I can scribble notes, draw pictures, doodle etc. without having a laptop screen between me and others or clicking keys annoying people.




I have a thing for “want to do someday” called Asana but it’s never ending. My killer feature for a todo list would be either Auto Delete or auto “tell me a reason why I shouldn’t delete this”


In a way the whole point of making todo lists is mindfulness -- to pay attention to a task when needed. The point of automation is exactly opposite -- you don't want to pay attention to something!

A todo list is more effective if you do regular reviews (daily/weekly/month/yearly). Similarly mindfulness at the time of deleting a someday task may provide useful feedback.


I wonder if you could script that with the API? Post a comment after a certain period of time and if you do not interact with it, delete the task.




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