things-todo

name

things-todo

description

Generate a clickable Things 3 import link from tasks discussed in conversation. Use this skill whenever Claude produces a list of actions, tasks, to-dos, next steps, or a project plan that the user might want to track — even if they don't explicitly say "Things" or "todo list." Also trigger when the user says things like "ajoute ça dans Things", "fais-moi une todo", "crée les tâches", "envoie ça dans Things", "make a task list", "send to Things", "plan this out as tasks", or any variation. If a conversation ends with a clear set of actionable items, proactively offer to generate the Things link. Always use this skill instead of outputting a plain markdown checklist when the user could benefit from real task management.

Things 3 Todo List Generator

Generate a clickable things:///json URL that imports tasks directly into Things 3 on macOS/iOS.

When to use

• The user explicitly asks for tasks, a todo list, or to send something to Things
• Claude has produced a plan, a set of next steps, or action items
• A brainstorm, brief, or project discussion has landed on concrete actions
• Proactively offer the Things link whenever a conversation yields clear actionable outputs

First-time setup

Before generating any tasks, Claude needs to know the user's Things 3 structure. If no configuration has been provided yet (check Claude's memory), ask the user to share:

1. Areas — their list of Things areas (ongoing life/work buckets). Ask: "What are your Areas in Things 3?"
2. Active projects — projects currently in progress. Ask: "What are your active projects?"
3. Tags — their tag list, including exact names with emojis if any. Ask: "What tags do you use? Include emojis if your tag names contain them — the names must match exactly."

Once provided, Claude should store this configuration in memory (via memory_user_edits) so it persists across conversations. The configuration should be stored as a concise structured summary.

If the user's Things structure changes, they can ask Claude to update it at any time ("update my Things tags", "j'ai un nouveau projet", etc.).

If no configuration exists yet, Claude can still generate tasks — it just won't use tags, areas, or target existing projects. It should mention this and suggest running the setup.

Things 3 JSON URL Scheme

The URL format is:

things:///json?data=<URL-encoded JSON array>

The JSON payload is an array of objects. Each object has a type and an attributes dict.

Object types

to-do (single task → goes to Inbox)

{
  "type": "to-do",
  "attributes": {
    "title": "Task title",
    "notes": "Optional notes or context",
    "when": "2025-06-15",
    "deadline": "2025-06-20",
    "tags": ["tag1", "tag2"],
    "checklist-items": [
      {"type": "checklist-item", "attributes": {"title": "Subtask 1"}},
      {"type": "checklist-item", "attributes": {"title": "Subtask 2"}}
    ]
  }
}

project (group of tasks → creates a Things project)

{
  "type": "project",
  "attributes": {
    "title": "Project name",
    "notes": "Project description",
    "when": "2025-06-15",
    "deadline": "2025-06-30",
    "tags": ["tag1"],
    "items": [
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "attributes": {
          "title": "Phase 1"
        }
      },
      {
        "type": "to-do",
        "attributes": {
          "title": "Task inside project",
          "notes": "Details",
          "tags": ["tag1"],
          "checklist-items": [
            {"type": "checklist-item", "attributes": {"title": "Subtask A"}}
          ]
        }
      },
      {
        "type": "heading",
        "attributes": {
          "title": "Phase 2"
        }
      },
      {
        "type": "to-do",
        "attributes": {
          "title": "Another task in next phase"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

Important structural rules:

• Headings are separate objects with "type": "heading" placed in the items array — they are NOT an attribute on a to-do.
• Checklist items must each have "type": "checklist-item" and an "attributes" dict with "title".
• To-dos listed after a heading belong to that heading until the next heading.

Attribute reference

Attribute	Type	Notes
title	string	Required. Keep concise and actionable (start with a verb).
notes	string	Optional. Context, links, details. Supports Markdown.
when	string	Optional. Start date: "2025-06-15" or "evening" or "someday".
deadline	string	Optional. Hard deadline: "2025-06-20".
tags	array of strings	Optional. Tags must already exist in Things to appear.
checklist-items	array of objects	Optional. Each must have "type": "checklist-item" and "attributes": {"title": "..."}.
list	string	Optional. Name of an existing Things project to add the task to.
area	string	Optional. Name of an existing Things area to assign the project/task to.
items	array	Projects only. Contains to-do and heading objects. Headings are {"type": "heading", "attributes": {"title": "..."}}.

Date formats

• Specific date: "2025-06-15" (ISO format, YYYY-MM-DD)
• Today: "today"
• Evening: "evening"
• Someday: "someday"
• No date: omit the field entirely

Tag usage guidelines

Things 3 has tag inheritance. Tags cascade down: area → project → task, and parent tag → child tag. Never add a tag that's already inherited from the parent context.

Rules:

• Don't duplicate area/project tags on tasks. If a task lives in a project inside an area that already carries a tag, don't add that tag again.
• Don't duplicate parent tags. If you assign a child tag, the parent tag is automatically inherited — don't add it.
• Only add tags that provide NEW information beyond what the task's context already carries.
• When in doubt, fewer tags is better. Let inheritance do the work.
• Tag names must match exactly — including emojis, capitalization, and spaces. Things ignores unknown tags silently.

Productivity principles

When generating tasks, follow these principles (inspired by the FU-Master methodology for Things 3):

Today vs Anytime vs Someday

• Today ("when": "today") = only "Must Dos" — tasks that absolutely HAVE to happen today. Keep this list tight.
• Anytime (no when, no scheduling) = "Bonus Todos" for the week — tasks that can be tackled at any point. This is the default. Most tasks should land here.
• Someday ("when": "someday") = not for this week — ideas, long-term items, things to revisit during weekly review.

Default to Anytime. Only use "when": "today" for genuine must-dos. Only use "when": "someday" for items explicitly not needed this week.

Deadlines over scheduling

• Prefer "deadline" over "when" for dates. A deadline keeps the task visible in Anytime while ensuring it pops up in Today when due.
• Only use "when" (scheduling) when the task literally cannot be started before that date.
• Use "deadline" when there's a real due date, even if it's soft. This surfaces the task at the right time without hiding it from Anytime.

Next actions only

• Every task must be actionable — start with a verb, be specific enough to act on immediately.
• Don't create sequences of dependent tasks. Only create the next action for each stream of work.
• If a task has prerequisites, put context in the notes field, not as separate blocked tasks.
• If there are many possible future steps, use the project notes field to list them — only the next actionable steps become to-dos.

Decision logic: Project vs Inbox

Choose the structure based on context:

• Use a project when:

  • There are 4+ related tasks forming a coherent initiative
  • Tasks have natural phases or groupings (use heading objects in items for these)
  • The conversation is about a project, a launch, a brief, or a multi-step plan

• Add to an existing project ("list" attribute) when:

  • The conversation is clearly about one of the user's active projects
  • The user mentions a project by name

• Use individual to-do items (Inbox) when:

  • There are 1–3 unrelated or loosely related actions
  • Tasks are quick standalone items
  • The user asks for miscellaneous reminders or next steps

• Use multiple projects when the conversation spans clearly distinct initiatives

Splitting large task lists

When the total number of tasks exceeds 15, split into multiple links:

• Group logically (by phase, by project, by area) — never split arbitrarily
• Present each group with its own summary and its own clickable link
• Label each link clearly (e.g., "Phase 1 — Research (6 tasks)", "Phase 2 — Production (8 tasks)")
• If tasks belong to different areas/projects, that's a natural split boundary

How to generate the output

1. Structure the JSON following the schema above
2. URL-encode the JSON string (full encoding — spaces, quotes, brackets, everything)
3. Build the URL: things:///json?data= + encoded JSON
4. Present as a clickable Markdown link:

   [Open in Things 3](things:///json?data=...)
   

Critical rules

• Always use compact JSON (separators=(',', ':') — no spaces after : or ,). This reduces URL length and avoids parsing issues.
• Always URL-encode the entire JSON payload. Unencoded JSON will break the link.
• Start task titles with a verb — "Send", "Review", "Draft", "Prepare", etc.
• Keep titles short (< 60 chars). Put details in notes.
• Only include attributes that have real values — don't add empty strings or null fields.
• Use headings in projects to group tasks by phase, priority, or category when there are 5+ tasks.
• Match the language of the conversation for task titles and notes.

Delivery method

The things:/// URL scheme doesn't work as a clickable link inside the Claude chat interface. Always generate an HTML file with the link(s) and present it to the user via present_files. The HTML file should:

• Have a clean, dark-themed UI
• Show the destination and task summary for each link
• Include the clickable link that opens Things when clicked in a browser (Safari)

Output format

Always present the result as:

1. Destination — Always state clearly where the tasks will land:
   • "→ 3 tasks in Inbox"
   • "→ New project 'Website Redesign' in area Work"
   • "→ 4 tasks added to project Q2 Launch"
2. A quick overview listing the tasks (so the user can verify before clicking)
3. The clickable link delivered in an HTML file (see Delivery method)

The destination line is mandatory. The user must know where to find the tasks in Things before clicking.

Example output

→ New project in Work · 6 tasks in 2 phases

Phase 1 — Preparation

• Finalize the creative brief (deadline June 15)
• Prepare visual assets
• Draft the copy

Phase 2 — Launch

• Publish on LinkedIn
• Send the newsletter
• Schedule the Instagram post

Open in Things 3 →

→ 2 tasks in Inbox · anytime and someday

• Reply to Guillaume's email (anytime)
• Order the Vignelli book (someday)

Open in Things 3 →