How to Use Todoist

Getting started with Todoist

In this guide, you'll learn how to set up Todoist and create your first task. By the end, you'll be able to manage your tasks effectively using natural language input and AI-powered scheduling.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to todoist.com.
2. Click on the "Get Started" button in the top right corner.
3. You can sign up using your email or through Google, Facebook, or Apple.
4. After signing up, you’ll be prompted to choose a plan. Select the free plan to start with 5 active projects.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your profile and preferences.

Step 2: Your first task

1. On the main dashboard, locate the “+ Add task” button at the top of the screen.
2. Click on it and type your task in plain English (e.g., "Buy groceries tomorrow at 5 PM").
3. Press "Enter" to save the task. Todoist will automatically recognise the date and time.
4. To organise your task, click on the task to open the details view. Here, you can:

- Assign it to a project by selecting from the “Project” dropdown. - Set its priority by choosing a star icon (1 to 4). - Add labels by typing in the “Labels” field.

1. Click "Save" to finish.

Step 3: Get better results

• Use natural language for deadlines and recurrence (e.g., "Weekly meeting every Monday" or "Prepare report by Friday").
• Explore the “Today” and “Upcoming” views to see tasks sorted by deadlines.
• Use filters to view tasks by project, priority, or labels. Click on “Filters” in the left sidebar and create a new filter for specific views, like "High Priority".

Pro tip

Make use of keyboard shortcuts to speed up your task management. Press “Q” to quickly add a task, or “Ctrl + Shift + A” to add a comment to a task.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid creating too many projects under the free plan. You can only have 5 active projects—plan your projects wisely to maximise your organisation.