Things 3 Todo List Generator

Description

--- 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) ```json { "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) ```json { "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 →](things:///json?data=%5B%7B%22type%22%3A%22project%22%2C...) > **→ 2 tasks in Inbox** · anytime and someday > > - Reply to Guillaume's email (anytime) > - Order the Vignelli book (someday) > > [Open in Things 3 →](things:///json?data=%5B%7B%22type%22%3A%22to-do%22%2C...)

Security Status