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Documentation
Everything about using Todebaran — from installing the app to building smart lists, focusing on a single task and printing your day.
Getting started
- IntroductionWhat Todebaran is, and how this documentation is organized.
- InstallationDownload Todebaran and get set up on your Mac.
- First launchWhat to expect the first time you open Todebaran.
- The interfaceFind your way around the sidebar, the main views and the windows.
- Your first dayA hands-on walkthrough — from a blank app to a planned, focused day.
- Capturing with Quick AddAdd a task from anywhere, without losing your place.
Concepts
- TasksThe heart of Todebaran — what a task holds, and where it lives.
- ProjectsGroup tasks toward an outcome — with headings, tags, a deadline and progress.
- CollectionsA notes-style home for reference material, not dated work.
- Areas & shared spacesThe top level — how your projects and collections are grouped.
- SchedulingWhen and Deadline — and how they fill Today, Upcoming and Someday.
- RecurrenceRepeat anything on your own schedule.
- TagsLabel tasks the way you think, and filter to just what matters.
- Smart listsRule-based lists that gather the right tasks automatically.
- CountdownsKeep an eye on the days until something that matters.
- Daily notesA short journal attached to each day.
- SlipsReusable templates that turn tasks and data into an image, a printout — or an action.
Guides
- Using focus modeA timer and pomodoro built into the task you're actually doing.
- Search & quick navigationFind anything and jump anywhere with one shortcut.
- Customizing your viewsShape how lists, tasks and the sidebar look and feel.
- Themes & appearanceLight and dark themes, accent colors, and custom looks.
- Background imagesSet a background image on almost any page, fine-tune how it looks, and reuse it across your views.
- Calendar & Apple CalendarThe day-by-day calendar view, and showing your Mac's events alongside tasks.
- Files & attachmentsAdd images and files, organize them in the file library, and use them in notes and slips.
- Smart list recipesReady-to-build smart lists to copy.
- Your account & ProSigning in, the Pro trial, and managing your subscription.
- Syncing across devicesKeep your tasks in step through storage you control — no server, no lock-in.
- Setting up your sync storageStep-by-step ways to get a free storage location for sync — a shared folder, an S3 bucket, or WebDAV.
- Sharing with shared spacesPlan alongside other people by sharing a space of projects.
- Setting up AIConnect your own AI model for slips, images and in-app chat.
- Deep linksTrigger Todebaran from a link — capture tasks and jump to views with the todebaran:// URL scheme.
- MCP integrationLet AI clients like Claude work with your tasks through the Model Context Protocol.
Slips & printing
- Building a slipDesign a printable template on the canvas, step by step.
- Slip blocks referenceEvery block and helper node you can use on the slip canvas.
- Slip recipesReady-to-build slips to copy — for printing, exporting or automating.
- Why print your tasks?The case for putting a task on paper — and how a receipt printer turns it into a habit.
- Printing & thermal printersHow printing works in Todebaran, and what you can send to a receipt printer.
- Setting up a printerAdd a thermal printer over network, USB or serial, and confirm it works.
- Setting up a network printerFind your printer's IP, connect over the network, and keep it stable.
- Compatible printersWhich thermal printers work with Todebaran, and what to look for when buying one.
- Printer troubleshootingDiagnose thermal-printer problems — connection, paper, layout and errors.
Reference
- Settings referenceEvery settings tab and what each option does.
- Supported platformsWhere Todebaran runs today, and what's on the way.
- Keyboard shortcutsA complete reference to Todebaran's default shortcuts.
- Smart list rule referenceEvery attribute and condition you can match on in a smart list.
- Your data & privacyWhere your data lives, how to back it up, and what's collected.
- GlossaryThe Todebaran vocabulary in one place.
Troubleshooting
- Sync isn't workingSteps to take when your tasks aren't syncing across devices.
- AI isn't respondingFixes for AI prompts, images and chat that won't run.
- Calendar events aren't showingGetting your Mac's calendar events to appear alongside tasks.
- Notifications aren't appearingGetting focus and app notifications to show up on macOS.
- The app won't launch or updateWhat to try when Todebaran won't open or an update fails.
- Account & Pro issuesSigning in, and getting Pro to show up on your devices.
- Recovering deleted itemsGet back a task you deleted — or find one you completed.
- Getting help & sending feedbackHow to report a bug, request a feature, or reach support.