TaskPop

TaskPop is a fast, keyboard-first Ubuntu/GNOME task popup with local SQLite task lists and optional Google Tasks sync.

TaskPop is there just when you need it. Press Super+T to open (or configure your own. Quickly create, manage, and navigate tasks and lists. Add details and deadlines. Ctrl+O for settings and help. Esc to close.

See Changelog.md for release history.

Features

• Fast popup task manager for Ubuntu/GNOME.
• Local-first task storage using SQLite.
• Optional Google Tasks sync.
• Separate local lists and Google Tasks lists.
• In-place task details panel.
• Task notes/details.
• Smart date and time entry.
• TaskPop-local due time and reminder fields.
• Keyboard navigation for tasks, lists, and commands.
• Command mode by typing :.
• Custom app icon and GNOME shortcut support.

Install on Ubuntu

cd taskpop_mvp
chmod +x install_ubuntu.sh install_shortcut_gnome.sh kill_taskpop_instances.sh debug_taskpop.sh
./install_ubuntu.sh
./install_shortcut_gnome.sh
taskpop

The shortcut installer binds Super + T to open TaskPop.

Google Tasks setup

1. Create or select a project in Google Cloud Console.
2. Enable Google Tasks API.
3. Configure OAuth consent.
4. Add your Google account as a test user.
5. Create OAuth Client ID → Desktop app.
6. Download the JSON file.
7. Save it as: ~/.config/taskpop/google_client_secret.json

Then open TaskPop → Settings → enable Google Tasks → Sync Now.

Note:

• Click ⚙️, type :settings or press Ctrl+O to open Settiongs
• Once connected, TaskPop auto-syncs. You may also type :sync any time to sync manually.

How it works

TaskPop keeps local lists and Google Tasks lists separate.

💻 Local lists stay local.

🌐 Google Tasks lists sync with Google Tasks.

Both can be enabled at the same time. Bbut ofcourse, we can't disable both at the same time.

Adding & Managing Lists

New lists can be created from the Settings window. You can create Local Lists or Google Task Lists that sync. Commands:

• Type :list-l followed by the list name to create a local list.
• Type :list-gt followed by the list name to create a Google Task list.
• Type :unlist to delete the current list you are on.

Notes:

• You will need to confirm the deletion by typing 'DELETE'.
• Google tasks contains a primary list that cannot be deleted (a warning will be shown).

Local lists can be converted to Google Task lists, and vice versa. TaskPop also lets you:

• Rename lists with Ctrl+L or the command :rename followed by new name
• Reorder lists in alphabetical, local or google tasks on top, or completely rearrange them as you like.
• Switch lists using Ctrl+Tabb or Ctrl+Shift+Tab
• Jump directly using Ctrl + 1 … Ctrl + 9 and Ctrl + 0

See 'Keyboard Shortcuts' and 'Commands' sections below for more.

Adding Tasks and Task Details

To create a task, simply type the task name/title and press Ctrl+Enter

To Navigate the tasks in the list, use the up ↑ and down ↓ arrow keys.

Select a task and press Ctrl + D or Shift+Enter to open the task details panel. You can then edit/add:

• Task name
• Task details / notes
• Date & time
• Reminder options

Save with Ctrl + S or Ctrl+Enter (or the Save button).

Cancel anytime with Esc.

Keyboard shortcuts

App Shortcuts	Action
Ctrl + O	Open Settings
Ctrl + S	Save in details/settings; sync in list view
Ctrl + Enter	Add task / run selected command
Esc	Close popup or cancel current action

Tasks Shortcuts	Action
Super + T	Open/close TaskPop
↑ / ↓	Navigate tasks or commands
Space	Tick/untick selected task when input is empty
Ctrl + Enter	Add task / run selected command
Ctrl + K	Clear completed tasks
Ctrl + D / Shift + Enter	Open task details panel
Ctrl + E	Quick edit selected task name
Ctrl + C	Copy selected task text

Lists Shortcuts	Action
Ctrl + Tab	Next list
Ctrl + Shift + Tab	Previous list
Ctrl + 1 … Ctrl + 9	Jump to visible list number
Ctrl + 0	Jump to last visible list
Ctrl + L	Rename current list

Commands

Type : to show commands. Continue typing to filter command names and descriptions.

Command	Action
:list-l <name>	Create local list
:list-gt <name>	Create Google Tasks list
:unlist	Delete current list after typing DELETE
:rename <New List Name>	Rename current list
:reorder <number>	Move current list to a visible position
:order-az	Order visible lists A to Z
:order-za	Order visible lists Z to A
:order-lg	Order local lists first, then Google Tasks lists
:order-gl	Order Google Tasks lists first, then local lists
:clear	Clear completed tasks from current list
:settings	Open Settings
:list-c-gt	Convert local list to Google Tasks
:convert-to-google-task	Same as :list-c-gt
:list-c-l	Convert Google Tasks list to local
:convert-to-local	Same as :list-c-l
:enable-gt	Show/enable Google Tasks lists
:disable-gt	Hide/disable Google Tasks lists
:enable-l	Show/enable local lists
:disable-l	Hide/disable local lists
:shortcut <binding>	Change global shortcut
:sync	Sync Google Tasks if connected

Google Task Primary List

The primary Google Tasks list cannot be deleted by Google. If you try to delete or convert it to local, TaskPop shows a warning and leaves it unchanged.

Note on Smart date and time input

TaskPop accepts flexible date/time formats.

Examples:

23/08 6am
13jan 1600
tomorrw at 6pm
jan11 4pm
18:30
0830
6pm

Supported date styles include:

DD-MM-YYYY
DD/MM/YYYY
DD MM YYYY
DD-MM
DD/MM
DD MM
DD-MMM
DD MMM
13jan
jan13

Separator can be /, -, or a space.

If year is not entered, TaskPop uses the current year if the date is upcoming, otherwise next year.

If only time is entered, TaskPop uses today if the time is still upcoming, otherwise tomorrow.

Settings allow below formats:

• For dates you can choose either Date-Month or Month-Date format
• For time, 24 hrs or AM/PM formats can be chosen.

Google Tasks date/time note

Google Tasks sync supports task title, notes, completion status, and due date.

Google Tasks API stores only the due date and discards due time. TaskPop therefore keeps due time and reminder timing locally.

Google sync conflict handling

If a synced task is deleted from Google Tasks outside TaskPop, TaskPop recreates the missing Google task on the next sync instead of getting stuck with an offline pending state.

Planned for future

• Desktop reminders and notifications.
• Reminder background checker using systemd user timer.
• Due today / upcoming / overdue task views.
• Set task priority and sort by priority.
• Search across all lists.
• Task descriptions formatting.
• Better recurring task support.
• Import/export.