Can I use Obsidian as a todo list app?

Yes. Obsidian supports checkbox-based tasks natively, and with TaskForge you get priorities, due dates, smart filtering, reminders, kanban boards, and home screen widgets. Your tasks stay in plain markdown files inside your vault.

What is the best todo list plugin for Obsidian?

TaskForge is the most complete solution for using Obsidian as a todo list. It adds a native mobile app with widgets, smart notifications, kanban boards, and powerful filtering. It is fully compatible with the Obsidian Tasks plugin format.

How do I create a task in Obsidian?

Type a checkbox in any note using the syntax - [ ] followed by your task text. You can add a due date, priority, tags, and more using emoji or bracket notation. TaskForge reads both formats automatically.

Can I access my Obsidian todo list on mobile?

Yes. TaskForge provides a native app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android that syncs with your Obsidian vault. You can also add home screen widgets to see and complete tasks without opening the app.

Getting Started

March 28, 2026

Obsidian Todo List: Turn Your Vault into a Task Manager

A beginner-friendly guide to creating and managing a todo list in Obsidian. From your first checkbox to smart lists, reminders, and mobile widgets.

TaskForge todo list view showing tasks with priorities and due dates on macOS

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Why Use Obsidian as Your Todo List?

Most todo apps lock your tasks in a proprietary format. Obsidian stores everything as plain markdown files on your device, so your tasks are always portable and future-proof.

Your data, your files

Tasks are stored as plain text markdown. No vendor lock-in, no proprietary database.

Tasks live with your notes

Keep tasks in the same vault as your projects, meeting notes, and reference material.

Powerful and flexible

Priorities, due dates, tags, recurring tasks, kanban boards, and custom views.

Works on every device

TaskForge brings your Obsidian tasks to iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android with native apps and widgets.

Creating Your First Task

A task in Obsidian is simply a checkbox in any markdown note. Here is the basic syntax.

Emoji format (Obsidian Tasks style)

- [ ] Buy groceries 📅 2026-03-29

The emoji format uses special emoji characters for dates, priorities, and recurrence. This is the most common format used by the Obsidian Tasks plugin.

Bracket format (Dataview style)

- [ ] Buy groceries [due:: 2026-03-29]

The bracket format uses key-value pairs in square brackets. TaskForge reads both formats automatically.

You do not need to choose one format. TaskForge supports both, and you can even mix them in the same vault.

Organizing Your Todo List

Once you have tasks, you need ways to organize and find them. Here are the key tools.

Priorities

TaskForge supports six priority levels: Highest, High, Medium, Low, Lowest, and None. Assign a priority to help you focus on what matters most.

Due dates and scheduled dates

Set a due date for deadlines and a scheduled date for when you plan to work on a task. TaskForge shows both in your task list and calendar view.

Smart lists

Create saved filters that show exactly the tasks you need. For example, a Today list showing tasks due today, or a High Priority list showing urgent items.

Staying on Track with Reminders

TaskForge sends push notifications to your device so you never miss a deadline.

Multiple reminders per task (for example, one day before and one hour before)
Automatic reminders for tasks with due dates
App badge showing the number of overdue tasks
Complete tasks directly from the notification

Going Mobile: Widgets and Quick Add

Your todo list should be accessible wherever you are. TaskForge makes this easy.

Home screen widgets

Add a widget to your iPhone, iPad, Android, or Mac home screen. See your tasks at a glance and check them off without opening the app.

Quick add

Capture a new task in seconds with the quick add dialog. It supports smart date parsing, so you can type things like 'tomorrow' or 'next Friday' and TaskForge will set the date automatically.

Share extension

Share a link or text from any app to create a task instantly. Available on iOS, macOS, and Android.

TaskForge vs Other Todo Approaches

You can use Obsidian for tasks without any plugins, but TaskForge adds features that make the experience much smoother.

Obsidian alone

Checkboxes in markdown notes
No filtering or sorting
No reminders or notifications
No mobile widgets
Manual searching across files

Obsidian + TaskForge

Priorities, due dates, tags, and statuses
Smart lists with saved filters and sorting
Push notifications with multiple reminders per task
Home screen widgets on all platforms
Quick add, calendar view, and kanban boards

Getting Started in 5 Minutes

Setting up a complete Obsidian todo list with TaskForge takes just a few steps.

Download TaskForge

Get TaskForge from the App Store (iPhone, iPad, Mac) or Google Play (Android). The free version includes core task management features.

Connect your vault

Open TaskForge and point it to your Obsidian vault folder. On iOS, use the Files app to select the folder. On Android, grant access to the vault directory.

Create your first task

Open any note in Obsidian and type a checkbox: - [ ] followed by your task text. Add a due date with the calendar emoji or bracket notation.

Set up a Smart List

In TaskForge, create a custom Smart List with filters for due date, priority, or tags. This becomes your focused view for specific contexts like work or errands.

Add a home screen widget

Long-press your home screen, add a TaskForge widget, and select which Smart List to display. You can now see and complete tasks without opening the app.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These are the most common pitfalls when setting up a todo list in Obsidian, and how to avoid them.

Putting all tasks in one file

Spreading tasks across relevant project notes gives you better context. TaskForge collects tasks from every file in your vault automatically, so you do not need a single tasks file.

Skipping priorities

Without priorities, your task list becomes a flat list of everything. Assign at least High and Low priorities so you can filter and focus on what matters.

Ignoring recurring tasks

Tasks like weekly reviews, monthly reports, or daily habits should be set to recur automatically. TaskForge handles recurrence in both emoji and TaskNotes format.

Not using due dates

Due dates power most of TaskForge's best features: calendar view, smart notifications, overdue badges, and the Today widget. Add dates to tasks that have real deadlines.

Start Your Obsidian Todo List Today

Download TaskForge and turn your Obsidian vault into a powerful todo list. Available for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android.