Integration

November 3, 2025

TaskNotes Integration Guide: One Task Per File with YAML Frontmatter

Discover how TaskForge supports the TaskNotes format for Obsidian, allowing you to manage tasks with one task per file using YAML frontmatter. Perfect for detailed task documentation, rich metadata, and structured note-taking workflows.

TaskForge TaskNotes integration on macOS showing one task per file with YAML frontmatter

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What Is TaskNotes Format?

TaskNotes is a task management format that stores one task per file using YAML frontmatter for metadata. Unlike inline tasks scattered across your notes, TaskNotes gives each task its own dedicated file with structured properties and plenty of room for detailed documentation.

One Task Per File

Each task lives in its own markdown file, giving you unlimited space for notes, attachments, and documentation.

YAML Frontmatter

Store task metadata in structured YAML frontmatter for status, priority, dates, tags, and custom properties.

Flexible Identification

Identify TaskNotes by tag or custom property. Choose the method that fits your workflow best.

Configurable Folders

Set a default folder for new TaskNotes and organize them however works for your vault structure.

What Does a TaskNotes File Look Like?

Here's what a typical TaskNotes file looks like in your Obsidian vault:

---
status: in-progress
priority: high
due: 2025-10-15
tags:
  - work
  - project-alpha
created: 2025-10-01
---

# Review PR #123

Review the new authentication system PR and provide feedback on:

- [ ] Code quality and patterns
- [ ] Test coverage
- [ ] Documentation completeness
- [ ] Security considerations

## Notes

- Need to verify the new token refresh logic
- Check that rate limiting is properly implemented
- Test with various user permission levels

## Links

- [[Authentication Design Doc]]
- [[Security Guidelines]]

What Properties Does TaskNotes Support?

Status

Task completion state: todo, in-progress, on-hold, planned, or done

status: in-progress

Priority

Task importance: highest, high, medium, low, or lowest

priority: high

Dates

Due dates, scheduled dates, start dates, and completion dates

due: 2025-10-15 scheduled: 2025-10-10 start: 2025-10-01

Recurrence

Set up recurring tasks with flexible intervals

recurrence: every week

How Do I Configure TaskNotes?

1

Enable Task Files

Open Settings > Task Types, toggle 'Task Files' on, then tap 'Task File Settings' to configure identification, default folder, and field mapping.
2

Choose Identification Method

Select how TaskForge should identify TaskNotes files: by a specific tag (e.g., #task) or by a custom property (e.g., type: task).
3

Set Default Folder

Choose a default folder where new TaskNotes should be created. This helps keep your vault organized.
4

Choose Default Format

Decide whether new tasks should be created as TaskNotes or inline tasks by default. You can always override this per custom list.
5

Customize Field Mapping (Optional)

Advanced: Customize the YAML property names if you use different field names in your vault.

When Should I Use TaskNotes vs. Inline Tasks?

Use TaskNotes When:

You need detailed task documentation
Tasks require multiple notes and attachments
You prefer structured metadata
Tasks are complex projects
You want searchable task archives

Use Inline Tasks When:

Tasks are simple action items
Tasks belong in meeting notes
You prefer tasks embedded in context
Quick capture is priority
You use the Obsidian Tasks plugin

Good news: You don't have to choose! TaskForge supports both formats side by side. Use TaskNotes for big projects and inline tasks for quick action items - all in one unified task list.

What Advanced TaskNotes Features Are Available?

Beyond the basics of one-task-per-file management, TaskNotes offers several advanced features that let you tailor the system to your exact workflow. These options are especially useful if you already have an established vault structure or specific conventions for how you organize notes.

Custom Field Mapping

If your vault already uses different YAML property names, you do not need to change them. TaskForge lets you remap its default field names to match yours. For example, if you use 'state' instead of 'status' or 'importance' instead of 'priority,' you can configure TaskForge to read and write those fields directly. This means you can adopt TaskNotes without restructuring a single existing file.

Custom Filename Formats

Control exactly how new TaskNotes files are named using variables like {title}, {date}, and {priority}. For instance, you could set the format to '{date}-{title}' so every task file starts with its creation date, making it easy to sort files chronologically in Obsidian's file explorer. This is especially helpful for people who rely on date-based naming conventions.

Body Templates

Define a default markdown body template that gets inserted into every new TaskNotes file. If you always want a Notes section, a Checklist section, and a Links section in your task files, set up a body template once and every new task starts with that structure. Templates save you from typing the same boilerplate content over and over.

Projects and Contexts

TaskNotes supports project and context annotations using the +ProjectName and @context syntax. Tag a task with +WebsiteRedesign to tie it to a specific project, or @office to indicate where the work should happen. These annotations work alongside regular tags, giving you a richer way to categorize and filter tasks across your vault.

How Do I Migrate from Inline Tasks to TaskNotes?

If you have been using inline tasks and want to start taking advantage of TaskNotes, the good news is that you do not have to switch everything at once. TaskForge supports both formats simultaneously, so you can migrate gradually at your own pace.

Start with Complex Tasks

The best candidates for migration are tasks that have outgrown a single line. If you find yourself adding long descriptions, multiple subtasks, or reference links to an inline task, that task is a natural fit for the TaskNotes format where it gets its own file and unlimited space for documentation.

Keep Simple Tasks Inline

Not every task needs its own file. Quick action items like 'Buy groceries' or 'Reply to Sarah's email' work perfectly well as inline tasks. Save the TaskNotes format for tasks that genuinely benefit from structured metadata and detailed notes.

Use Both Formats Simultaneously

TaskForge shows inline tasks and TaskNotes together in the same unified task list. You do not need to worry about mixing formats - both types appear in your custom lists, calendar views, and widgets. The app handles the difference behind the scenes so you can focus on your work.

Organize TaskNotes in a Dedicated Folder

Create a dedicated folder in your vault for TaskNotes files, such as 'Tasks' or 'TaskNotes.' This keeps your vault tidy and makes it easy to find task files in Obsidian's file explorer. Set this folder as the default location in TaskForge settings so every new TaskNotes file lands in the right place automatically.

Migrate in Batches

Rather than converting all your inline tasks at once, pick one project or one area of your life to migrate first. Move your work tasks to TaskNotes for a week and see how it feels. Once you are comfortable with the workflow, expand to other areas. This gradual approach lets you refine your field mapping and templates before committing fully.

Ready to Try TaskNotes?

Download TaskForge and start using TaskNotes format for your detailed task management workflows in Obsidian. Learn about all TaskNotes capabilities on our features page , and check out the latest TaskNotes enhancements for recent updates.