Taskday: Why I Built Yet Another Todo App
In a world filled with productivity apps, you might wonder why anyone would create another todo list application. Yet, here I am, doing exactly that.
The Notepad Dilemma
For a while my only productivity tool was a simple notepad. I’d scribble down the tasks I needed to tackle that day write a date on top of the page and thats it. It was quick, easy, and kept me focused on what truly mattered. The problem? I’d leave that notepad everywhere and when I needed to check my tasks, more often than not, my notepad was nowhere to be found.
This constant game of “Where’s my todo list?” made me think: What if I could have the simplicity of a notepad, but accessible from anywhere?
Enter Taskday
Taskday is the digital version of my notepad. It’s a Progressive Web App (PWA) that brings the simplicity of jotting down tasks on paper to any device you own. Whether you’re on your work laptop, personal computer, or smartphone, it is there, ready to show you what’s on your plate for the day.
Keeping It Simple
The core philosophy behind it is simplicity. Many todo apps out there are feature-rich, offering complex organization systems, integrations, and bells and whistles. While these can be great for some, they often overcomplicate the simple act of remembering what you need to do today.
Taskday focuses on three key things:
- What you need to do today
- A place to jot down future tasks
- History of what you did previous days
That’s it. No complex categorization, no sub-tasks, no dashboards. Just a clear view of your day and a space to dump ideas for later.
Why Another Todo App?
You might still be wondering, “But why build this when there are so many todo apps out there?” The answer is simple: I like building things… and also it fills a specific niche - it’s for people who:
- Want the simplicity similar to a paper todo list
- Need access across multiple devices
- Don’t want to get bogged down in complex organizational systems
- Like to focus on today’s tasks while still having a place for future ideas
The beauty of personal projects
Your personal projects don’t need to revolutionize the world, or be money printing machines. They just need to solve a problem you care about, even if that problem is as simple as “I keep losing my notepad.”
Moreover, personal projects offer a perfect opportunity to explore new technologies that you might not get to use in your day job. Whether it’s trying out Golang for backend development, experimenting with HTMX or diving into a some new crazy frontend framework, side projects provide a risk-free playground for learning and growth.
In the end, whether your app reaches a wide audience or remains your personal tool, the journey of building it is invaluable. It’s about learning, creating, and solving problems either you or possibly other people have.
If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to drop me a message on twitter