Getting Things Done (GTD) Workflow
Getting Things Done (GTD) in Phasoric
Build a low-maintenance, date-free action queue using local Markdown notes, context boards, and universal capture.
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The GTD Philosophy in Phasoric
Classical Getting Things Done (GTD) by David Allen relies on a fundamental distinction:
1. The "Hard Landscape" (Calendar & Forge): Reserved exclusively for events, meetings, and commitments that must happen at a specific date and time.
2. Next Actions (Context Queues): Discretionary tasks grouped by context (@computer, @calls, @errands, @reading) rather than artificial due dates.
In many systems, task managers force artificial due dates onto every item, creating visual noise, missed-deadline guilt, and continuous rescheduling overhead. Phasoric allows you to operate a pure GTD workflow backed by standard Markdown files without changing your data architecture.
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1. Quick Capture to a Dedicated Inbox
Instead of scattering tasks across dozens of daily notes, configure your quick-add target to write directly to a dedicated Inbox note:
1. Go to the Tasks page (/app/tasks).
2. In the task creator panel, click Target: Daily Log to open destination settings.
3. Switch the destination mode to Dedicated Inbox Note (GTD Date-Free).
4. Set your target note path (for example, GTD/Inbox.md or inbox.md).
5. Tasks added with the quick creator will now append directly to your inbox note without requiring dates or generating calendar entries.
> Tip: You can also send thoughts, links, and snippets from mobile share sheets, browser extensions, or private inbound email directly into the Capture Inbox (/app/capture).
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2. Setting Up Your Core GTD Notes
A standard Phasoric GTD structure consists of four plain Markdown notes in your vault:
`GTD/Inbox.md`
Your raw capture staging area. Capture thoughts, unprocessed ideas, and action candidates here during the day:
```markdown
GTD Inbox
> Quick capture staging area. Triage unprocessed items regularly.
Unprocessed Items
- [ ] Review launch telemetry feedback
- [ ] Research standing desk converters
- [ ] Ask finance about travel stipend
```
`GTD/Next.md`
Your active, date-free Next Actions list organized by physical context headings or tags:
```markdown
Next Actions
> Date-free next physical actions organized by context.
@computer
- [ ] Draft client architecture review #focus
- [ ] Update build dependency lockfile
@calls
- [ ] Call dentist to confirm appointment #calls
@errands
- [ ] Pick up hardware package from parcel locker #errands
@reading
- [ ] Read distributed systems consensus paper #reading
```
`GTD/Waiting.md`
Tracks items delegated to others or blocked by external dependencies:
```markdown
Waiting For
> Delegated actions and pending external responses.
Delegated & Blocked
- [ ] Awaiting security audit report from third-party auditor #waiting
- [ ] Awaiting contract signature from vendor #waiting
```
`GTD/Someday.md`
Incubating ideas and prospective projects that you are not actively committed to right now:
```markdown
Someday / Maybe
> Non-active ideas and incubating projects for future review.
Ideas & Exploration
- [ ] Explore WebAssembly SQLite compilation #someday
- [ ] Plan summer hiking trip #someday
```
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3. Using the GTD Context Action Board
Switch between standard date-filtered views and the GTD Context view right on the Tasks page:
1. Open the Tasks page (/app/tasks).
2. In the top bar, click the GTD Contexts toggle.
3. Your tasks are dynamically organized into context buckets based on their #tags (e.g. #calls, #errands, #focus, #waiting, #someday) and section headings.
4. Artificial "overdue" alert styling is subdued, allowing you to choose actions based on your current physical context, energy level, and available time.
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4. Building Dynamic Task Quarries
In addition to the built-in GTD view, you can use Quarries (/app/quarries) to build tailored views over your task catalog:
- Next Actions Kanban: Filter
rowType: tasks,status: Pending, grouped bysection. - Waiting For List: Filter
rowType: tasks, tag#waiting, sorted by recent updates. - Someday / Maybe Table: Filter
rowType: tasks, tag#someday.
Once saved, any Task Quarry can be selected directly from the Filter & Task Quarries dropdown on the Tasks page to instantly transform your task board into a focused custom queue.
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5. The Low-Maintenance Weekly Review
GTD relies on a regular Weekly Review to keep your queues trustworthy:
1. Empty Your Inboxes: Process items in Capture Inbox and GTD/Inbox.md. Decide if each item is actionable, delegable, deferrable, or archival.
2. Review Next Actions: Check off completed items in GTD/Next.md and clarify new next physical steps.
3. Audit Waiting For: Follow up on items in GTD/Waiting.md.
4. Use AI Intelligence: Run the built-in tasks-decisions task or a custom Prompt Recipe on project notes or meeting transcripts to extract next actions automatically.
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1-Click Starter Setup
To automatically create the four GTD notes (GTD/Inbox.md, GTD/Next.md, GTD/Waiting.md, GTD/Someday.md) and preconfigure the saved Task Quarries in your vault, click Setup GTD in the Tasks page filter panel or install the GTD Next Actions pack from the Pack Library (/app/packs).