Archive

The archive is where tasks go after they've rolled over multiple days in a row without any completion activity.

The archive prevents your task list from getting cluttered with stale tasks that keep rolling over.

How to use

How tasks end up in the archive

Tasks end up in the archive because they have rolled over as incomplete for several consecutive days in a row. By default, that is more than four days. Tracking time on a task or completing one of its subtasks keeps it out of the archive. When tasks are archived, you will see:

  • A “N tasks moved to archive” callout at the bottom of your task list
  • A number badge on Archive (the circular arrow icon) in the right hand panel

Accessing the archive

You can open the archive by:

  • Clicking Archive in the right hand panel’s + menu
  • Using keyboard shortcut Shift A
  • Using the command palette
  • Clicking the callout at the bottom of your task list

Changing your archive setting

Change when tasks move into the archive with the N consecutive days dropdown at the top of the archive panel. Choose from 1 to 14 days, or Disable auto-archive. If auto-archive is off, the panel offers Enable auto-archive.

To clear everything out, click Delete all in the panel header. This deletes every task in the archive, and you can restore them from the trash for a week.

Triaging your archive

To move a task out of the archive, pick a new day for it. Archived tasks also show up in search with an Archived tag. Tasks typically appear in the archive because:

  1. They are not important and do not need work soon – delete them or move them to the backlog.
  2. Too many daily tasks are causing overcrowding – plan less work going forward.
  3. Important but procrastinated – move the task back to your list and block time to work on it.

Best practices

  • Check the archive if you are unsure where a task went. A badge appears next to Archive when tasks have been archived.
  • If important tasks keep getting archived, expand the threshold from four days or disable auto-archive entirely.
  • Create a recurring “Review Archive” task to prevent losing sight of archived items.