jubaTask - Simple Todo List
jubaTask is a to-do list with almost nothing in it, on purpose. The name comes from the cheetah's scientific name, Acinonyx jubatus, and the idea is speed: open it, type what you need to do, and get back to doing it. There are no projects, tags, due dates or settings to think about.
Each task sits on one line with a circle to tick it off and a bin icon to remove it. Finished tasks stay on the list with a line through them, so you can see what you have already done today, until you decide to delete them.
It works well as a daily scratch list, a shopping list, a packing list or a list of small chores, and for anyone who has tried feature-packed task managers and found they spent more time organising than doing.
The app runs entirely in your browser. What you enter is saved only on this device.
How to use jubaTask
- Add a task. Type in the "Add a new task" box at the top and press Enter, or tap the + button. The task appears at the top of the list.
- Tick it off. Tap the circle to the left of a task when it is done. It turns into a check mark and the text is greyed out and struck through.
- Undo a tick. Tap the check mark again if you ticked the wrong task or need to do it again. It returns to normal.
- Delete a task. Tap the bin icon on the right of a task to remove it. There is no confirmation step, so tap carefully.
- Come back later. Your list is saved automatically after every change, so it is still there when you reopen the page in this browser.
Features
- Add a task from one text box with Enter or the + button
- Newest tasks appear at the top
- Tap to mark tasks done, with strike-through styling
- Tap again to mark a task as not done
- Delete individual tasks with one tap
- Automatic saving in this browser, no account
- Clean layout that fits a phone or a narrow desktop window
Making a short to-do list actually work
Write tasks as actions
"Dentist" is a topic; "Call the dentist to book a check-up" is a task. Starting each item with a verb such as call, email, buy, fix or send makes it obvious what to do next, and it removes the small moment of hesitation that often turns into procrastination. If a task needs several steps, write down only the very next physical action.
Keep the list short
A list that never ends is discouraging. Many people find that three to five important items per day is realistic once meetings, messages and interruptions are taken into account. If the list grows longer, move the extras to a separate "later" list on paper or in another place, and keep this one for what you genuinely intend to do soon.
Do the two-minute jobs straight away
A well-known rule from productivity writer David Allen is that if something takes less than about two minutes, doing it immediately is usually faster than writing it down and coming back to it. Reserve the list for things that need real time or have to wait for the right moment.
Put the most important task first
Because jubaTask places new tasks at the top, the order you type them in becomes the order on screen. Add the least urgent item first and the most important one last, and it will sit at the top where you see it. Tackling that one before checking messages tends to protect your best working time.
Enjoy the ticks, then clear up
Seeing completed items struck through gives a small sense of progress, which is part of why lists help motivation. At the end of the day, delete the finished tasks so tomorrow starts with a clean list containing only what is still open. Anything that has stayed unticked for days is worth a second look: break it into a smaller first step, schedule it, or decide that it doesn't need doing.
Frequently asked questions
Where are my tasks stored?
Only in this browser on this device. There is no account and nothing is uploaded. Clearing browser data, using a private window or switching browsers or devices means you won't see the list.
Can I edit a task after adding it?
No. To change one, delete it and add it again with the new wording.
Can I reorder tasks?
Not by dragging. New tasks always go to the top, so add them in reverse order of importance if you want the key one first.
Can I delete by swiping?
No. Use the bin icon at the right end of each task. Deletion happens straight away without a confirmation.
Does it have reminders or due dates?
No. jubaTask is intentionally a plain list without dates, reminders, categories or sub-tasks.
How is the web version different from the phone app?
The list works the same way. The iPhone and Android apps keep the list on your phone, which is handy when you are out; the two do not sync with each other.
Limitations of the web version
- No editing, drag-to-reorder or swipe-to-delete
- No due dates, reminders or categories
- Deleting a task cannot be undone
- Tasks stay in one browser and do not sync between devices
Phone app
jubaTask is also available as an app for phones and tablets: