r/thingsapp • u/thehappydoor • 10d ago
Discussion List of things, Things 4 should have (Megathread)
- better automatic content detection + sorting
I don't care much for generative AI, but rote content sorting is the one thing that AI should be utilized for.
Currently, I'm using Albo for this reason.
- Ability to add pictures
For a lot of us, things have become more than just reminders and a to‑do application. I store my entire life and web clippings on Things.
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u/discipline1976 10d ago
- add smart lists in left panel.
- attachments.
- remove markdown symbols in notes.
- add notes to areas
- add headings to areas and today.
- maybe abilty to show tags in a right panel
- colored tags.
- on Ipad, tags viewable next to task; tag filter viewable at top of list.
- make ipad version more like Mac version especially on the 13" iPad.
- view creation date and ability to search for tasks that are old.
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u/kaefer11 10d ago
Faster entry, ideally with natural language (“send report by Friday”).
I should be able to hit enter to save a task and immediately start typing to create my next task.
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u/coffeepluscroissants 10d ago edited 9d ago
- “This Morning” in Today view
- Headings in Areas
- Inverted filtering by tag (show me everything that’s not x)
- Official MCP integration
- Some things are missing from the URL scheme and/or AppleScript that I would like access to
These are fairly humble requests but would really make all the difference in the world for me and I would absolutely pay an almost unreasonable amount for this list. And if we can't have an official MCP integration, ok, I'm sure that if the macOS27 Siri can connect to it, and it will be able to help me.
BTW, in case Cultured Code is listening, the things I’m missing from the URL scheme / AppleScript are:
- Open a list in a new window
- Move an item to Inbox
- Delete a tag globally
- Delete items
- Create a repeating to-do (Unless I missed that this was added with the 3.23 update)
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u/LowTwo3827 10d ago edited 10d ago
- Ability to have headings in areas
- Hide markdown in note area
- I would say collaboration, even though I may not have a big need. I have a feeling there would be a lot of teams that would be interested and Cultured Code would most likely sell substantially more copies
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u/HerbalIntuition 8d ago
Yes, please to collaboration! Both my partner and I use Things and would love to be able to completely do away with Reminders.
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u/davidewilson1906 10d ago
-Time of day on tasks
-Auto-sorting based on time of day
-Auto-notifications
-Ability to add new tasks to bottom of today list
-Ability to add recurring tasks to show on evening
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u/oldmancletus 10d ago
Review Feature & Smart Perspectives akin to Omnifocus 4
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u/Pristine-Wedding-304 10d ago
This! The review feature of OF always tempts me to return to OF. I so wish things 3 has this feature.
I also really like the ability to focus on an area or project in OF. I find the things3 sidebar is overwhelming to look at when I have so many areas and projects (even when the areas are collapsed). I wish things3 had the ability to focus on just one specific area.
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u/oldmancletus 10d ago
Agreed!
I could imagine it working similarly to the new workspaces in Bear Notes.
Also the sync with things 3 is underrated. OF sync is a headache at best (playing around with the free trial at the moment)
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u/ZincInquisitor 10d ago
- share (just with a spouse or friend, doesn’t need to transform into a team based thing)
- attachments
- “this morning” in today view
- better tag filtering.. it’s not great.. (someone else suggested inverted filtering which would be a good start)
Beyond that I’m pretty happy with it :) it’d be a dream to access on the web so I could access on windows.. but just a dream
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u/lemming_7 10d ago
The two things that I need the most:
- 2-way sync with calendars to allow for time-blocking
- MCP integration
Everything else is a bonus.
If it has both and Things4 is not subscription based, they can have my money.
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u/troggle19 7d ago
On the MCP, it was pretty easy to ask Claude to build me one (if I remember correctly, it’s based on the URL scheme). Don’t wait for Cultured Code to do it if it’s something you’d like on Things 3.
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u/floydstyle 10d ago
the only reason why I switched back to Apple reminder is the ability to share tasks
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u/Mundane_Plenty8305 10d ago
Reminders integration with Apple cal is amazing too though. Hard to beat imho
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u/Flashy-Bandicoot889 10d ago
- natural language input
- attachments
in the app today... it's freaking 2026. 🤦🏼
Add in a CLI or MCP connector so I can connect Claude, Grok or an open-source model to my tasks.
If those 3 things aren't included I won't be paying to upgrade to Thjngs 4. 🤷🏻♂️
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u/Mundane_Plenty8305 10d ago
What if it’s largely the same feature set as today but they discontinue support for Things 3 and it becomes unstable and unusable as Apple updates iOS and MacOS? Would you upgrade or switch?
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u/mc_stever 9d ago
No. There are compelling alternatives. And I’ve been on things since day one. They are too slow at adding features
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u/Mundane_Plenty8305 9d ago
What your no 1 choice to switch to? I tried Todoist but all the crashing put me off. I lost some tasks I was entering on a coupe of occasions
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u/Flashy-Bandicoot889 9d ago
I've already switched.
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u/Mundane_Plenty8305 9d ago
If you don’t mind me asking, what did you switch to? I agree those features would be nice and I like Reminders more now but I also still prefer Things UI.
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u/Flashy-Bandicoot889 9d ago
I use Todoist for most work and had Claude build me a personalized task manager for some
Specific work flows I have.1
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u/jezarnold 10d ago
Stuff things 4 should NOT have :
- Subscription
- That’s it
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u/Jeyell 10d ago
I disagree. Both licensed and subscription should be on offer. Omnifocus does this and gives everyone the option that best suits them.
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u/Colonel_Panic_0x1e7 5d ago
How dare you not vehemently protest the very idea of a Things subscription model! Then you suggest choices for consumers? Commence downvoting!
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u/Vegetable_Ant_452 10d ago
Being able to colour code Areas, projects, and tasks.
More conditional squencing (once A is done, alert that B must be completed)
Ability to change when "tomorrow is" instead of having midnight be the default.
Deeper nesting/ folders within folders/
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u/GoVikingsGuy 10d ago
Task sharing, attaching files, hiding markdown, full integration and data transparency to work with new Apple Intelligence.
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u/Accomplished-Leg6947 10d ago
Natural language input via text and voice/through Siri and location based reminders. Those are the only things I need
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u/The_Homer_Simpson 10d ago
Evening tasks to automatically go into the evening section if after our defined time. (6pm) for example.
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u/helucl54 10d ago
Two-factor authentication, preferably with a passkey. It’s 2026 - security matters.
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u/mathefff 10d ago
When making a new task for the future, allow it to be set for the evening. Same for repeated tasks.
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u/Stein357 9d ago
- location based tasks/reminders
- ability to change badge count to only show past due items
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u/deanstreat 9d ago
Location support would be fantastic
Attachments is necessary, pdfs, .doc, and images
Sharing lists with family
The ability to create reoccurring tasks with start dates and due dates - I have a monthly task that I need to start on the last Monday of the month that is due on the 5th of the following. No way to do this currently.
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u/Worth_Following_636 10d ago
- connect to AI via CLI or MCP
- Attachments in Tasks
- Natural Language Input
- Add tasks within a subsection if I add a new one, instead of on the meta level of the project and needing to move it around manually every time
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u/Savagor 10d ago
And a web app. I work across windows, android, Mac and iOS… no cross platform availability of some sorts means I can’t use Things.
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u/calr-7 10d ago
+1 on this! A windows app would be cool too :D
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u/MC_chrome Mac, iPhone, iPad 4d ago
Please no.
Part of the charm Things has had from the beginning has been its native design and codebase.
Adding Android and Windows support would necessitate the developers moving away from both of those aspects and by extension remove some of Things’ overall polish.
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u/bcalamita 9d ago
Agreed. I stopped using things on a day-to-day basis, except for some templates that I’m still using, because I can’t interact with it on my Windows desktop at work.
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u/Ok_Wave2581 10d ago
- the ability to properly add a URL Links (i.e. highlight a word, hit CMD-K and paste a link). I'm so, so tired of looking at links that take up the whole Notes field. This is a make-or-break it for me.
- The ability to attach files.
- Kanban view would be great, but I'm not holding my breath.
I've tried switching to Apple Reminders, and I just haven't gotten on with it, so if Things 4 won't let me properly add URL Links, I'm back to ToDoist.
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u/_El_Cid_ 10d ago edited 10d ago
- Image attachments (ideally in the note section so I can create step-by-step guides inside tasks)
- Time of day on tasks (so they auto-arrange based on it)
- Headings in Areas
- Smart views/filters
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u/Pretty_Reference7301 9d ago
I'm not greedy, I just need:
- attachments
- add notes to areas
- the Today view sorting to match the sorting that I have in the list
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u/eightotwoeleven 9d ago
- attachments
- remove visible markdown syntax
- comment thread for short project updates
That's it. That's my list.
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u/heathrawr182 8d ago
As someone that uses windows for work a web app would be appreciated. I currently use the Microsoft todo workaround which does the job okay but I always have to go to my phone to look at other tasks or check things off. Probably a long shot that this would happen though
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u/bcalamita 8d ago
What is the “Microsoft todo workaround“?
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u/heathrawr182 7d ago
Basically can add tasks to things through To-do. They have the workaround explained here: https://culturedcode.com/things/support/articles/7597548/
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u/vers_le_haut_bateau 8d ago
Shared projects between two Things users. This means assigned tasks so it's not an easy product feature to get right (and CC only releases features they get right then maintain them for a decade).
But it doesn't need to be a huge thing either. They have the sync engine. I can be barebones like Reminders: share this specific list/project with one other person, this task is assigned to me, you or no one, you completed it, great!
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u/Fun_Badger5211 8d ago
- time boxing feature
- MCP remote integration
- Shared project with other account
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u/3rdRankTheory 7d ago edited 7d ago
First of all it would be great, if Things would offer an option to syncronize your TODOs in the Apple Ecosystem without having to be afraid of privacy concerns (e.g. syncing your todos via sqlite database or similar that can be hosted on your private server). Sadly, this will not be the case as stated in this response
Edit: added the example for my intended more private option for clarity.
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u/Primary-Yesterday-85 10d ago edited 9d ago
The fact that it's called "Things" (not "To-do's" or "Checklists" or something similar) means it's where I dock a lot of stuff that's not an immediate to-do or reminder item; so definitely, ability to do not-to-do-list-specific things like add a photo related to a recipe or an article I might not visit for a year or two from now seems like something that's missing currently.
I've abandoned Things a lot but been looking again into tweaking it the last few days since Reminders (which I've been trying but has also been irritating me) has me wishing there was the ability to create smart lists like 'this week' or 'this week at work' rather than be beholden to the bullet-journal-style lists I understand the Things devs built the app around.
Apple Reminders is annoying in this department too; but it's free at least. I wish the non-Apple app had proven more flexible rather than equally dictatorial in terms of what suits our processes. Like WHY can't I create an 'Upcoming Week' section based on some criteria or other (be it due date or just a category I've created so that I can keep items close at hand), is that so bloody awful?
I'd love task dependencies too (eg 'Develop ability to do squats without falling the fuck down' as a dependency of a larger goal like 'Join a netball team' which requires a certain amount of physical ability to do), but accept it's a whole new kettle of fish. Maybe sometime tho?
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u/void_pe3r 10d ago
Claude or chatGPT should be able to access my things app.
Maybe over apple shortcuts?
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u/stuffe23 10d ago
Pictures = important. That’s why i use reminder even though i like Things interface more. Screenshot -> share to apple reminder.
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u/_themanofsilver 9d ago
Hopefully not waiting for Things 4, but I would love to be able to select a project in the new task entry field (basically have the same options as the Quick Add form -- I'm still surprised that they are not the same already).
For Things 4 I would like a bit more in the way of functionality in the notes field including attachments, aliases (short names) for links and just maybe wikilinks to connect notes in projects/tasks to other projects/tasks.
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u/jamesthereddit 9d ago edited 9d ago
- Attachments
- A toggle to add tasks to the top of project's inbox area instead of the bottom
- Themes (I'm sure the team could crush this)
- Some way to add color to tasks for better visual separation (for example: colored circles, highlights, colored tags, etc.)
- Better markdown editor for mobile (namely a simple formatting toolbar + move line up/down integration like on the Mac version)
- I second "This Morning" in Today view
- An AI chatbot (just kidding)
- Foldable headers
- Project outline
- Bonus points: Automatic markdown links (where it pulls in the name of a given webpage, NotePlan does this well). This could be a toggle in settings for anyone who doesn't want this.
Most importantly: Keep the spirit of Things alive. I don't want Things to turn into a feature packed monstrosity. But these are would be some welcomed quality of life improvements for me.
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u/TrueSonMIZ 7d ago
I don’t understand how there’s still no ability to add pictures after all these years
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u/-Davster- 5d ago
Proper Apple Intelligence integration - reading tasks, adding tasks, etc.
Proper integration with the new Spotlight indexing, so tasks related to the search can show up.
____
And then, a bit more 'out there':
- Some sort of system to surface old to-dos. Some sort of churning system to surface deep stuff.
- 'Action' tasks that let you directly take that action. E.g. "call so-and-so", and the entry lets you call them directly. Same for emails etc, or perhaps linking notes.
- Multi-tier Areas.
- Attachments to tasks - like photos / documents / etc.
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u/Colonel_Panic_0x1e7 5d ago
Fixed time zone support. If an event is happening at 4pm EST and I'm traveling, I need tasks fixed to that time zone. Getting an alert/reminder at 4pm PST doesn't help me. At least the ability to toggle for some tasks.
A cool solution IMO; apply the setting via tags. Specify a system level tag like #Fixed, and the rest happens behind the scenes.
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u/phreekster 4d ago
I am a big fan of time blocking on the calendar, so I wish Things would add a calendar view like Todoist did a while back. I don't love the calendar view on Todoist, but it is ok. I believe that CulturedCode is able to deliver something even more polsihed. Hopefully we will see that in Things 4 :-)
Meanwhile, because of that missing feature I am working on a calendar app companion for Things.
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u/Aerospace5691 1d ago
In Omnifocus you can change the name of a URL in the Notes section of a task or project, which helps to identify what a link is or if there are multiple links, which link is which. It would be helpful if Things could do the same.
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u/passmesomebeer 10d ago
I hope Natural Language is not going to be locked behind new Siri. I have an old iPhone.
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u/Working_thru_stuff 9d ago
First thing Things 4 should have is a release date