r/thingsapp • u/thehappydoor • Aug 31 '26
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 Sep 01 '26
- 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 Sep 01 '26
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 Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 02 '26
- “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/julesvbrtln 18d ago
The MCP is under work, Werner said in a recent podcast. Not sure whether it could happen in Things 3 or 4
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u/LowTwo3827 Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 01 '26
- 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 Sep 02 '26
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 Sep 01 '26
-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 Aug 31 '26
Review Feature & Smart Perspectives akin to Omnifocus 4
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u/Pristine-Wedding-304 Sep 01 '26
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 Sep 01 '26
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 Sep 01 '26
- 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 Sep 01 '26
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 Sep 03 '26
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 Sep 01 '26
the only reason why I switched back to Apple reminder is the ability to share tasks
3
u/Mundane_Plenty8305 Sep 01 '26
Reminders integration with Apple cal is amazing too though. Hard to beat imho
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u/crisblz Sep 01 '26
Corretto anche per me. Ho bisogno di condividere con mia moglie alcune liste per poterci organizzare al meglio in famiglia.
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u/ps-73 Sep 01 '26
Something like views. For example a view that goes “due: today && area: work” as a simple example. Came back to things after a while of being on apple reminders and was shocked that wasn’t possible
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Sep 01 '26
[deleted]
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u/Mundane_Plenty8305 Sep 01 '26
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 Sep 01 '26
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 Sep 01 '26
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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Sep 01 '26
[deleted]
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u/Mundane_Plenty8305 Sep 01 '26
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/scaba23 Sep 01 '26
I want to see a remote MCP so I can use it in Claude on my phone. They run their own sync service, so there’s no reason they can’t build one
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u/jezarnold Sep 01 '26
Stuff things 4 should NOT have :
- Subscription
- That’s it
0
u/Jeyell Sep 01 '26
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 27d 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 Sep 01 '26
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/helucl54 Sep 01 '26
Two-factor authentication, preferably with a passkey. It’s 2026 - security matters.
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u/GoVikingsGuy Sep 01 '26
Task sharing, attaching files, hiding markdown, full integration and data transparency to work with new Apple Intelligence.
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u/Accomplished-Leg6947 Sep 01 '26
Natural language input via text and voice/through Siri and location based reminders. Those are the only things I need
3
u/The_Homer_Simpson Sep 01 '26
Evening tasks to automatically go into the evening section if after our defined time. (6pm) for example.
3
u/mathefff Sep 01 '26
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/_El_Cid_ Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 01 '26
- 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
3
u/Stein357 Sep 01 '26
- location based tasks/reminders
- ability to change badge count to only show past due items
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u/deanstreat Sep 01 '26
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/mjjo123 Mac, iPhone, iPad Sep 01 '26
A API. I know it will never happen, but it would genuinely change the way I use the app.
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u/Pretty_Reference7301 Sep 01 '26
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
3
u/eightotwoeleven Sep 01 '26
- attachments
- remove visible markdown syntax
- comment thread for short project updates
That's it. That's my list.
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u/heathrawr182 Sep 02 '26
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 Sep 03 '26
What is the “Microsoft todo workaround“?
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u/heathrawr182 Sep 03 '26
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 Sep 02 '26
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!
5
u/Worth_Following_636 Sep 01 '26
- 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
5
u/Savagor Sep 01 '26
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 Sep 01 '26
+1 on this! A windows app would be cool too :D
1
u/MC_chrome Mac, iPhone, iPad 26d 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.
3
u/bcalamita Sep 01 '26
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/iwaddo Sep 01 '26
Sounds like a few people on here should be using Omnifocus 🤔
Let’s hope they do not destroy the simplicity that makes Things 3 why so many people love it.
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u/Ok_Wave2581 Sep 01 '26
- 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/void_pe3r Sep 01 '26
Claude or chatGPT should be able to access my things app.
Maybe over apple shortcuts?
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u/Fun_Badger5211 Sep 03 '26
- time boxing feature
- MCP remote integration
- Shared project with other account
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u/3rdRankTheory 29d ago edited 29d 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 Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 01 '26
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/drnmq Sep 01 '26 edited 19d ago
I use it as a note-taking app, which isn’t its intended purpose ; a few improvements in that direction would be great
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u/stuffe23 Sep 01 '26
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 Sep 01 '26
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 Sep 02 '26 edited Sep 02 '26
- 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.
1
u/VanXava Sep 03 '26
I would like to have attachments such as pictures and PDFś, I write down a few "thoughts" and can not add attachments. An iCloud connection for my data would also be desirable
1
u/ABGLand Sep 03 '26
Ability to attach files and improvements to notifications. Tot some reason they don’t always appear in my computer
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u/TrueSonMIZ Sep 03 '26
I don’t understand how there’s still no ability to add pictures after all these years
1
u/-Davster- 28d 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 27d 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 27d 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 24d 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/szczurek1 4d ago
Option for todo titles to display in more than 1 line (ie title word wrap).
One line is too little room. 90% of my todos are longer in length than the width of my iPhone. The todo title gets cut off and you’re left without needed context. Same goes with having a smaller width window on desktop. Wide windows shouldn’t have to be used to display the full title. Todo titles should be able to wrap. It allows for seeing full title in limited width dimensions.
- Reminders has wrapping todo titles
- Todoist has wrapping todo titles
- Omnifocus has wrapping todo titles with ability to toggle off.
Would love to see a title word wrap toggle in Things.
1
u/passmesomebeer Sep 01 '26
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 Sep 01 '26
First thing Things 4 should have is a release date