Glossary
A comprehensive guide to key terms and concepts in Locus GTD. All terms are listed alphabetically for easy reference.
A
Alarm Reminder
iOS 26.0+: A strong notification using the system alarm that can't be easily dismissed. Includes snooze option and shows in Dynamic Island.
Attachment
Files, photos, or documents associated with a task. Stored using external storage for efficient data management.
B
Batch Processing
Handling multiple similar tasks at once (e.g., all phone calls, all errands) for efficiency.
C
Calendar Event
An item from Apple Calendar displayed in Locus GTD. Events show alongside tasks in Schedule and Calendar views.
Calendar Range
The time period for which calendar events are displayed (7, 14, 30, or 90 days).
Calendar Sync
The process of importing events from selected Apple Calendars into Locus GTD for unified viewing.
CloudKit
Apple's cloud service used for syncing data with end-to-end encryption.
Custom Notification
A reminder set for a specific date and time, independent of the task's due date. Tasks can have multiple custom notifications.
D
Defer Date
The date when a task becomes available to work on. Tasks with future defer dates are hidden from most views until that date arrives.
Desktop Quick Action
Long-press the app icon on your home screen to quickly add a task without opening the app.
Drag & Drop
Touch and hold a task to drag it for reordering or to make it a subtask of another task.
Due Date
The date and time when a task should be completed. Tasks with due dates appear in the Schedule view and can trigger reminders.
Duration
The estimated time needed to complete a task, measured in minutes. Used for filtering quick tasks or planning time blocks.
E
Event
A time-specific task with a start time and optional end time. Events are similar to calendar appointments and can be displayed in the calendar view.
F
Filter Rules
Criteria used to create perspectives: Status Rules, Date Rules, Flag Rules, Project Rules, Tag Rules, Duration Rules, and Task Type Rules.
Flagged Task
A task marked with a flag (⚑) to indicate high priority or importance. Flagged tasks appear in the homepage task list for quick access.
Folder
A container for organizing projects hierarchically. Folders can contain projects and other folders, allowing for nested organization.
Free Version
Basic task management with limited projects, tags, perspectives, and core GTD features.
G
Global Search
iOS 26.0+: Search functionality accessible from the homepage to find tasks, projects, and tags across your entire system.
GTD (Getting Things Done)
A time management method created by David Allen that helps you capture, clarify, organize, reflect on, and engage with your tasks and commitments. The five steps are: Capture, Clarify, Organize, Reflect, and Engage.
H
Homepage
The main screen showing quick add button, starred projects and perspectives, flagged tasks or custom task list, and access to Inbox, Schedule, Next Actions, and Calendar.
I
iCloud Sync
Automatic synchronization of your data across all your Apple devices using iCloud.
Inbox
A temporary holding place for capturing tasks that haven't been organized yet. The inbox is where you quickly capture ideas, thoughts, and tasks without worrying about organization.
Inbox Processing
The act of going through inbox items and deciding what to do with each one: organize into projects, add tags, set due dates, delete, or convert to projects.
Inbox Zero
The practice of regularly processing your inbox until it's empty, ensuring all items are properly organized.
L
Logbook
A historical record of completed tasks, providing a log of your accomplishments over time.
N
Next Action
The very next physical, visible activity that needs to be done to move a task or project forward. In Locus GTD, the Next Actions view shows you the most important tasks you can work on right now.
Note
Additional details, context, or instructions for a task or project. Supports rich text formatting.
O
Order
A numeric value determining the position of tasks within a project or projects within a folder. Lower numbers appear first.
P
Perspective
A custom filtered view of tasks based on specific criteria. Perspectives save filter combinations so you can quickly see relevant tasks.
Premium Version
Unlocks unlimited projects, calendar integration, advanced features, and priority support.
Processing Mode
A card-based interface for efficiently organizing inbox items by swiping through each task and making decisions.
Project
Any desired outcome that requires more than one action step. Projects help organize related tasks toward a common goal.
Project Category
A classification system for grouping related projects. Examples: "Work", "Personal", "Learning & Growth", "Health". Has properties: Name, Icon (SF Symbol), and Color.
Project Review
A scheduled check-in to assess project progress, update next actions, and ensure the project is still relevant. Review Interval determines how often to review (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, custom).
Project Status
The current state of a project: Active (1), Paused (2), Completed (3), or Dropped (4).
Project Type
Determines how tasks within a project should be completed:
- Parallel (1): Tasks can be done in any order
- Sequential (2): Tasks must be done in specific order
- Single Action List (3): Collection of independent tasks
Q
Quick Add
A fast way to capture tasks by tapping the + button. Long-press for full task entry with all properties.
R
Repeat Settings
Configuration for recurring tasks. Supports Daily (every day or every N days), Weekly (specific days of the week), Monthly (specific days of the month or last day), and Yearly (annual recurrence).
Review Mode
A guided interface for reviewing projects, showing progress and prompting for updates.
S
Schedule View
A view that organizes tasks by their due dates: Past (overdue tasks), Today (tasks due today), Soon (tasks due in the next 3 days), and Future (tasks due beyond 3 days, customizable range).
Section
A special type of task used to organize and group related tasks within a project. Sections can be parallel or sequential.
Starred Perspective
A perspective marked as favorite that appears on the homepage for quick access.
Starred Project
A project marked as favorite (⭐) that appears on the homepage for quick access. Use starring for current priority projects.
Subtask
A task that belongs to a parent task, creating a hierarchical structure. Subtasks inherit their parent's project and help break down complex tasks into manageable steps.
SwiftData
The local database framework used to store all your tasks, projects, and settings on your device.
T
Tag
A label that describes the context needed to complete a task. Tags help you filter tasks by location, energy level, tools needed, or collaboration type.
Tag Group
A collection of related tags with selection rules. Tag groups organize tags into logical categories with Single Selection (choose only one tag) or Multiple Selection (choose multiple tags) modes.
Tag Hierarchy
Parent-child relationships between tags for better organization. Example: "Work Related" → "Project Management" → "Team Meetings"
Task
A single action item that can be completed in one step. Examples: "Call dentist", "Buy milk", "Send email to John".
Task Status
The current state of a task: Active (1), Paused (2), Completed (3), or Dropped (4).
Time Blocking
Scheduling specific time periods for working on tasks, often using calendar events to reserve time.
Time-Sensitive Notification
A notification that appears even during Focus or Do Not Disturb modes, ensuring important reminders aren't missed.
Two-Minute Rule
If a task takes less than 2 minutes to complete, do it immediately instead of adding it to your system.
W
Weekly Review
A scheduled time (typically weekly) to review all active projects, update next actions, and ensure your system is current.
Widget
A home screen or lock screen component showing tasks, calendar events, or quick add functionality.
Quick Reference
Use your browser's search function (Ctrl/Cmd + F) to quickly find any term.
Need More Help?
- Read the Getting Started Guide
- Explore Feature Documentation
- Check the FAQ
Task
A single action item that can be completed in one step. Examples: "Call dentist", "Buy milk", "Send email to John".
Properties:
- Title: The name of the task
- Status: Active, Paused, Completed, or Dropped
- Due Date: When the task should be completed
- Defer Date: When the task becomes available to work on
- Duration: Estimated time to complete (in minutes)
- Priority: Indicated by flagging
Subtask
A task that belongs to a parent task, creating a hierarchical structure. Subtasks inherit their parent's project and help break down complex tasks into manageable steps.
Section
A special type of task used to organize and group related tasks within a project. Sections can be parallel or sequential, determining how their child tasks should be completed.
Types:
- Parallel Section: Tasks can be done in any order
- Sequential Section: Tasks must be done in order
Task Status
The current state of a task:
| Status | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Active | 1 | Currently working on or available to work on |
| Paused | 2 | Temporarily on hold |
| Completed | 3 | Successfully finished |
| Dropped | 4 | Abandoned or cancelled |
Flagged Task
A task marked with a flag (⚑) to indicate high priority or importance. Flagged tasks appear in the homepage task list for quick access.
Event
A time-specific task with a start time and optional end time. Events are similar to calendar appointments and can be displayed in the calendar view.
Projects
Project
Any desired outcome that requires more than one action step. Projects help organize related tasks toward a common goal.
Examples: "Plan vacation", "Launch website", "Home renovation"
Project Type
Determines how tasks within a project should be completed:
| Type | Value | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parallel | 1 | Tasks can be done in any order | Most projects where tasks are independent |
| Sequential | 2 | Tasks must be done in specific order | Step-by-step processes with dependencies |
| Single Action List | 3 | Collection of independent tasks | Grouped tasks that share a theme but aren't a cohesive project |
Folder
A container for organizing projects hierarchically. Folders can contain projects and other folders, allowing for nested organization.
Project Status
The current state of a project:
| Status | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Active | 1 | Currently working on |
| Paused | 2 | Temporarily on hold |
| Completed | 3 | Successfully finished |
| Dropped | 4 | Abandoned or cancelled |
Project Category
A classification system for grouping related projects. Examples: "Work", "Personal", "Learning & Growth", "Health".
Properties:
- Name
- Icon (SF Symbol)
- Color
Starred Project
A project marked as favorite (⭐) that appears on the homepage for quick access. Use starring for current priority projects.
Project Review
A scheduled check-in to assess project progress, update next actions, and ensure the project is still relevant.
Review Interval: How often to review (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, custom)
Organization
Inbox
A temporary holding place for capturing tasks that haven't been organized yet. The inbox is where you quickly capture ideas, thoughts, and tasks without worrying about organization.
Inbox Processing
The act of going through inbox items and deciding what to do with each one: organize into projects, add tags, set due dates, delete, or convert to projects.
Tag
A label that describes the context needed to complete a task. Tags help you filter tasks by location, energy level, tools needed, or collaboration type.
Common Tag Categories:
- Energy Level: High, Medium, Low
- Location: Office, Home, Anywhere, Errands
- Collaboration: Independent, Teamwork, Communication, Waiting For
- Tools: Computer, Phone, Office Equipment
Tag Group
A collection of related tags with selection rules. Tag groups organize tags into logical categories.
Selection Modes:
- Single Selection: Choose only one tag (e.g., energy level)
- Multiple Selection: Choose multiple tags (e.g., locations)
Tag Hierarchy
Parent-child relationships between tags for better organization. Example: "Work Related" → "Project Management" → "Team Meetings"
Filtering & Views
Perspective
A custom filtered view of tasks based on specific criteria. Perspectives save filter combinations so you can quickly see relevant tasks.
Common Perspectives:
- Today's Focus
- Quick Wins (< 15 minutes)
- Office Work
- Waiting For
- This Week's Goals
Starred Perspective
A perspective marked as favorite that appears on the homepage for quick access.
Filter Rules
Criteria used to create perspectives:
- Status Rules: Filter by task completion status
- Date Rules: Filter by due date, defer date, or completion date
- Flag Rules: Show flagged or unflagged tasks
- Project Rules: Include/exclude specific projects
- Tag Rules: Filter by tag combinations
- Duration Rules: Filter by estimated time
- Task Type Rules: Filter by task hierarchy
Scheduling
Due Date
The date and time when a task should be completed. Tasks with due dates appear in the Schedule view and can trigger reminders.
Defer Date
The date when a task becomes available to work on. Tasks with future defer dates are hidden from most views until that date arrives.
Schedule View
A view that organizes tasks by their due dates:
- Past: Overdue tasks
- Today: Tasks due today
- Soon: Tasks due in the next 3 days
- Future: Tasks due beyond 3 days (customizable range)
Repeat Settings
Configuration for recurring tasks. Supports:
- Daily: Every day or every N days
- Weekly: Specific days of the week
- Monthly: Specific days of the month or last day
- Yearly: Annual recurrence
Custom Notification
A reminder set for a specific date and time, independent of the task's due date. Tasks can have multiple custom notifications.
Alarm Reminder
iOS 26.0+: A strong notification using the system alarm that can't be easily dismissed. Includes snooze option and shows in Dynamic Island.
Time-Sensitive Notification
A notification that appears even during Focus or Do Not Disturb modes, ensuring important reminders aren't missed.
Calendar Integration
Calendar Event
An item from Apple Calendar displayed in Locus GTD. Events show alongside tasks in Schedule and Calendar views.
Calendar Sync
The process of importing events from selected Apple Calendars into Locus GTD for unified viewing.
Calendar Range
The time period for which calendar events are displayed (7, 14, 30, or 90 days).
Task Properties
Duration
The estimated time needed to complete a task, measured in minutes. Used for filtering quick tasks or planning time blocks.
Attachment
Files, photos, or documents associated with a task. Stored using external storage for efficient data management.
Note
Additional details, context, or instructions for a task or project. Supports rich text formatting.
Order
A numeric value determining the position of tasks within a project or projects within a folder. Lower numbers appear first.
Workflow Concepts
Two-Minute Rule
If a task takes less than 2 minutes to complete, do it immediately instead of adding it to your system.
Inbox Zero
The practice of regularly processing your inbox until it's empty, ensuring all items are properly organized.
Weekly Review
A scheduled time (typically weekly) to review all active projects, update next actions, and ensure your system is current.
Next Actions View
A curated view showing the most important tasks you can work on right now, helping you focus on what matters.
Logbook
A historical record of completed tasks, providing a log of your accomplishments over time.
User Interface
Homepage
The main screen showing:
- Quick add button
- Starred projects and perspectives
- Flagged tasks or custom task list
- Access to Inbox, Schedule, Next Actions, and Calendar
Quick Add
A fast way to capture tasks by tapping the + button. Long-press for full task entry with all properties.
Processing Mode
A card-based interface for efficiently organizing inbox items by swiping through each task and making decisions.
Review Mode
A guided interface for reviewing projects, showing progress and prompting for updates.
Global Search
iOS 26.0+: Search functionality accessible from the homepage to find tasks, projects, and tags across your entire system.
Advanced Features
Widget
A home screen or lock screen component showing tasks, calendar events, or quick add functionality.
Desktop Quick Action
Long-press the app icon on your home screen to quickly add a task without opening the app.
Drag & Drop
Touch and hold a task to drag it for reordering or to make it a subtask of another task.
Batch Processing
Handling multiple similar tasks at once (e.g., all phone calls, all errands) for efficiency.
Time Blocking
Scheduling specific time periods for working on tasks, often using calendar events to reserve time.
Subscription & Features
Free Version
Basic task management with limited projects, tags, perspectives, and core GTD features.
Premium Version
Unlocks unlimited projects, calendar integration, advanced features, and priority support.
Data & Sync
SwiftData
The local database framework used to store all your tasks, projects, and settings on your device.
iCloud Sync
Automatic synchronization of your data across all your Apple devices using iCloud.
CloudKit
Apple's cloud service used for syncing data with end-to-end encryption.
Tips
- Context: The situation or environment in which a task can be completed (defined by tags)
- Horizon: A level of perspective in GTD, from ground-level actions to life purpose
- Someday/Maybe: Tasks or projects you might want to do in the future but aren't committed to now (use defer dates)
- Waiting For: Tasks blocked by others (use a "Waiting For" tag)
- Reference Material: Information you need to keep but don't need to act on (use notes)
Understanding the System
Locus GTD is built on GTD principles. Understanding these core concepts will help you use the app more effectively and build a sustainable productivity system.
Need More Help?
- Read the Getting Started Guide
- Explore Feature Documentation
- Check the FAQ