Skip to content
ToolGPA

dstask

Terminal task tracker with git sync and a markdown note per task

FreeTo-Do ListsChecked Oct 9, 2026
Visit github.com
dstask, as pictured on github.com
How dstask presents itself. Image from github.com.

What is dstask?

dstask is a free, open-source personal task tracker for the terminal. Tasks carry tags, a project, a priority from P0 to P3 and an optional due date, each can hold a full markdown note, and a context applies the same filter to the task list and to newly added tasks. Data is kept in a git repository, so sync between machines, undo and conflict resolution all run through git and no sync server is needed.

dstask is free to use. See every plan

Good for

  • People who work in a terminal and are comfortable with git
  • Taskwarrior users who want sync without running a sync server
  • Keeping working notes and checklists alongside each task

Worth knowing

  • Personal use only: the README lists collaboration as a non-feature.
  • There is no GUI, web or mobile app in dstask itself; the FAQ points to a separate, early-stage community web GUI.
  • Editing the same task on two machines without syncing can produce a git merge conflict that has to be resolved by hand.
  • Tasks are not encrypted: the FAQ says encryption is not a design goal. Contexts are not synchronised between machines.

Key features

Git-based sync and undo
Tasks are stored in a git repository, ~/.dstask by default. The sync command pulls then pushes, and undo reverts the last action with git revert, so there is no sync server to run.
Contexts
A context is a filter of tags and projects that narrows task listings and is also applied to new tasks. It is set with the context command or, per terminal, with the DSTASK_CONTEXT variable.
Markdown note per task
The note command opens a full markdown note for a task in your editor, where a checklist can track subtasks. The open command launches the URLs found in a task and its note in the browser.
Priorities, projects, tags and due dates
Tasks take a priority from P0 (critical) to P3 (low), a project, tags and a due date typed as a weekday, a relative day or a date. The default view sorts by priority, then creation date.
Task states and review commands
Start and stop mark tasks as active or paused. Commands such as show-resolved, show-projects and show-unorganised list completed tasks by week, project completion and untagged tasks.
Import from Taskwarrior and GitHub
The separate dstask-import tool loads a Taskwarrior export, which the docs call lossy, or pulls GitHub issues into dstask one-way using an API token.

dstask pricing

Starts at
Free
Free plan
The whole program is free and open source under the MIT license, with no paid edition. Sync runs over a git repository that you set up and host yourself.
Free trial
None listed
Free$0The dstask binary and the dstask-import tool for Linux, macOS and Windows, from the GitHub releases page or unofficial Homebrew, AUR, Nix and FreeBSD packages.

Read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with dstask before you buy.

Pricing in detail

Works with

dstask alternatives

All dstask alternatives comparedAll to-do list apps

Common questions

Is dstask free?

Yes. dstask is free to use. The whole program is free and open source under the MIT license, with no paid edition. Sync runs over a git repository that you set up and host yourself.

How much does dstask cost?

dstask lists one plan. Free: $0. Prices were read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026.

What platforms does dstask work on?

dstask is available on macOS, Linux and Windows.

Does dstask have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. dstask is listed for macOS, Linux and Windows.

Does dstask have an iPhone app?

No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. dstask is listed for macOS, Linux and Windows.

Is dstask open source?

Yes. dstask is open source, according to its own site.

What does dstask integrate with?

dstask's listing names Git, GitHub and Taskwarrior. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.

Who makes dstask?

dstask is made by Cal Bryant. It dates from 2018.

What are the alternatives to dstask?

The closest alternatives to dstask in our directory are Taskwarrior, Todo.txt, topydo, Dooit and Cfait. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with dstask.

Sources for this page

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.