The dstask Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about dstask in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
dstask
The Insider’s Guide
Terminal task tracker with git sync and a markdown note per task
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among to-do list apps, read from dstask’s own pages.
Made by Cal Bryant · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from dstask’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on dstask’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 48 of the 123 other to-do list apps we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about dstask, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No rating on record, and it's a command-line tool with a git repository you set up and host.
- 1
Best for terminal tasks synced through git
dstask is a free, open-source command-line task list that keeps your tasks in a git repository, so syncing is a pull and a push and each task can carry a markdown note.
- 2
It is free
dstask has no paid plan at all. 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.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
macOS, Linux and Windows.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
A 2.6 GPA, above 48 of 123
That is against the other to-do list apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
dstask is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
dstask at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Cal Bryant, since 2018
- Category
- To-Do List Apps
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for terminal tasks synced through git
dstask is a free, open-source command-line task list that keeps your tasks in a git repository, so syncing is a pull and a push and each task can carry a markdown note. The rest follows from that. It's terminal only, you set up and host the repository yourself, editing one task on two machines can leave a merge conflict to fix by hand, and the README lists collaboration as a non-feature.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source under the MIT licence, with no paid edition, against a category whose middle plan runs $3.99 a month. There's no sync service to pay for either, since sync rides on your own git repository. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright, import tool included, nothing locked and no account to make. The only thing you bring is somewhere to host a git repository. |
| Features | C | The basics: P0 to P3 priorities, projects, tags, due dates, contexts that filter the list, a markdown note per task. The README names the gaps itself, though. No collaboration, no encryption, and contexts don't sync between machines. |
| Ease of use | D | No rating on record, and it's a command-line tool with a git repository you set up and host. Edit the same task on two machines without syncing and you get a merge conflict to untangle by hand. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Computers only: Linux, macOS and Windows, all in a terminal. No GUI, web or mobile app in dstask itself, just an early community web front end. It does pull in GitHub issues and a Taskwarrior export. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who dstask is for
- Fits if you work in a terminal and use git every day
- Works for one person who wants Taskwarrior-style tasks without running a sync server
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you don't know git, because sync and undo both run through it
- Not for you if you want your tasks on your phone, as there's no mobile app and the only web GUI is an early community project
- Too light for teams, since the README lists collaboration as a non-feature
- Watch out: tasks aren't encrypted, contexts don't sync between machines, and two edits to one task can mean a merge conflict
Good to know
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
dstask is free to use.
There's no sync service to pay for either, since sync rides on your own git repository.
Free
$0
The 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.
The 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.
Read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, Windows and Linux
Terminal task tracker with git sync and a markdown note per task. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, local-first, keyboard-first, Markdown, tasks.
The README names the gaps itself, though.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
- Git
- GitHub
- Taskwarrior
dstask is made by Cal Bryant, and has been around since 2018.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
48/123
Other to-do list apps it is graded above
dstask's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 48 of the 123 other to-do list apps we grade, and level with 43.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 87 of 123) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
dstask has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 124 to-do list apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. dstask’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 69 of 123
- AFree plan and trialAbove 87 of 123
- CFeaturesAbove 8 of 123
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 123
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 19 of 123
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 99 to-do list apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. dstask is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
dstask is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could make
- Tasks and Markdown: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. dstask’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Taskwarrior, Todo.txt, topydo, Dooit and Cfait
The 5 tools dstask is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Taskwarrior
Free
Free, open-source to-do list manager for the command line.
- Only dstask lists a Windows app.
- dstask also covers Markdown.
- 2.6GPA
Todo.txt
Free
Plain-text to-do list format with an open-source command-line tool.
- dstask also covers Markdown.
- 2.6GPA
topydo
Free
Console todo.txt manager with dependencies and recurring tasks.
- dstask also covers Markdown.
- 2.6GPA
Dooit
Free
Terminal to-do manager configured with a Python file.
- Only dstask lists a macOS app.
- dstask also covers Markdown.
- 3.0GPA
Cfait
Free
Offline-first CalDAV task manager for terminal, desktop and Android.
- Only Cfait lists an Android app.
- dstask also covers Markdown.
- Cfait also covers daily notes and time tracking.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
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.
How much does dstask cost?
dstask lists one plan. Free: $0.
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.
How does dstask compare with other to-do list apps?
dstask's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 48 of the 123 other to-do list apps we grade, and level with 43.
Is dstask good value for money?
ToolGPA grades dstask A for value for money. dstask has no paid plan. On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4.
Could I make my own version of dstask?
dstask is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from dstask’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from dstask's own repository and its author's blog on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-01-26.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Cal Bryant. Prices change, so check github.com before you buy.
- github.com/naggie/dstask
- raw.githubusercontent.com/naggie/dstask/master/README.md
- raw.githubusercontent.com/naggie/dstask/master/doc/dstask-import.md
- api.github.com/repos/naggie/dstask
- api.github.com/repos/naggie/dstask/releases/latest
- api.github.com/users/naggie
- calbryant.uk/blog/dstask-a-terminal-based-git-powered-task-manager/
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- dstask, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/dstask
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "dstask: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/dstask
Know someone choosing between to-do list apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/dstask/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded to-do list apps after dstask, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- To-Do List Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 124 to-do list apps we grade, compared
- Apple Reminders Insider's GuideApple's free to-do app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch3.6 GPA
- Microsoft To Do Insider's GuideFree to-do list from Microsoft that syncs with Outlook tasks3.6 GPA
- Google Tasks Insider's GuideGoogle's to-do list, built into Gmail, Calendar, Chat and Docs3.4 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what dstask’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. dstask is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Cal Bryant. Prices and plans change: check github.com before you buy.