Why I still use a plain text todo list
After trying every productivity app, I came back to a simple text file. Here's what that taught me about tools.
I’ve tried Todoist, Things, OmniFocus, Notion, Linear, and probably a dozen others. Each time I’d migrate my tasks, customize my workflow, and feel productive for a few weeks.
Then I’d stop using it and go back to a text file.
What the text file gets right
Zero friction to capture. Open file, type thought, done. No apps to launch, no sync to wait for, no UI to navigate.
Works everywhere. Terminal, any text editor, phone notes app. The format is universal.
No features to distract. Can’t spend an hour setting up projects and tags and filters when there are no projects and tags and filters.
What it gets wrong
No reminders. If something needs to happen at a specific time, the text file won’t tell you. I use calendar events for time-sensitive things.
No collaboration. Sharing a text file with a team is possible but awkward. For team work, use team tools.
The lesson
The best tool is the one you’ll actually use. Features don’t matter if they add friction that stops you from capturing tasks.
For me, that’s a text file. For you, it might be something else. The point isn’t to copy my system—it’s to find what you’ll stick with.
Simple often beats sophisticated. Not always, but more often than we think.