Getting Started

Welcome to Mindwtr! This guide will help you get up and running quickly.

Installation

Desktop

Platform	Installation
Arch Linux	mindwtr-bin prebuilt AUR package (a community-maintained mindwtr source package also exists)
Debian/Ubuntu	Add the APT repo (recommended) or download .deb from Releases
Fedora/RHEL	Add the DNF repo (recommended) or download .rpm from Releases
Flatpak	Install from Flathub
AppImage	Download .AppImage, chmod +x, and run
Windows	Microsoft Store, Winget, Chocolatey, Scoop, portable ZIP, or installer from Releases
macOS	Mac App Store, TestFlight beta, Homebrew, or .dmg from Releases

See Desktop Installation for detailed instructions.

Mobile

Platform	Installation
Android	Google Play, F-Droid, IzzyOnDroid, or APK from Releases
iOS	App Store, TestFlight beta, or simulator/self-build for development

See Mobile Installation for detailed instructions.

Want to test new builds early? See Join the Beta Channels.

Docker and web app

Run the web app (PWA) and self-hosted sync server with Docker when you want a browser-accessible deployment:

• Docker Deployment
• Web App (PWA)

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First Launch

On a fresh install, Start using Mindwtr is the first choice. It creates a localized Getting Started project and opens it immediately. You can also import existing tasks, connect sync, or skip onboarding. Sync and import are optional, not prerequisites for capturing a task.

On mobile and desktop, the Getting Started project includes actions to capture directly to Inbox, open Inbox for processing, and open Focus. Short contextual hints explain projects, focus, and dates where you use them. Dismiss a hint to collapse it; its Help control stays available, with a link to the relevant guide section. Dismissals are stored on that device, not synced with tasks.

On later launches, Mindwtr opens Focus by default. Capture new work into Inbox whenever you need to park an idea quickly.

The Basic Workflow

1. Capture everything to the Inbox
2. Clarify each item using the processing wizard
3. Organize into Next Actions, Projects, or Someday/Maybe
4. Reflect during your Weekly Review
5. Engage with confidence

Prefer a video walkthrough?

Two tutorials in the Mindwtr video walkthrough playlist cover the whole workflow, from capture through the Weekly Review, plus settings and sync.

• Mindwtr Desktop Demo & Tutorial — Complete Local-First GTD Workflow (about 23 minutes)
• Mindwtr Mobile Demo & Tutorial: Complete Local-First GTD Workflow (about 26 minutes)

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Quick Add Syntax

Mindwtr supports natural language quick-add. Type directly in the task input. The same syntax also works in the "What's the next action?" prompt that appears when you finish a project's last action (for example, end on /waiting to park the follow-up as Waiting For):

Syntax	Example	Result
@context	Buy milk @errands	Adds @errands context
#tag	Research topic #creative	Adds #creative tag
+Project	Call vendor +HomeReno	Assigns to project
+Multi Word	+New Project Name	Assigns to "New Project Name"
+"Quoted Name"	+"New Project" call Bob	Quotes delimit a multi-word name mid-sentence (also !"Area Name")
!Area	Plan roadmap !Work	Assigns to area
%Person	Ask %Jim for the budget /waiting	Sets Assigned to (delegated / waiting-for owner)
%"Full Name"	%"Jim Smith" send report	Quotes delimit a multi-word person name (known names also match unquoted)
/area:<name>	/area:Personal	Assigns to area (no spaces)
/start:date	Task /start:monday	Sets start date
/due:date	Report /due:friday	Sets due date
/review:date	Task /review:next week	Sets review date
/energy:<level>	Task /energy:low	Sets energy level (low, medium, high)
/priority:<level>	Task /priority:high	Sets priority (low, medium, high, urgent)
/note:text	Task /note:remember X	Adds description
/status	/next, /waiting, /someday, /reference, /done, /archived, /inbox	Sets status

Date examples:

• /due:today, /due:tomorrow
• /due:friday, /due:next week
• /due:in 3 days, /due:2025-01-15
• /start:tomorrow, /review:next week

Absolute dates use fixed ISO format YYYY-MM-DD (for example, /due:2026-03-15), regardless of your UI locale/date display format.

Escaping

• Use a backslash to keep symbols as plain text: \\@, \\#, \\+, \\!, \\%, \\/
• Example: Call \\@support /due:tomorrow → title becomes Call @support

Unicode support

• Context and tag names accept Unicode letters and numbers (e.g., CJK and accented characters).

Live preview: As you type in any capture input on desktop or mobile, chips under the field show what Mindwtr recognized: the resolved dates, project, area, contexts, tags, assignee, and status, plus a warning chip when a date command cannot be read. The chips stay hidden until something is recognized, and they come from the same parse that saving uses, so the task is created exactly as they describe it.

Tip: You can also use Audio Capture to speak your tasks. Enable it in Settings → AI Assistant to use voice-to-text with smart parsing.

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Organizing Model

Mindwtr uses four different grouping tools. Use each for what it is good at:

• Projects: Multi-step outcomes you want to complete (for example, "Launch v2 website").
• Areas: Ongoing responsibility domains with no finish line (for example, "Health", "Family", "Career").
• Contexts: Where/how a task can be done (for example, @home, @phone, @errands).
• Tags: Flexible labels for energy, theme, or custom grouping (for example, #focused, #lowenergy).

Practical rule:

• If it has an end state, use a Project.
• If it is a long-term life/work domain, use an Area.
• If it depends on place/tool/person, use a Context.
• If you want optional filtering, use a Tag.

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Next Steps

• Learn about GTD Overview
• Explore the User Guide Desktop or User Guide Mobile
• Set up Data and Sync
• Enable AI Assistant (optional)

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Need Help?

• The best place to report a bug or ask for help is a GitHub issue. It keeps everything trackable.
• Already in the app? Use Send feedback on the Settings → About page.
• For a private question, email [email protected].
• Browse the FAQ or read the full GTD Workflow in Mindwtr guide.