Contexts and Tags

Contexts help you see what you can do right now based on where you are, what tools you have, or what mental state you need.

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What Are Contexts?

In GTD, a context is a condition required to complete a task: a location, tool, or person.

When you filter by context, you see only tasks you can actually do in your current situation.

Contexts vs. Areas

This is one of the easiest GTD concepts to mix up at first.

Concept	Question it answers	Changes often?	Examples
Context	What can I do right now, where I am, with what I have?	Yes	@computer, @phone, @home
Area	What ongoing responsibility is this part of?	No	Work, Home, Health, Finances

The key difference:

• Contexts are about execution constraints. They change throughout the day.
• Areas are about responsibility buckets. They stay around as long as that part of your life or work exists.

Example: contractor or client work

If you work with multiple clients, using an Area for each client can be completely reasonable.

• Area: Client A
• Project: Backend migration
• Task: Review API spec
• Context: @computer

That lets you answer two different questions:

• Filter by Area when you want to see everything related to one client.
• Filter by Context when you want to see what you can do right now, regardless of client.

To create or edit Areas directly, see Areas and People.

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Location Contexts (@)

Mindwtr includes these preset location contexts:

Context	Use When
@home	Tasks that require being at home
@work	Tasks for the office/workplace
@errands	Tasks while out (shopping, appointments)
@agendas	Discussion items for meetings or calls
@computer	Tasks requiring a computer
@phone	Tasks requiring phone calls
@anywhere	Tasks with no location requirement

Examples

• Call mom @phone
• Fix leaky faucet @home
• Buy office supplies @errands
• Deploy update @computer @work

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Tags (#)

Mindwtr includes tags for filtering by mental state, mode, or topic:

Tag	Use When
#focused	Deep work requiring concentration
#lowenergy	Simple tasks for tired moments
#creative	Brainstorming or ideation
#routine	Repetitive/mechanical tasks

Examples

• Write proposal #focused @computer
• File receipts #lowenergy @home
• Brainstorm campaign ideas #creative
• Process expenses #routine @computer

Why Tags?

Your productivity varies throughout the day:

• Morning: High focus, tackle #focused tasks
• After lunch: Low energy, do #lowenergy or #routine tasks
• Creative time: When inspired, work on #creative tasks

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Using Contexts in Mindwtr

Adding Contexts

Quick-add syntax:

Task title @context1 @context2
Research topic #focused @computer

Context and tag names accept Unicode letters and numbers (including CJK and accented characters).

Edit task:

1. Open task editor
2. Add contexts in the Contexts field (comma-separated)

Filtering by Context

Desktop:

1. Go to Next Actions or Contexts view
2. Click a context chip to filter

Mobile:

1. Go to Next Actions tab or Contexts from drawer
2. Tap a context to filter

Filter chips cycle through three states: select a context or tag once to include it, select it again to exclude it (shown struck through), and a third time to clear it. Excluded chips always hide their tasks, whatever the match mode says.

When two or more contexts are selected, a Context match control appears: All (the default) shows tasks that carry every selected context, while Any shows tasks that carry at least one. Tags get the same control as Tag match.

Grouping by Contexts or Tags

Task list toolbars also include a Group control. Use it to group lists by context, area, project, or tag when scanning a larger Inbox, Waiting, Someday/Maybe, Reference, Done, or Next Actions list.

Grouping by tag is useful when you prefer a tag-centric workflow and use tags as your main classification layer.

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Custom Contexts

You can create your own contexts:

• @Bob: Items to discuss with Bob
• @waiting-on-vendor: Waiting for vendor response
• @car: Things to do in the car
• @morning: Morning routine items

Creating Custom Contexts

Simply type the new context when adding a task:

Review contract @legal

The context will be added and available for filtering.

Managing Saved Contexts and Tags

When you want to clean up or rename reusable metadata:

• Open Settings → Manage
• Edit Contexts, Tags, Areas, and People from one place
• Use this to merge duplicates, standardize naming, or remove values you no longer use

Areas and People can also be created while assigning them. Type in the Area picker or Assigned to field, then choose Create or New Person when there is no exact match.

Bulk Editing Contexts & Tags

You can update contexts and tags across many tasks at once:

1. Enter Select mode in a list view
2. Choose the tasks you want to edit
3. Use Add Tag, Remove Tag, Add Context, or Remove Context in the bulk action bar

The remove actions list only the values the selected tasks actually carry, and you can pick several at once. Tasks that do not have a picked value are left untouched.

This is useful when you want to reclassify a whole batch of tasks after a weekly review or project planning pass. Mobile offers Add Tag and Remove Tag on the same selection bar.

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Hierarchical Contexts & Tags

Organize contexts with nested structure using slash notation:

Syntax	Example Task
@work/meetings	Meeting prep @work/meetings
@home/garage	Fix shelf @home/garage
#health/fitness	Morning run #health/fitness
#work/admin	File reports #work/admin

Parent-Includes-Children Filtering

When you filter by a parent context, all children are included:

Filter	Shows
@work	@work, @work/meetings, @work/calls
#health	#health, #health/fitness, #health/diet

This allows high-level filtering while maintaining specific organization.

Benefits

• Organization: Group related contexts without clutter
• Flexibility: Filter broadly or specifically
• Backwards compatible: Simple contexts still work normally

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Context Best Practices

Start Simple

Begin with just a few contexts:

• @home
• @work
• @errands
• @computer

Add more only when needed.

Be Consistent

Use the same spelling and format:

• ✓ @home (always)
• ✗ @Home, @house, home

Combine Contexts

Tasks can have multiple contexts:

• @computer @work: Need computer at work
• @phone @anywhere: Phone call from anywhere
• #focused @home: Deep work at home

Person Contexts

Add person contexts for agenda items:

Discuss project timeline @Sarah
Ask about budget @manager

When you see Sarah, search @Sarah to find all items.

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Context Workflow

Morning Planning

1. Check where you'll be today
2. Filter Next Actions by relevant context
3. Pick your focus tasks

Location Change

When you move locations:

1. Filter by new context (@work → @home)
2. See what you can do here
3. Pick the next task

Surprise Interaction

When someone calls/visits unexpectedly:

1. Search for their name/context
2. Review agenda items
3. Address waiting-for items

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Contexts vs. Tags

In Mindwtr, both @contexts and #tags can filter tasks, but they answer different questions:

Symbol	What it answers	Typical use	Examples
@	Where/with what can I do it?	Location, tool, or person constraint	@home, @work, @phone
#	What is this about?	Topic, energy, mode, or label	#focused, #lowenergy

Practical guidance

• Use @ contexts for execution filters (the places/tools/people you need).
• Use # tags for categorization (energy level, topic, or grouping across projects).
• Both support hierarchies (e.g., @work/meetings, #health/fitness).

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See Also

• GTD Workflow in Mindwtr
• Areas and People
• User Guide Desktop
• User Guide Mobile