Google Tasks

Simple task management integrated with Gmail and Calendar.

Uses the gws CLI for all Tasks operations. See the google-workspace skill for setup.

Triggers

• "create a task"
• "add to my to-do list"
• "what are my tasks"
• "mark as done"
• "show open tasks"
• Any request involving to-do items or task management

Prerequisites

• gws CLI installed and authenticated with Tasks scope
• Run gws auth login -s tasks if not already done

Core Commands

gws tasks tasklists list                    # List all task lists
gws tasks tasks list                        # List tasks in a list
gws tasks tasks insert                      # Create a new task
gws tasks tasks patch                       # Update a task (complete, rename, etc.)
gws tasks tasks delete                      # Delete a task

Common Operations

List all task lists

gws tasks tasklists list --format table

List open tasks

# List tasks in a specific list
gws tasks tasks list --params '{
  "tasklist": "TASKLIST_ID",
  "showCompleted": false
}' --format table

Create a task

# Simple task
gws tasks tasks insert --params '{"tasklist": "TASKLIST_ID"}' --json '{
  "title": "Follow up with vendor about delivery"
}'

# Task with due date
gws tasks tasks insert --params '{"tasklist": "TASKLIST_ID"}' --json '{
  "title": "Submit quarterly tax filing",
  "due": "2026-03-31T00:00:00Z",
  "notes": "Documents in Drive > Finance > Tax Documents"
}'

Complete a task

gws tasks tasks patch --params '{
  "tasklist": "TASKLIST_ID",
  "task": "TASK_ID"
}' --json '{"status": "completed"}'

Create a task list

gws tasks tasklists insert --json '{"title": "Weekly Store Checklist"}'

Convert email to task

# Built-in workflow
gws workflow +email-to-task

SMB Task Patterns

Daily Operations Checklist

Create a recurring checklist for opening/closing:

# Create a task list for daily ops
gws tasks tasklists insert --json '{"title": "Daily Opening Checklist"}'

# Add checklist items
for task in "Check cooler temperatures" "Review today'\''s orders" "Confirm staff schedule" "Check inventory levels" "Review yesterday'\''s sales"; do
  gws tasks tasks insert --params '{"tasklist": "TASKLIST_ID"}' --json "{\"title\": \"$task\"}"
done

Meeting Action Items

After a meeting, quickly capture action items:

gws tasks tasks insert --params '{"tasklist": "TASKLIST_ID"}' --json '{
  "title": "Send updated pricing to vendor — from Jan 15 meeting",
  "due": "2026-01-17T00:00:00Z"
}'

Review overdue tasks

# Built-in recipe for reviewing overdue items
gws tasks tasks list --params '{
  "tasklist": "TASKLIST_ID",
  "showCompleted": false,
  "dueMax": "2026-01-15T23:59:59Z"
}'

Integration with Other Skills

• gmail — Convert emails to tasks with gws workflow +email-to-task
• google-calendar — Tasks appear alongside calendar events
• morning-briefing — Open tasks are part of the daily standup report
• google-docs — Link task notes to relevant documents

Tips

• Use gws workflow +standup-report to see tasks alongside today's calendar
• Set due dates on tasks so they surface in your calendar
• Keep task lists organized by context (daily ops, projects, follow-ups)
• Use task notes to link to relevant emails, docs, or sheets

Related Skills

• google-workspace — Required setup (install and auth)
• gmail — Email-to-task conversion
• google-calendar — Task/calendar integration
• morning-briefing — Daily task review

Capture it or forget it. Tasks bridge the gap between intention and execution.