Dooit: 2026 Guide to the Keyboard-First Task Manager
Fabio Bergmann
Dooit's GitHub repository carries roughly 2.9k stars against 127 forks — about 152.8 stars for every fork. Dooit is a keyboard-first, terminal-based (TUI) task manager built with Textual and configured through a Python file.
Key takeaways
- Dooit is a terminal (TUI) todo manager built with Textual, configured entirely through a Python file.
- The repository shows about 2.9k stars, 127 forks, and 24 open issues — a 152.8× star-to-fork ratio and open issues near 0.8% of stars.
- Todos support descriptions, urgency (1–4), due dates, effort, and recurrence like "1d" or "1w."
- The documented distribution channels cover desktop terminals via Python and package managers, with no iOS, Android, or hosted web listing.
- For real-time sync, natural language scheduling, and mobile access, the Dooit app ($9/month) fills a different niche than the open-source terminal tool.
Disclosure: Dooit publishes this article. The $9/month Dooit app is our own product, listed here alongside third-party tools.
What is Dooit and what does it do?
Dooit is a terminal-based (TUI) todo manager built with Textual, designed to run inside your command line. The homepage tagline sums up the pitch:
All your todos, from the terminal.
Dooit is positioned as a highly customizable TUI app rather than a GUI or mobile product. Configuration lives in a Python config file, giving deep control over behavior and appearance. That design targets developers and power users who work in a terminal all day.
What features and pricing does Dooit's task manager offer?
Dooit's terminal build gives every todo descriptions, status, urgency, due dates, effort values, and recurrence, plus Vim-like keybindings and topic-based lists with branching. There's no published subscription or tier for the terminal tool: it's open-source, installed and configured locally.
Task attributes and urgency levels
Every Dooit todo can carry a description, status, urgency, due date, effort value, and recurrence, per the documentation. Urgency runs on four levels, from 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest) — a deliberately narrow scale that forces real prioritization instead of a dozen meaningless tiers. The help menu opens with the ? key, so there's no menu-hunting.
Recurrence and shorthand scheduling
Recurring tasks accept intervals like "1 day" or "1 week," plus shorthand such as 1d, 1h, 1m, and 1w. The README describes an interactive, beautiful UI and Vim-like keybindings, with topicwise separated lists that branch into nested project structures.
What do Dooit's GitHub numbers reveal that the docs don't say?
Dooit's repository holds roughly 2.9k stars against 127 forks — a 152.8× star-to-fork ratio — with 24 open issues, about 0.8% of its star count. The docs describe features; these numbers describe scale and activity. No ranking page currently surfaces this read.
152.8 stars per fork. 24 open issues against ~2,900 stars — roughly 0.8%. A high star-to-fork ratio means most people install the tool directly rather than fork a variant. The 0.8% open-issues-to-stars figure is a data point freelancers can weigh when vetting an open-source tool before committing workflow time to it. We're not inferring stability from it — just putting the raw ratios on the table.
How does Dooit store and structure your data?
Dooit persists everything locally with SQLAlchemy, built around two core tables: Workspace and Todo. Each Todo can have a parent, a nesting level, and tags derived from any word starting with @, enabling lightweight project organization without extra UI.
The SQLAlchemy backend keeps data in a local database file, not a cloud server by default. The Workspace and Todo tables form the entire structural backbone — just two tables carry the whole model. Parent/child nesting lets todos represent subtasks or branches, and @-prefixed words auto-convert to tags — a fast, keyboard-only tagging convention.
How do you install Dooit across different systems?
Dooit installs via pip install dooit dooit-extras on any system with Python, and is packaged for Arch Linux, NixOS, Conda, Mamba, and Pixi. Installation is a command-line task, which fits its terminal-first identity.
- PyPI is the most universal path across macOS, Linux, and Windows terminals.
- Arch Linux and NixOS users pull it from their package managers.
- Conda, Mamba, and Pixi support suits data-science and Python-centric environments.
- No installer wizard: expect command-line-only onboarding.
Which platforms support Dooit's terminal build?
Dooit's terminal app runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows through a terminal emulator wherever Python is installed. Its documented distribution channels are PyPI and package managers, with no iOS or Android listing and no browser-hosted version. If touchscreen, on-the-go access matters, that's a gap worth noting.
| Platform | Dooit (terminal) support |
|---|---|
| Desktop terminal (macOS/Linux/Windows) | Yes, via Python and pip |
| iOS / Android | Not in documented channels |
| Web / browser | Not a hosted SaaS |
| Real-time multi-device sync | Not part of the terminal design |
Freelancers who bounce between phone and laptop hit a hard gap here. If mobile access matters, our roundup of the best apps for managing tasks in 2026 covers synced alternatives.
Is Dooit free, or does it require a subscription?
The terminal-based Dooit is free and open-source, installed via pip or a package manager with no paid tier. The Dooit app is a separate product with a single flat subscription: $9/month with a 7-day free trial, no tiers or add-ons.
No pricing page, tiers, or add-ons exist for the open-source terminal tool; it's free by distribution model. The Dooit app, by contrast, adds sync, mobile apps, and habit tracking on one plan at $9/month with a 7-day free trial. One plan with everything — no tiers, no add-ons, no surprises. Open-source installs have no trial because you just install them. Buyers choose between free-but-DIY setup and a paid, zero-maintenance synced app.
What do users say in Dooit reviews and community feedback?
Community sentiment centers on the GitHub repository, since there's no consumer app listing. The README highlights an interactive, beautiful UI and Vim-like control as the standout draws. The repository shows 24 open issues against 2.9k stars, about 0.8% of the star count.
Praise focuses on speed, keybinding depth, and customization via the Python config. Users self-select for comfort with terminal workflows, so Dooit isn't reviewed on general productivity-app platforms and carries no app-store star ratings. The 0.8% open-issues rate is one number to weigh alongside star count.
How does Dooit's terminal model compare to mainstream task apps?
Dooit trades visual polish and cloud sync for keyboard speed and Python-level configurability. Mainstream apps like Todoist, TickTick, and ClickUp ship iOS, Android, web, and desktop clients with sync; Dooit's terminal build runs where a terminal and Python run. The fit depends on whether you live in a shell.
Dooit's Python config offers deeper personalization than a typical GUI settings menu. Its Vim-like keybindings appeal to the same shortcut-loving audience as GUI apps but go further into terminal-native branching. Workflow fit matters more than feature count: terminal-dwellers gain speed, others gain accessibility.
How do Dooit and its competitors compare at a glance?
The table below lines up Dooit's terminal-first model against Todoist, TickTick, Amazing Marvin, Superlist, Any.do, and ClickUp on platform reach, keyboard support, sync, and pricing, so you can see where the terminal approach helps or hurts your workflow.
| App | Platforms | Keyboard-centric | Real-time sync | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooit (terminal) | Desktop terminal only | Yes (Vim-like) | No | Free, open-source |
| Todoist | iOS, Android, web, desktop | Partial | Yes | Free + paid tiers |
| TickTick | iOS, Android, web, desktop | Partial | Yes | Free + paid tier |
| Amazing Marvin | Web, desktop, mobile | Partial | Yes | Subscription + trial |
| Superlist | iOS, Android, web, desktop | Partial | Yes | Freemium |
| Any.do | iOS, Android, web, desktop | Low | Yes | Free + premium |
| ClickUp | Web, desktop, mobile | Partial | Yes | Free + multiple tiers |
Dooit's terminal app is the only entry here without a mobile or web client — useful context if you're comparing keyboard-first options in our 2026 task organizer guide.
Todoist: mainstream cross-platform task management
Screenshot: Todoist website, August 2026.
Todoist offers natural language scheduling, mobile and web apps, and broad integrations, which suits users who prioritize cross-device reach. Todoist doesn't run in a terminal or expose a Python config, so it trades that depth for a GUI-first setup. The apps differ in interface rather than intent.
Todoist covers iOS, Android, web, and desktop with sync and natural language date entry, on a free tier plus paid upgrades. Our Todoist alternatives roundup compares six options on the facts.
TickTick: habit tracking plus tasks in one app
Screenshot: TickTick website, August 2026.
TickTick pairs task lists with built-in habit tracking and calendar views, appealing to goal-focused users who want streaks alongside to-dos. TickTick runs on every major platform with sync, and its feature-dense UI contrasts with Dooit's minimal terminal screen. The choice comes down to breadth versus focus.
TickTick includes native habit streaks and a Pomodoro timer, mobile, web, and desktop apps, and a free plan with a paid upgrade. See the head-to-head in Things 3 vs TickTick.
Amazing Marvin: deeply configurable task strategies
Screenshot: Amazing Marvin website, August 2026.
Amazing Marvin matches Dooit's appetite for configuration, offering strategy modules and custom scheduling logic within a full GUI. Amazing Marvin runs as a graphical app, so its configuration lives in menus rather than a Python file. Both reward users who want to shape the tool around their workflow.
Amazing Marvin's GUI configuration replaces Dooit's Python config file, on subscription pricing with a free trial. More options sit in our Amazing Marvin alternatives comparison.
Superlist: collaborative task lists
Screenshot: Superlist website, August 2026.
Superlist focuses on shared lists and team collaboration with a clean, modern interface. Superlist suits freelancers coordinating with clients, whereas Dooit's terminal model is single-user and local-first by design. If collaboration drives your choice, the two sit at opposite ends.
Superlist runs as a graphical app on a freemium model, with no terminal or keyboard-only mode comparable to Dooit. Compare six options in our Superlist alternatives guide.
Any.do: simple mobile-first task capture
Screenshot: Any.do website, August 2026.
Any.do prioritizes quick capture and a clean mobile experience, ideal for users who add tasks on the go rather than configure a system. Any.do runs as a graphical mobile-first app, where Dooit's terminal build stays on the desktop. The gap is accessibility versus configurability.
Any.do keeps configuration minimal compared with Dooit's Python setup, on a free tier with a premium subscription. It's built for fast capture rather than deep customization.
ClickUp: full project management alongside tasks
Screenshot: ClickUp website, August 2026.
ClickUp scales into full project management with docs, dashboards, and team features far beyond simple task lists, suiting freelancers managing client projects. ClickUp is the heaviest tool in this comparison, sitting opposite Dooit's minimal terminal footprint. The two answer very different needs.
ClickUp packs docs, goals, dashboards, and automation on a free tier plus multiple paid tiers and add-ons. Expect a steeper learning curve than a lightweight keyboard-first tool. Our 2026 buyer's guide covers where heavier PM tools fit.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dooit have an official mobile app?
The terminal-based Dooit runs via Python and package managers on desktop operating systems, and its documented distribution channels include no iOS or Android app. Users needing native mobile task management with sync typically look to keyboard-friendly alternatives built with dedicated mobile clients.
Is Dooit free to use?
Yes. The terminal Dooit is open-source and installed at no cost via pip, Arch Linux, NixOS, Conda, Mamba, or Pixi. There's no subscription, trial, or tiered pricing because it isn't distributed as a hosted SaaS product; you install and configure it yourself.
Can I use Vim-style keybindings in Dooit?
Yes. Dooit's README states support for Vim-like keybindings, alongside a customizable, interactive terminal UI. That makes it a natural fit for developers already comfortable navigating Vim or other modal editors in their daily workflow.
How do recurring tasks work in Dooit?
Recurring todos accept interval shorthand such as 1d, 1h, 1m, or 1w, or written-out intervals like "1 day" or "1 week." You set repeating tasks quickly from the keyboard without opening a separate recurrence menu.
What do Dooit's GitHub numbers show?
With about 2.9k stars, 127 forks, and 24 open issues, Dooit shows a 152.8× star-to-fork ratio and an open-issues rate near 0.8% of its stars. Those are raw activity numbers you can weigh when comparing open-source options.
How is data organized inside Dooit?
Dooit uses a SQLAlchemy-backed local database structured around two tables, Workspace and Todo. Each Todo supports a parent, a nesting level for subtasks, and automatic @-tagging, giving a simple but flexible hierarchy for organizing projects from the terminal.
Want keyboard-first speed with mobile access and cross-device sync? The Dooit app runs $9/month with a 7-day free trial — plan your day, get sh*t done, hit your goals.