Getting Things Done (GTD) with Super Productivity

In a world of constant digital noise and competing priorities, feeling overwhelmed has become the default. We juggle deadlines, appointments, and endless ideas – until our attention scatters and stress takes over. This walkthrough is part of The Super Productivity Handbook, so you can plug GTD into a broader deep work system without context switching.

The Getting Things Done (GTD®) method, created by productivity expert David Allen, was designed to solve exactly this problem. GTD is more than a time-management technique; it’s a structured approach to achieving relaxed control–a state Allen calls “mind like water.” Its effectiveness has made it a go-to system for developers, executives, and creatives alike.

Super Productivity brings the GTD framework to life in a modern, open-source tool. It lets you capture, clarify, and organize tasks effortlessly – without surrendering your privacy or being locked into a proprietary ecosystem. Whether you’re optimizing deep work or managing freelance projects, GTD provides the structure you need.

1. Understanding the GTD Workflow

At its core, GTD follows five repeatable steps:

1. Capture – Collect everything that has your attention.
2. Clarify – Decide what each item means and what to do about it.
3. Organize – Put actionable items where they belong.
4. Reflect – Review regularly to keep your system current.
5. Engage – Focus on doing the right work at the right time.

Super Productivity was built with these principles in mind. Each feature – from its fast inbox capture to its flexible tagging and review tools – maps naturally to the GTD process.

2. Step-by-Step GTD Setup in Super Productivity

Step 1 – Capture: Collect Everything

Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.
Open the Inbox in Super Productivity and quickly capture every thought, task, or commitment – using the Add Task button, a keyboard shortcut, or by pasting plain text (each line becomes a task).

💡 Tip: You can capture tasks even faster by importing from external integrations like GitHub or Jira, keeping all incoming work in one trusted place.

Step 2 – Clarify: Decide the Next Step

Processing your inbox turns chaos into clarity.
For each task:

• Ask if it’s actionable. If not, archive or mark it as reference.
• If yes, define the next physical action – something concrete, like “Email Lisa about launch date”. Use task notes to store supporting details or reference links.

This clarification process doesn’t just organize your work – it actually reduces the cognitive tension from unfinished tasks, a phenomenon known as the Zeigarnik Effect.

By defining clear actions, you eliminate ambiguity and make it easier to engage immediately.

Step 3 – Organize: Put It Where It Belongs

Super Productivity gives you all the structure GTD needs – without unnecessary complexity.

Example setup:

• Projects: “Website Redesign”, “Personal Finances”, “Health Goals”
• Tags: #call, #deepwork, #errand
• Someday Project: For ideas you’re not ready to pursue yet

The flexible tagging and project structure keeps everything visible but never overwhelming.

Step 4 – Reflect: Weekly Review

Your GTD system is only as strong as your commitment to review it.
Once a week:

1. Use the Filter Panel (top-right icon) to scan tasks by project or tag.
2. Check your Someday list – promote items that are now relevant.
3. Review completed tasks to track progress.
4. Update priorities and deadlines as needed.

This keeps your system trustworthy and your attention focused.

Step 5 – Engage: Work with Focus

When it’s time to execute, Super Productivity helps you work intentionally:

• Use filters to see only the tasks relevant to your context (e.g., #office, #low-energy).
• Sort by priority to focus on what truly matters.
• Activate the Pomodoro Timer or Flow Timer to maintain deep concentration.

The goal is simple: do the right work, at the right moment, with full attention.

3. Advanced GTD Practices with Super Productivity

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can extend your GTD system with powerful automation and integrations:

• Recurring tasks: Automate regular reviews, reports, or maintenance routines.
• Reference material: Use task notes to store details or link to documents, folders, or local files.
• Integrations: Pull tasks directly from GitHub, Jira, or other tools – keeping your commitments synchronized without manual effort.

Unlike cloud-based task managers, Super Productivity works fully offline by default and stores data locally. You stay productive without sacrificing privacy.

4. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even the best GTD setup can break down if overcomplicated. Keep it simple:

• Over-tagging: Too many tags create friction; use only what adds clarity.
• Vague tasks: “Plan marketing” isn’t actionable–“Write outline for campaign brief” is.
• Neglecting reviews: Skipping your weekly review quickly erodes trust in your system.
• Clutter accumulation: Regularly prune tasks you’ll never do. A clear list supports a clear mind.

5. Final Thoughts

The GTD method is ultimately about clarity and control – knowing you can trust your system to hold everything that matters.

Super Productivity embodies these values: it’s flexible, privacy-first, and completely free. By combining GTD principles with thoughtful design, it helps you reclaim focus and work deliberately in a noisy digital world. For even more comprehensive productivity strategies, check out The Super Productivity Handbook.