Recurring tasks repeat on a schedule instead of using a single due date. They're for the operational work that comes back on a rhythm — invoicing, reporting, reviews, backups, check-ins.
Setting a schedule
Open the repeat control on a task's Due Date, or the Recurring section of task details. The menu is Repeat schedule. More in details jumps from the compact menu into the drawer section.
| Pattern | What you set |
|---|---|
| Daily | Every N day(s) |
| Weekly | Every N week(s), then On and the weekdays |
| Monthly | Every N month(s). Monthly rule is Day (pick Day 1 through Day 31) or Last day |
Stop repeating clears the schedule. The task keeps its current due date and becomes a normal task. Completing an occurrence does not stop the series.
Draft rows stay pinned in the list until you add a title or due date, which is useful when you want to set the recurrence before anything else.
Completion is per occurrence
This is the behaviour most worth understanding. Checking a recurring task complete applies to today's occurrence — or whichever day you're looking at in list or calendar context — not to the series forever.
The series continues on schedule. Past occurrences can appear on the calendar on the days they were completed, which gives you an honest record of whether a weekly task actually happened weekly.
To stop a series entirely, use Stop repeating. Completing the task only finishes that occurrence.
How they look in the list
The due column shows a compact recurrence label rather than a single date:
M, T, W, Th, FMondaysEvery 3 mo on 15th
Recurring task, habit, or routine?
Three features that repeat, for three different purposes.
| Use | When | Where it lives |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring task | Operational work with an output — invoice a client, publish the report | My Tasks |
| Habit | A personal practice you want to sustain — walk, read, stretch | Habits, with streaks and a heatmap |
| Routine | A structured daily check-in — mood, energy, intention | Settings → Routines |
The dividing line: if failing to do it affects your work, it's a recurring task. If it affects you, it's a habit. If it's the check-in that tells you how you're doing, it's a routine.
Practical patterns
- Weekly patterns carry operational rhythm best — Monday planning, Friday invoicing, Thursday reporting.
- Monthly or longer intervals suit reviews, reconciliations, and admin you'd otherwise forget entirely.
- Every N days is often a better fit than weekly for maintenance work, where "roughly every 10 days" is the honest requirement.
- Pair recurring operational tasks with the morning routine so they get seen rather than accumulating unnoticed.
Common questions
If I complete a recurring task, does the whole series stop?
No. Completion applies to that occurrence only, and the series continues on its schedule.
How do I stop a recurring task permanently?
Turn recurrence off with Stop repeating on the repeat menu, or in the Recurring section of task details.
Can I skip a single occurrence?
Completing an occurrence is per day, so an occurrence you didn't do simply stays uncompleted while the series moves on.
Do recurring tasks show up in Plan My Day?
Yes — today's occurrence appears among your open tasks and can take one of your five slots. See Plan My Day.
Can I see the history of a recurring task?
Past occurrences appear on the calendar on the days they were completed, which makes gaps visible.
Should this be a recurring task or a habit?
If it produces work output, make it a recurring task. If it's a personal practice you want to see a streak and heatmap for, make it a habit.