Questions people ask about Irkless
Short answers. If yours isn't here, email hello@irkless.com.
Starting out
Do I need to learn a system first?
No. Put everything in the Inbox, sort it when you have a minute, and pick what goes in Today. That's most of it. If you know Getting Things Done, the list names will feel familiar.
How do I start?
Start the trial, press n and empty your head into the Inbox, one line at a time. Then file each thing into a project, Today, Someday or the bin. There's a guide inside the app if you want one.
Can I bring my tasks from another app?
Copy a list from your old app and paste it into Irkless: each line becomes a task, and Things 3 lists keep their due dates. The Mac app can bring in Apple Reminders lists too. How to move from your app
Paying
How long is the trial, and do I need a card?
30 days, with everything switched on, and no card. After that it's $6 a month or $60 a year, in your own currency where possible.
Why isn't there a free tier?
A free tier means choosing what to hold back and building the app around that line. Thirty days of the whole thing tells you more.
What happens when the trial ends?
Nothing is lost. You can still sign in, see everything and export it; you just can't add or change anything until you subscribe.
Can I cancel any time?
Yes, from account settings, with no contract and no retention call. You keep full access until the end of the period you've paid for, and your lists stay readable after that.
Will the price go up?
Not for you while your subscription keeps running. If it lapses and you come back, you pay the price at that time. The terms have the exact wording.
Do I pay for the Apple apps?
They come with your Irkless subscription, along with the web and terminal apps. If you'd rather not have an account, try them free for 30 days, then unlock Standalone usage with a one-off purchase: $9.99 for the Mac, $9.99 for iPhone, iPad and Watch, or $15.99 for both. Without an account your lists stay on your devices and don't sync.
Is there a referral scheme?
Yes. Your link is in Settings. Each friend who signs up with it and subscribes earns you a stamp: one is a free month, ten a free year, twenty-five free for life.
Do you do student or charity discounts?
Not formally. If the price is a genuine problem, email hello@irkless.com and say so.
Using it
What's the difference between an Area and a Project?
A project finishes: "Redecorate the nursery". An area doesn't: "Home". Projects live inside areas, and tasks live in either.
Can tasks have subtasks?
Yes. Press Tab or drop one task onto another, and the parent's ring fills as the subtasks get done. For small steps, a checklist in the notes is often enough.
How do repeating tasks work?
On a schedule (every Monday, the 15th, the second Tuesday of the month) or a set time after you tick it off, which suits jobs like servicing the boiler. You see the next few dates before you save.
How do I mark something as important?
Flag it, and it stands out wherever it appears. There are no priority levels; a deadline or a place in Today usually says more than "P1" does.
What keyboard shortcuts are there?
One for everything. Hold ? in the app to see them all. Start with n to capture, / to search and x to complete.
Can I change how it looks?
Yes. Pick a theme for light mode and one for dark, a font that suits your eyes (including ones made for dyslexia), and a compact or roomy layout.
What languages is it in?
More than 30, with your own date and number formats. Pick one in Settings.
Apps and devices
Where does it run?
In any browser and in the terminal, today. The Mac, iPhone, iPad and Watch apps are in private beta. Android and Windows apps are planned. See all the apps.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes: the web app works in any phone's browser. The iPhone app is in private beta.
Does it work offline?
It copes with a dropped connection: your changes go through when it's back. It isn't made for days offline, though.
Can I install the web app?
Yes. Add it to your dock or home screen from your browser's menu and it opens in its own window.
Is there an API?
Not a public one. You can connect an AI assistant such as Claude or ChatGPT (in beta), and for scripts and status bars the terminal app can print your lists as text or JSON.
Your data
Where is my data, and who can see it?
It's stored in the EU and kept private. Nobody reads your tasks unless you ask for help with something specific, and your data isn't sold or used to train AI. The privacy policy has the details.
Do you track what I do?
No ads and no third-party analytics in the app. It keeps a log of changes to your account, with the IP address they came from, for security and support. This website uses Google Tag Manager. The privacy policy covers both.
Can I get my data out?
Yes, whenever you like, even after you cancel. Everything comes out, attachments included.
What happens if Irkless shuts down?
The intention is plenty of notice, a full export, and the code released so anyone could keep running their own copy. That isn't in the terms yet, so treat it as intent rather than a contract.
Can I share lists with other people?
No. Irkless is for one person. Waiting For and Delegated track what's in other people's hands, but they don't see anything. For shared projects, Todoist or Asana will serve you better.
How do I get help?
There's a guide inside the app. For anything else, ask on the community forum with your Irkless login, or email hello@irkless.com.
Try it on a real week
Thirty days, every feature, no card. Put this week's tasks in it and see whether you trust it by Friday.