todo.txt manager for Linux, Windows and MacOS, free and open-source (FOSS)
2k
Stars
135
Forks
54
Open issues
30
Contributors
AI Analysis
sleek is a cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux) todo.txt manager with a clean GUI, supporting full todo.txt syntax plus features like repeating todos, archiving, full-text search, and customizable filtering. It serves individuals and teams who prefer lightweight, standards-based task management; not suitable for enterprise project management or those needing real-time collaboration.
Inferred from signals mentioned in the README (tests, CI, type safety) — not a review of the actual code.
AI's overall editorial judgment — not an average of the bars above, can weigh other factors too.
Cross-platform todo.txt desktop app with clean UI, modest adoption, actively maintained
sleek is an Electron-based desktop application for managing tasks using the todo.txt format and syntax. It targets users who prefer plain-text task management across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Available through major app stores (Apple, Microsoft, Snap, Flathub) and Homebrew. The project appears to serve a niche audience comfortable with todo.txt conventions and desktop-based workflows rather than cloud-native or mobile-first task management.
Created October 2020 as an open-source todo.txt manager. Built in TypeScript with Electron, positioning itself as a minimalist alternative to heavier task managers. The project matured from initial release to multi-platform distribution across official app stores by 2024–2025.
Gained 2,002 stars over ~5.5 years, averaging roughly 365 stars per year, with recent trajectory showing 5 stars in the last 7 days (as of July 2026). Growth appears steady but gradual. Distribution through major app stores likely contributed to stability but has not driven exponential adoption. The maintainer's explicit request for contributors (especially React/TypeScript/Electron expertise) suggests capacity constraints rather than runaway demand.
Adoption not verified. The README documents distribution channels (Apple App Store, Microsoft Store, Snap, Flathub, Homebrew, AUR, SourceForge) but provides no download statistics, user counts, testimonials, or adoption case studies. The GitHub star count (2,002) is modest relative to category leaders. Presence in official app stores and package managers indicates some level of real-world use, but scale is unclear.
Appears to be an Electron application written in TypeScript with React for UI. Based on README, the core architecture centers on parsing and writing todo.txt files, with tag-based filtering, grouping, full-text search, and file-change monitoring. The project appears to support local file operations with continuous file scanning for external changes.
Not documented in README. The maintainer explicitly identifies test coverage as a backlog priority, stating 'we need to continue refactoring the code, build reliable test coverage, and reduce bugs,' which suggests test coverage is currently insufficient.
Last push 2026-07-08 (1 day before evaluation date), indicating active maintenance. Repository shows continuous development with explicit backlog and contribution roadmap documented. However, the call for contributors and backlog growth suggest resource constraints rather than overwhelming demand. Maintenance appears conscientious but not accelerating.
ADOPT IF: you use todo.txt format, prefer local plain-text task storage, need a lightweight cross-platform desktop UI, and are comfortable in a mature but niche project. AVOID IF: you require mobile apps, cloud sync, extensive third-party integrations, or high test coverage assurance in a large, well-resourced project. MONITOR IF: you are considering this as a long-term primary task manager and want to see test coverage and resource stability improve before committing workflows to it.
Independent dimensions
Mainstream potential
3/10
Technical importance
5/10
Adoption evidence
3/10
- Resource constraints: maintainer explicitly solicits contributors for backlog reduction and bug fixes; limited capacity may slow bug fixes and feature development.
- Test coverage gap: README and maintainer commentary confirm insufficient test coverage is a known issue; quality regressions may occur without investment.
- Adoption scale unclear: no public metrics on download counts or active users; sustainability depends on funding (sponsorships) and volunteer contribution.
- Long-term Electron viability: Electron apps face sustained criticism for memory overhead and platform parity; desktop-first adoption may not grow as mobile and web task managers improve.
- todo.txt format constraints: the format is static and intentionally minimalist; if users outgrow it, migration friction is high.
sleek will likely remain a stable, well-maintained niche tool for todo.txt enthusiasts and local-file-first users. Growth will be gradual; mainstream task-management adoption seems unlikely due to category incumbents and lack of mobile/cloud strategy. Project sustainability depends on sustained sponsorship and volunteer contributions.
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Languages
Information
- Language
- TypeScript
- License
- MIT
- Last updated
- 20h ago
- Created
- 70mo ago
- Analyzed with
- anthropic/claude-haiku-4-5
Stars over time
Contributors over time
Top 100 contributors only — repos with more will plateau at 100.
Open issues
Make any type of link clickable (not just http/https)
Add setting to disable adding completion date
Project "picker" for enter/edit a new task
Batch editing of tasks
Allow renaming of the terms "Projects" and "Contexts"
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CLI-based reference implementation; 6,136 stars. sleek targets GUI-preferring users across desktop platforms; todo.txt-cli targets terminal users. Complementary rather than directly competitive.
Note-taking and task management hybrid; 55,485 stars. Much broader scope; appeals to users wanting integrated note + task workflow. sleek is purpose-built for todo.txt format minimalism.
Todo.txt manager written in Rust; 1,279 stars. Both serve todo.txt niche; tuxedo smaller adoption. Technical stack differs; sleek Electron/TypeScript vs. tuxedo Rust suggests different target audiences.
Cloud-synced note app; 5,249 stars. Broader use case; requires cloud service. sleek is entirely local-file-based, appealing to users avoiding cloud lock-in.
TypeScript todo.txt app; 3,067 stars. Similar technology stack and domain. Higher star count than sleek; unclear whether due to superior adoption, UI appeal, or timing.
