Task Hierarchies

[thraidh]

Problem Statement

I have a project with many topics and services. When translating the customer requirements into tasks, I usually go top-down, which leads to tasks like this:

• ...
• connectivity
  • vpn server
    • automatic certification
    • handle client certification
    • forwarding rules
      • rule 1
      • rule 2
      • rule 3
  • vpn client
    • automatic certification
    • automatic reconnection
    • OS integration/autostart
• ...

Currently it is not possible to do something like that in Super Productivity in a satisfactory way.

:grey_question: Possible Solution

Tasks can be handled as they are today, but visually tied together, i.e. by just indenting child tasks. Optionally you could show/hide child tasks.

:arrow_heading_up: Describe alternatives you've considered

Today there are several unsatisfactory ways to approximate the functionality:

• Convert super tasks into their own projects: unsatisfactory, because they are not standalone projects, just part of a bigger project
• Name tasks like "Connectivity / VPN Server / Forwarding Rules / Rule 1": unsatisfactory, because the tasks belonging together are now totally independent and it is not possible to limit your focus on e.g. only "VPN Server"
• Convert some tasks into sub tasks as available today: unsatisfactory, because it is unclear where to make the split and it would still be necessary to name tasks and or subtasks with "/"-notation
• Name tasks after the leaf name only and add tags like #connectivity, #vpnserver, #automaticcertification: unsatisfactory, since #automaticcertification appears in VPN client and server and denotes different tasks
• Use tags like #connectivity_vpnserver_automaticcertification: unsatisfactory, because of long names and essentially every task would get its own tag, which is probably not the intended way to use tags
• Only use 2 levels and try to remember the lower levels or use another tool/text file to keep track of those tasks: unsatisfactory, because I have already a tool which does almost everything I need
• Don't use Super Productivity for complex projects: unsatisfactory, because I like Super Productivity and working on complex projects is my job

[github-actions[bot]]

Thank you very much for opening up this issue! I am currently a bit overwhelmed by the many requests that arrive each week, so please forgive me, if I fail to respond personally. I am still very likely to at least skim read your request and I'll probably try to fix all (real) bugs if possible and I will likely review every single PR being made (please, give me a heads up if you intent to do so) and I will try to work on popular requests (please upvote via thumbs up on the original issue) whenever possible, but trying to respond to every single issue over the last years has been kind of draining and I need to adjust my approach for this project to remain fun for me and to make any progress with actually coding new stuff. Thanks for your understanding!

[github-actions[bot]]

Hello there thraidh! 👋

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[johannesjo]

Related #643

[thraidh]

Thanks for considering! Is there any way I can help?

[johannesjo]

As mentioned in the related issue this is currently not planned (though I am open for good suggestions on how to integrate deeper levels of sub tasks). As mentioned in the issue there is also the possibility to use the task description for deeper levels of planning:

- Something /
- Comet Haley /
   - Sub sub sub task /

[github-actions[bot]]

This issue has not received any updates in 90 days. Please comment, if this still relevant!

[RokeJulianLockhart]

https://github.com/johannesjo/super-productivity/issues/2657#issuecomment-1793605147

@GitHub-Actions, lack of task hierarchies is unacceptable in 2023. This issue should be whitelisted.

[Korne127]

I think this feature is essential as well. I found this project and it really looks great, but being able to nest tasks recursively (and maybe even projects) is a necessary feature to organise your tasks imo. I hope this will be implemented at some point, but for now I have to look for an alternative.

I also don't get why #643 has been closed when it's not yet implemented.

[RokeJulianLockhart]

@johannesjo, why do https://github.com/johannesjo/super-productivity/issues/2657#event-11444136677 yet not reopen this?

[johannesjo]

My argument remains the same as with #643 (and so do the options to work around this). On the main view there would be very many complications UI wise to implement an infinite number of levels. Even a third level is difficult. There are also many problems with that conceptually that would need to be solved.

I am not ruling this out completely, but there is much work to be done (not sure when I will find the time...) and there is the risk that the end result will feel complicated for the end user.

As a general remark: I think super productivity works best as a tool to plan and engage with your tasks on a daily basis. Personally I use pen & paper or an empty text document for broader conceptual long term planning and transfer it as needed.

[github-actions[bot]]

This issue has not received any updates in 90 days. Please comment, if this still relevant!

[RokeJulianLockhart]

https://github.com/johannesjo/super-productivity/issues/2657#issuecomment-2261798692

@GitHub-Actions, https://github.com/johannesjo/super-productivity/issues/2657#issuecomment-1817715991