Any.do
To-do list and task management app for organizing personal tasks, reminders, and schedules
Ao
Elegant, feature-rich desktop client for Microsoft To-Do
Unofficial Microsoft To-Do desktop app with dark themes, global shortcuts, auto-night mode, and extensive keyboard navigation. Cross-platform and community-driven.
Overview
Overview
Ao is an unofficial desktop client for Microsoft To-Do that brings elegant design and power-user features to task management. Used by people in over 120 countries, it wraps the Microsoft To-Do web experience in a native desktop shell with extensive customization options.
Key Capabilities
The app offers multiple visual themes (Black, Dark, Sepia) with auto-night mode that adapts to your environment. A compact mode automatically activates when you downsize the window. With 40+ local keyboard shortcuts and customizable global hotkeys, you can create todos, navigate lists, and search tasks without touching your mouse. The scalable interface lets you adjust zoom levels, while list navigation shortcuts (Cmd/Ctrl 1-9) provide instant access to your task lists.
Deployment & Audience
Ao runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Installation options include direct downloads from GitHub releases, Snapcraft for Ubuntu users, and Homebrew Cask for macOS. It's ideal for productivity enthusiasts who want a native desktop experience for Microsoft To-Do with keyboard-driven workflows and visual customization beyond what the official web or mobile apps provide.
Highlights
40+ customizable local shortcuts plus global hotkeys accessible system-wide
Multiple themes (Black, Dark, Sepia) with automatic night mode adjustment
Compact mode and scalable interface with adjustable zoom levels
Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux with multiple install methods
Pros
- Extensive keyboard shortcuts enable fast, mouse-free task management
- Multiple theme options including auto-night mode for eye comfort
- Customizable shortcuts via configuration file for personalized workflows
- Active community support across 120+ countries
Considerations
- Unofficial client means no guaranteed compatibility with future Microsoft To-Do changes
- Requires existing Microsoft To-Do account; not a standalone task manager
- Homebrew Cask version may lag behind latest releases
- Limited to Microsoft To-Do features; cannot extend beyond official API capabilities
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Fit guide
Great for
- Power users who prefer keyboard-driven workflows over mouse navigation
- Professionals managing Microsoft To-Do tasks across multiple desktop environments
- Users seeking dark mode and visual customization options for extended screen time
- Teams already invested in Microsoft To-Do ecosystem wanting enhanced desktop experience
Not ideal when
- Users seeking official Microsoft support and guaranteed long-term compatibility
- Organizations requiring enterprise-grade security certifications for desktop apps
- People looking for task management features beyond Microsoft To-Do's native capabilities
- Users who prefer minimal, lightweight apps without extensive customization options
How teams use it
Keyboard-Driven Task Triage
Process daily tasks using global shortcuts to create todos and navigate lists without leaving your current application, reducing context switching and maintaining focus.
Multi-Platform Productivity Workflow
Maintain consistent Microsoft To-Do access across Windows workstations, macOS laptops, and Linux development machines with unified keyboard shortcuts and theme preferences.
Extended Screen Time Management
Reduce eye strain during long work sessions by enabling auto-night mode and sepia themes that automatically adjust to ambient lighting conditions throughout the day.
Rapid List Navigation
Jump instantly between project lists using numeric shortcuts (Cmd/Ctrl 1-9) to review priorities, update statuses, and coordinate tasks across multiple workstreams without scrolling.
Tech snapshot
JavaScript75%
CSS25%
Frequently asked questions
Does Ao require a Microsoft To-Do account?
Yes, Ao is a desktop client for Microsoft To-Do and requires an existing Microsoft account with To-Do access. It wraps the official web experience with enhanced desktop features.
How do I customize keyboard shortcuts?
Press Cmd/Ctrl + . to open the configuration file (~/.ao.json) where you can modify any shortcut. To reset all shortcuts to defaults, delete the file and restart the app.
Can I use Ao alongside the official Microsoft To-Do apps?
Yes, Ao syncs with your Microsoft To-Do account, so changes made in Ao appear in official web, mobile, and desktop apps, and vice versa.
What are global shortcuts and how do I enable them?
Global shortcuts let you control Ao from anywhere in your operating system. Enable them via File > Enable Global Shortcut Keys, then use shortcuts like Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + C to create todos system-wide.
Which installation method should I use?
Download directly from GitHub releases for the latest version. Ubuntu users can use Snapcraft (snap install ao) for automatic updates. macOS users can use Homebrew Cask, though it may not always have the newest release.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 2,169
- Watchers
- 2,169
- Forks
- 208
LicenseMIT
Repo age8 years old
Last commit3 months ago
Primary languageJavaScript
Last synced 3 hours ago