tda review
A capable local task system for technical teams comfortable working in the terminal.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
tda is a local-first to-do and task-management application for individual users, small teams, and AI-agent workflows. It runs on macOS and Linux as a desktop application, with a keyboard-driven terminal interface and a scriptable CLI. Tasks can be organized as flat lists, arbitrary-depth trees, or dependency graphs, making it suited to technical teams that need more structure than a simple checklist. Local database storage avoids an account or server requirement.
Its strongest area is task structure and operational detail. Tasks can include statuses, notes, due dates, recurring schedules, estimates, tags, assignments, attachments, and time logs. Progress and roll-ups help summarize work, while assignment, claiming, and delegation support small-team workflows. AI-agent workflow support and workspace scoping add a clear fit for users coordinating tasks through automation. Markdown and JSON import/export also make the product practical for moving task data into or out of other workflows.
The trade-off is its focused environment. macOS and Linux support, terminal operation, and documentation-based support make tda a natural choice for technical users who prefer keyboard-driven tools, local data, and command-line automation. It is less suitable for people who want a broadly accessible visual task app or a platform-oriented experience outside those systems. Choose tda for structured task trees, dependencies, recurring work, time tracking, and local control; choose another to-do app if terminal use is not central to the workflow.
tda pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Arbitrary-depth task trees and dependency graphs
- Scriptable CLI with structured JSON output
- Local storage with Markdown and JSON import/export
- Where it doesn't
- Limited to macOS and Linux
- Terminal-based operation may not suit visual-app users
- Support is provided through documentation
tda fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update