things3listed

# Things 3 -- Best Practices Reference This is the canonical reference for how the Exobrain interacts with Things 3. All skills that create, update, or query tasks MUST follow these conventions. ## MCP Tools | Tool | Purpose | |------|---------| | `search_todos` | Search tasks by keyword. **Use before every `add_todo`** | | `add_todo` | Create a new task | | `update_todo` | Update an existing task (append notes, change fields) | | `get_inbox` | Retrieve all inbox items | | `get_today` | Today's tasks | | `get_upcoming` | Next 3 days of tasks | | `get_projects` | All active projects | | `get_anytime` | Tasks with "anytime" scheduling | | `get_someday` | Someday/maybe items | | `get_areas` | All areas of responsibility | | `update_project` | Update project fields (notes, etc.) | | `get_logbook` | Completed tasks | | `search_advanced` | Advanced search with filters | | `get_tagged_items` | Filter tasks by tag | | `show_item` | Retrieve a specific item by ID | | `add_project` | Create a new project | | `get_headings` | Get headings within a project | | `get_tags` | List all tags | ## Best Practices ### CRITICAL Rules 1. **Duplicate check before every add.** Always call `search_todos` before `add_todo`. If a matching task exists, use `update_todo` to append new context to its notes instead of creating a duplicate. No exceptions. 2. **Inbox is ALWAYS the destination.** Every task created by the Exobrain goes to the Inbox -- no exceptions. Alex sorts and prioritizes manually.