Dashboard Layout
Customise your Dashboard per Space - show, hide, drag-reorder widgets between two columns, pick from four built-in presets (Minimal, Balanced, Productivity, Full Dashboard), and reset to default.
The Dashboard is fully customisable per Space. Each Space remembers its own layout - which widgets are visible, which column they're in, and the order within each column. You can shape the dashboard to match what each Space is for: a tight Personal Space might use the Minimal preset; a busy Work Space might use Productivity or Full.
Layout is saved per Space
Changing one Space's Dashboard layout does not change another Space's Dashboard.
What you can do
Show or hide any widget
toggle each widget on or off
Reorder widgets
by dragging them within or between the two columns
Pick a preset
Minimal (3 widgets), Balanced (8), Productivity (10), or Full Dashboard (11)
Save changes per Space
each Space has its own layout
Reset to default
when you want to start over
See a visual schematic
of your current layout in the editor
Get a recommended preset
during the Setup Wizard based on your role
Adapt automatically
when widgets are conditionally hidden (Reminders requires macOS + integration enabled)
How to open the Layout Editor
The Layout Editor opens from the Layout Editor button in the Dashboard Header (the icon next to Settings).
You can also access it from the Setup Wizard's Dashboard step.
Use presets for a fast reset
Presets are useful when you want a clean starting point before fine-tuning widgets.
The two-column grid
The Dashboard widget grid has two columns:
- Left column - typically wider, for content-heavy widgets (Project Overview, Upcoming Tasks, Today's Focus, etc.)
- Right column - for narrower widgets (Quick Actions, Task Status Overview, Focus Stats, etc.)
You can put any widget in either column - the column choice is yours. Widgets in each column stack top-to-bottom in the order you set.
On narrower windows, both columns collapse into a single column showing widgets in left-then-right order.
Showing and hiding widgets
In the Layout Editor, each widget has a visibility toggle. Hidden widgets stay in your saved layout (in their column and order) but don't render on the dashboard. Re-show them with one click - no need to drag them back.
Hidden widgets appear dimmed in the editor with an "off" icon, so you can always see your full widget catalogue and pick from it.
Reordering widgets
Drag any widget by its handle to reorder. You can:
- Drag within a column to change its position
- Drag across columns to move it to the other side
- See drop indicators (lines showing where the widget will land) as you drag
The drag uses pointer events, so it works smoothly on macOS and Windows.
The four built-in presets
PrimeTask ships with four preset layouts. The Setup Wizard recommends one based on your role, but you can pick any preset at any time (and customise from there).
Minimal (3 widgets)
The most stripped-down layout. Ideal for distraction-free workflows where you only want the essentials.
| Column | Widgets |
|---|---|
| Left | Upcoming Tasks, Quick Notes |
| Right | Quick Actions |
Best for: Personal Spaces, focused workflows, anyone who wants the dashboard to stay out of the way.
Balanced (8 widgets) - default for most roles
A middle-ground layout that covers tasks, projects, and analytics without overwhelming.
| Column | Widgets |
|---|---|
| Left | Project Overview, Today's Focus, Upcoming Tasks, Quick Notes |
| Right | Quick Actions, Task Status Overview, Focus Stats, Recent Activity |
Best for: Most users - Project Manager, Software Developer, Designer, Content Creator, Marketing.
Productivity (10 widgets)
Adds Scheduling Insights and Quick Tasks for users who plan their day in detail.
| Column | Widgets |
|---|---|
| Left | Project Overview, Today's Focus, Scheduling Insights, Upcoming Tasks, Quick Notes |
| Right | Quick Actions, Task Status Overview, Focus Stats, Recent Activity, Quick Tasks |
Best for: Freelancers, Sales, Support - heavy planners and high-touch roles.
Full Dashboard (11 widgets)
Every widget enabled, including Reminders (when macOS + Apple Reminders integration is set up).
Best for: Power users who want everything visible.
Profile-to-preset mapping
When you go through the Setup Wizard, PrimeTask suggests a preset based on the role you choose. You can override the suggestion by picking any preset from the wizard.
| Role | Recommended preset |
|---|---|
| Personal | Minimal |
| Project Manager | Balanced |
| Freelancer | Productivity |
| Software Developer | Balanced |
| Content Creator | Balanced |
| Sales | Productivity |
| Marketing | Balanced |
| Designer | Balanced |
| Support | Productivity |
| Power User | Full Dashboard |
These are starting points - you can always switch presets or hand-customise after onboarding from the Layout Editor button in the Dashboard Header. See Setup Wizard.
Saving your layout
Changes save automatically as you make them. There's no Save button - drag a widget, toggle its visibility, switch presets, and the change is persisted to your view preferences immediately.
Layouts sync across your devices via File Sync or iCloud (whichever you use). Open PrimeTask on another device and you'll see the same layout per Space.
Layout changes save automatically
Reordering widgets, changing visibility, or choosing a preset updates the saved layout as you work.
Resetting to default
The Layout Editor has a Reset to default action that restores PrimeTask's default layout (which is similar to Balanced). Use it when you want to start over without manually rearranging.
Resetting affects only the current Space's layout - other Spaces keep their layouts.
Reset only when you want the default layout back
Resetting changes the current Space's widget arrangement, but it does not delete task or widget data.
Conditional widget visibility
Some widgets are conditionally hidden even when marked visible in your layout - they only appear when the underlying integration or platform is available.
Reminders widget
The Reminders widget only appears when:
Step 1
You're on macOS (Apple Reminders is macOS-only)
Step 2
The Apple Reminders integration is enabled in Settings → Integrations
Step 3
The integration's target Space matches your current Space (or no target is set)
If any condition isn't met, the widget is hidden from the layout regardless of your visibility setting. As soon as you meet all conditions, the widget appears.
See Reminders Widget and Integrations Settings.
Things worth knowing
Each Space has its own layout
Switch Spaces and the dashboard rearranges to match that Space's layout. Customise each Space's dashboard for what that Space does - your Personal Space's dashboard can look completely different from your Work Space's.
New Spaces start with the default layout
When you create a new Space, its dashboard starts with the default layout (Balanced-style with all 11 widgets visible by default, minus any conditionally hidden ones). Customise from there.
The header isn't customisable
The Dashboard Header (avatar, progress ring, action buttons) is always shown and isn't part of the layout. Only the widget grid below it is customisable. See Dashboard Header.
Stat cards aren't customisable either
The four stat cards (Total Tasks, Completed, Active, Overdue) sit between the header and the widget grid. They're always shown and not affected by your layout. See Stat Cards Widget.
Empty layout shows a hint
If you hide every widget, the dashboard shows a button inviting you to open the Layout Editor and bring widgets back. Useful as a deliberate "blank slate" mode if you want only the header and stat cards.
Custom layouts merge with new widgets on update
When PrimeTask adds a new widget in an update, your saved layout is preserved - the new widget is added to your layout (typically hidden by default). Open the Layout Editor and toggle the new widget on if you want it.
Setup Wizard recommendations are only suggestions
The Setup Wizard recommends a preset based on your role, but you can pick any preset regardless of role. The mapping is a starting point, not a constraint.
Common questions
"How do I open the Layout Editor?"
Click the Layout Editor button in the Dashboard Header (top right area, between the Setup Wizard and Settings buttons).
"Why does my Reminders widget keep disappearing?"
The Reminders widget is conditionally hidden - it requires macOS, the Apple Reminders integration enabled, and the right target Space. Check Settings → Integrations and confirm all three. See Integrations Settings.
"Can I have a different layout for the same Space on a different device?"
No - layouts are per-Space and sync across your devices. The same Space looks the same on every device.
"I changed my mind - how do I get back to the default?"
Open the Layout Editor and click Reset to default. Your Space's layout returns to the default. Other Spaces keep their layouts.
"Can I copy a layout from one Space to another?"
Not currently - there's no built-in copy. Manually configure each Space's layout, or pick the same preset for both Spaces.
"What happens to my customisations if I pick a preset?"
Picking a preset replaces the current Space's layout entirely. Any custom show/hide/order is lost. If you want to keep customisations, drag and toggle individually instead of picking a preset.
"Why don't I see the Setup Wizard recommending a preset?"
The recommendation appears during the Setup Wizard's Dashboard step, based on the role you selected earlier in the wizard. If you skipped or changed your role, the recommendation may differ. You can always pick any preset manually.
"Can I hide the stat cards?"
No - the stat cards are always shown alongside the dashboard header. Only the widgets in the grid below are customisable.
"Are layouts shared with my team?"
Yes - layouts sync via File Sync or iCloud as part of your view preferences. Your team members in the same shared Space see the same layout. Each user can have their own per-device override if their preferences sync independently.
Where to go next
| If you want to… | Read this |
|---|---|
| See the Dashboard Header that sits above the layout | Dashboard Header |
| Skim every widget at a glance | Widgets Overview |
| Pick a preset during onboarding | Setup Wizard |
| Set up Apple Reminders for the Reminders widget | Integrations Settings |
| Understand Spaces (each has its own layout) | Spaces Overview |
| Return to the Dashboard hub | Dashboard Overview |