Quick Start Guide
The shortest path from opening PrimeTask to getting real work done - create your first task, explore it, see it on the calendar, and mark it complete in under five minutes.
The Setup Wizard, App Tour, and Interactive Tutorial are great when you want a guided path. This article is for when you'd rather just start. Five short steps, each one something you'd actually do on a normal day - and after the five, a short list of things to try next.
If you'd prefer something more hand-held, see Setup Wizard, App Tour, or Interactive Tutorial.
Your workspace is already ready
The first time you open PrimeTask, a Personal Space is created automatically. You can start working right away - the Setup Wizard is there if you want to customise, not as a blocker.
Your first five minutes
1. Create your first task
Use Quick Add in the App Header, or press the Quick Add shortcut. Give it a name like "Try PrimeTask", set today as the due date, pick a priority, and save.
See Creating Tasks for every way to create a task - including quick-add syntax, right-click context menus, and from the Calendar.
2. Open the task details
Click your new task. The details page is where each task lives - rich notes, subtasks, checklist, attachments, time tracking, and more.
Try a few things:
- Type a short description in the notes area.
- Add a subtask or a checklist item.
- Drag a file onto the task to attach it.
See Task Details Page for everything a task can carry.
3. See it on the Calendar
Click Calendar in the sidebar. Your task appears on today's date. Try switching between views - Agenda, Month, Week, Day, Day Planner - from the view switcher.
See Calendar Overview.
4. Connect Apple Calendar (optional, macOS)
If you want your real-world appointments next to your tasks, enable Apple Calendar in Settings → Integrations. Your Apple Calendar events appear alongside tasks from that point on.
See Apple Calendar Integration.
5. Mark it complete
Come back to the task and mark it complete. Tick the checkbox or use the task details page. The celebration is optional - the feeling is not.
Try Focus Mode on the next real task
When you pick your next task, try a focus session - a Pomodoro-style timer that times your work block and break. See Task Focus Mode.
What to try next
Once the basics feel comfortable, spend ten more minutes on these:
- Run the Setup Wizard to set a profile, theme, and dashboard layout. See Setup Wizard.
- Take the App Tour for a narrated walk-through of every major area. See App Tour.
- Do the Interactive Tutorial - hands-on modules with completion tracking. See Interactive Tutorial.
- Explore the Dashboard - your home page with widgets that keep today and this week in view. See Dashboard Overview.
- Learn the shortcuts - Keyboard Shortcuts.
Things worth knowing
You don't have to configure anything to start
PrimeTask gives you a working Personal Space on first launch. You can create tasks, projects, and notes without touching Settings.
Quick Start is the happy path, not the only path
Every step above has a deeper article. Treat this as your five-minute onramp; go as deep as you need when you need it.
The three sidebar areas - pages, Spaces, projects
The sidebar has your main pages, your Spaces, and your projects stacked top to bottom. Switch Space to change context; click a project to jump in. See Sidebar.
The App Header is always in view
Search, quick notes, active timer, Quick Add, theme toggle, and the app menu - all reachable from the top of the screen from any page. See App Header.
Press for shortcuts, click for explore
Keyboard shortcuts are there if you want them; every path is also clickable. Start with the clickable path, lean on shortcuts as they become muscle memory.
Common questions
"Where did my task go?"
It's in the current Space. Check which Space you're in from the sidebar - tasks don't cross Spaces unless you set up sharing.
"Do I need to pick a profile straight away?"
No. The Setup Wizard is optional. You can work with the default Personal Space and run the Wizard later.
"Can I skip the tutorial?"
Yes - every onboarding tool is optional. The Quick Start path above is all you need to get started. See Interactive Tutorial when you want a deeper walkthrough.
"What if I make a mistake?"
Most actions are reversible. You can edit, delete, or un-complete tasks and projects at any time. For bigger safety, back ups and exports are in Data Management.
"How do I learn more?"
Keep the Welcome to PrimeTask article open - it links out to every category.
Where to go next
| If you want to… | Read this |
|---|---|
| Configure your workspace with a wizard | Setup Wizard |
| Take a narrated tour | App Tour |
| Learn by doing, step by step | Interactive Tutorial |
| Know the layout inside out | Understanding the Interface |
| Pick up keyboard shortcuts | Keyboard Shortcuts |
| See what each Dashboard widget does | Dashboard Overview |