Show HN: NowDo – MacOS todo app for procrastinators

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

A new macOS to‑do app called NowDo aims to help procrastinators by showing only one “current task” in an always‑on‑top window and stripping away common productivity‑app features like tags and complex taxonomies. Commenters are split between appreciating the minimalist, focus‑first approach and requesting more power‑user features, mobile/web versions, and better sync, while raising concerns about installing native apps, security, pricing models, and long‑term data ownership. Overall, the tool is seen as an interesting experiment in opinionated design and ultra‑simple task management.

Overall reception

  • Many commenters like the concept: a minimalist, “always-on-top” Mac todo app showing one task at a time.
  • Several say they’re interested but want more screenshots or a short demo/video before installing.
  • Some find the always-on-top behavior motivating; others dislike having a persistent window and would prefer something less intrusive.

Installation, platform, and trust

  • Multiple people are hesitant to install a native Mac app just to try it; they’d prefer a web demo or web version.
  • Others argue web apps are already too dominant and that native apps are better for focus and data control.
  • Security concerns: installing any app is seen as a risk; browsers are perceived as a convenient sandbox.
  • The developer notes the app is signed via Apple’s process, but one commenter criticizes perceived anonymity.
  • One user reports the app “phoning home”; developer explains it checks a JSON endpoint for rare update/announcement messages.

UX and interaction model

  • Core behavior: always-on-top window, one “current task” (oldest unsnoozed, not-done), easy global hotkey to add tasks, minimal features.
  • Some want the current task in the menu bar instead, to reduce distraction and remove the window from Cmd‑Tab.
  • Concerns about screen real estate, presence in the task switcher, and inability to move the window to a second monitor (reported as a bug).
  • Several mention conflicts between default keyboard shortcuts and window managers; configurable shortcuts are requested and acknowledged.

Feature requests and philosophy

  • Many requests: time tracking, project grouping, color-coding, nested subtasks, drag-and-drop, bulk operations, task reordering, font/size customization, better “nothing to do” behavior, and showing top N tasks.
  • The developer repeatedly emphasizes a strict simplicity philosophy: minimal features to avoid procrastination by “managing the app instead of doing tasks.”
  • Some users argue advanced structuring (e.g., infinite nesting, strong data sovereignty, KeePass-like openness) could be a differentiator versus tools like Todoist.

Business model, sync, and interoperability

  • Current core app is free; planned revenue from premium cloud backup and cross-device sync.
  • Strong pushback from multiple commenters against subscriptions and proprietary clouds; preference for:
    • One-time purchase, possibly higher price.
    • Using user-chosen storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, etc.) with encryption and easy export (CSV already supported).
  • Interest in future Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android versions, plus APIs for integration with other minimalist task tools.