Zen modes

Zen modes are minimal, focused interfaces for three distinct activities. No sidebar, no project list, no clutter. Just what you need for that moment. They map directly to the GTD workflow: Capture, Clarify, Engage.

Capture mode

Get it out of your head.

• One field. Type. Enter. Next.
• No project, no status, no decisions. Tasks go straight to the inbox.
• Use it when ideas are flowing—meetings, brainstorming, walking the dog. Capture without interrupting the flow.

"The key to stress-free productivity is capturing 100% of your 'stuff' in buckets you trust." — David Allen

Capture mode is that bucket. Dump everything in. Process later.

Clarify mode

What is it? What's the next action?

• Shows inbox tasks one at a time (or a simple list).
• For each: add priority, time estimate, energy level, labels, notes.
• No project yet—that happens in Classify. Focus on what it is, not where it goes.

Use Clarify after a capture session or when the inbox has unprocessed items. You're answering: Is it actionable? What's the next physical step? What context does it need?

Engage mode

Do the work.

• Pick a view (Next Actions, Overdue, Waiting For, etc.).
• Pick a context (@computer, @phone, @errands).
• See only tasks that match. One at a time or a short list.
• Mark done, defer, or switch. No browsing. No "what should I do?" paralysis.

Engage is for doing, not deciding. You've already captured, clarified, and organized. Now you're executing. Pick your context, see your next actions, and go.

When to use each

Accessing zen modes

Zen modes are available from the app menu or direct routes (/capture, /clarify, /engage). Use them full-screen for maximum focus. They're designed so you can run a full GTD cycle without ever leaving the mode you're in.