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Can I code Todoist?

A task list is the classic first app for a reason: it's CRUD with a due date. The weekend goes on the parts that make you actually keep using it — quick capture and recurring tasks.

VIBE SCORE 95/100

how this is worked out

Why CanICodeThis says Build it

  • Tasks, projects, due dates, done states: an afternoon of schema and forms
  • Natural-language dates ("every other friday") are a solved problem with existing date libraries an agent wires in cleanly
  • A PWA on your phone's home screen covers the mobile app for one person

Read before building

  • True offline sync across three devices is genuinely hard — the free tier of just paying is cheaper than building sync you trust
  • Shared projects with a partner or team
  • Ten years of their keyboard-shortcut muscle memory

Bill of materials

The parts this build actually needs, each rated on its own — the average is the Vibe Score above.

Landing page99
CRUD database95
User login92

The build spec

Build me a personal task manager as a PWA. Features: projects, tasks with due dates and priorities, a today view, quick-add with natural-language date parsing (use a date parsing library, don't write your own), recurring tasks (daily, weekly, monthly, every N days), and done/archive. Store data in SQLite behind a small API with a single-user login. Make it installable on my phone with offline read access and a service worker. Keyboard shortcuts: quick-add, complete, navigate views.

Standard Parts/Free Alternatives

Don't feel like building it? These are already made, open-source, and free.

categorytasks
time to codea weekend
Build it
their price$5/mo · $60/yr
last checked2026-08 · source ↗

Questions

Can I code Todoist?

Build it. A task list is the classic first app for a reason: it's CRUD with a due date. The weekend goes on the parts that make you actually keep using it — quick capture and recurring tasks.

How much does Todoist cost?

Todoist costs $5/mo (about $60/yr) as of 2026-08. That's what a working rebuild would save you.

What do I lose by building it myself?

True offline sync across three devices is genuinely hard — the free tier of just paying is cheaper than building sync you trust Shared projects with a partner or team Ten years of their keyboard-shortcut muscle memory

Is there a free alternative to Todoist I don't have to build?

Yes — Vikunja, Focalboard are open-source options worth trying before you build your own. Details are in the standard parts section on this sheet.