Task Shadow Files

A shadow file is a text file containing a copy of a task report. It is automatically maintained by task whenever something changes in the task database.

This means there is always a current version of the task report kept in a text file. Products such as Samurize, MkConsole, or GeekTool can display this file on the computer desktop, so that it is readily visible.

To use a shadow file, edit your .taskrc configuration file, and add three entries as shown:

shadow.file=/path/to/file
shadow.command=list pri:H
shadow.notify=on

In this example the shadow file contains a report equivalent to running "task list pri:H". Note that the third entry causes a message to be displayed whenever task updates the shadow file. It is optional.

You can use any task command that generates a report, and of course, you can specify any file name, provided the directory it resides in already exists.