whatnext 1.0

A lister of tasks found in Markdown files

What next?

Document your tasks in Markdown files, using an expanded version of the original GitHub task list notation:

- [ ] open, this task is outstanding
- [/] in progress, this task is partially complete
- [X] complete, this task has been finished
- [#] cancelled, this task has been scratched
- [<] blocked, this task needs more input

- [ ] _a little more important_
- [ ] **a lot more important**

- [ ] get NYE fireworks tickets @2025-12-31

Then install whatnext:

pip install whatnext

Now run it and it'll tell you what's next, sorting by priority and state:

(computer)% whatnext
README.md:
    # What next? / HIGH
    - [ ] a lot more important

README.md:
    # What next? / MEDIUM
    - [ ] a little more important

README.md:
    # What next? / IMMINENT 6d
    - [ ] get NYE fireworks tickets

README.md:
    # What next?
    - [/] in progress, this task is partially complete
    - [ ] open, this task is outstanding
    - [<] blocked, this task needs more input

More detail to be found:

• The basics of task formatting
• Prioritisation
• Deadlines
• Annotations
• whatnext usage and arguments
• The .whatnext file

The reason

I like to keep tasks in Markdown files. That way they can be interspersed within instructions, serving as reminders, FIXMEs, and other todos.