How to capture tasks by voice in Focal

Say the task in your own words

Describe what needs doing naturally. For example, Focal gives “Book the venue after we finalize the guest list” as a task that includes a dependency. Its voice capture feature turns your words into structured tasks with dates, dependencies, and context.

You can capture tasks on iOS, Android, in a web browser, or inside ChatGPT. The same task-management idea applies across those places: describe the work and any order it needs to follow.

Include the order between tasks

When one task must happen before another, say that relationship as part of the task. Focal understands dependencies, such as finishing a design before starting development. This helps keep the order of work visible without setting up tags, according to Focal’s description of how it works.

For another example of why order matters, see tasks you can actually start.

Work from the tasks ready now

Focal’s Active Tasks view shows tasks that are ready to start and filters out work waiting on something else. That gives you a shorter list to act on instead of the full set of tasks at once.

As you finish a task that blocks another, the next task can appear automatically. Focal also says it sends a gentle notification when a blocked task becomes ready. This keeps the list organized around what you can start now.

Keep task capture close to your day

Focal is available on iOS, Android, web, and ChatGPT. You can capture a task where you are and find it organized in Focal. The Starter plan includes text and voice capture, with a limit of 5 captures per day. The Pro plan includes unlimited voice captures and the ChatGPT app.

Keep reference reading separate from your task list when it is useful. KnowMan saves articles and links, searches them by meaning, answers questions with citations, and keeps memories. For turning saved reading into next actions, see Turn saved reading into next actions.

Start with one clear next action

Begin with the task you want to capture. Say what needs doing and include a dependency when another task must come first. Then use Active Tasks to see what is ready to start and let the list show work as blockers clear.

Focal offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. Its Starter plan includes iOS, Android, and web access; Pro includes the ChatGPT app.

Frequently asked questions