Things 3 Extended

Things 3 Extended MCP Server - DXT Extension

A comprehensive Desktop Extension (DXT) for Things 3 task management integration with enhanced capabilities including task movement, editing, and backup functionality.

- view_inbox- View all tasks in Things 3 inbox
- view_today- View all tasks scheduled for today
- view_projects- View all projects in Things 3
- view_areas- View all areas in Things 3

- create_task- Create new tasks with full metadata (notes, dates, tags, checklists)
- create_project- Create new projects with areas and scheduling
- create_area- Create new organizational areas

- move_task_to_inbox- Move tasks from today/other lists back to inbox
- move_task_to_today- Schedule inbox tasks for today
- move_task_to_project- Assign tasks to specific projects
- move_task_to_area- Move tasks to specific areas

- edit_task- Modify existing task properties (title, notes, dates, tags)
- edit_project- Update project details and metadata

- search_tasks- Search tasks by title or content
- complete_task- Mark tasks as completed

- backup_things3- Create comprehensive backup of all Things 3 data
- restore_things3- Load backup data (analysis and reference)

- macOS(required for Things 3)
- Things 3application installed
- Node.js18.0.0 or higher
- DXT-compatible host(Claude Desktop, etc.)

Since DXT CLI is not yet publicly available, create the package manually:

# Create DXT package (ZIP format) zip -r things3-mcp-dxt-extension-v1.0.0.dxt . -x ".git" ".DS_Store" ".dxt" ".claude/" "reddit_post.md"

Important:Exclude.claude/directory to avoid installation errors in Claude Desktop.

Add the extension to your MCP-compatible host's configuration:

{ "mcpServers": { "things3-extended": { "command": "node", "args": ["/path/to/extension/server/index.js"] } } }

// View what's in your inbox await callTool("view_inbox"); // Create a new task await callTool("create_task", { title: "Review quarterly reports", notes: "Focus on sales and marketing metrics", when: "today", tags: "work,review" }); // Move task from today to a specific project await callTool("move_task_to_project", { title: "Review quarterly reports", project: "Q4 Planning" }); // Edit the task to add a deadline await callTool("edit_task", { current_title: "Review quarterly reports", deadline: "2024-12-31" });

// Create backup await callTool("backup_things3", { backup_path: "/Users/username/Desktop/things3_backup.json" }); // Analyze backup contents await callTool("restore_things3", { backup_path: "/Users/username/Desktop/things3_backup.json" });

- MCP Protocol: Uses@modelcontextprotocol/sdkfor communication
- AppleScript Integration: Direct interaction with Things 3 via AppleScript
- URL Schemes: Leverages Things 3 URL schemes for creation operations
- Error Handling: Comprehensive timeout and error management

- Input sanitization for AppleScript injection prevention
- URL encoding for special characters
- Timeout protection (10 second limit)
- Safe string escaping

- Async operations throughout
- Efficient AppleScript execution
- JSON parsing with fallback defaults
- Memory-efficient data handling

{ title: string, // Required notes: string, // Optional when: string, // Optional - "today", "tomorrow", "2024-12-31" deadline: string, // Optional - Date string tags: string, // Optional - Comma-separated list: string, // Optional - Project/area name checklist: string // Optional - Checklist items }

{ timestamp: "2024-12-01T10:00:00Z", version: "1.0.0", data: { inbox: [...], // Array of inbox tasks today: [...], // Array of today's tasks projects: [...], // Array of projects areas: [...] // Array of areas } }

- Ensure Things 3 is running
- Check macOS permissions for AppleScript

- Search uses partial matching
- Check exact task titles
- Tasks may be in different lists

- Verify file path permissions
- Ensure sufficient disk space
- Check JSON syntax in backup files

SetNODE_ENV=developmentfor detailed logging:

NODE_ENV=development node server/index.js

MIT License - See LICENSE file for details.

GitHub:https://github.com/upup666/things3-mcp-dxt-extension

Report issues at:https://github.com/upup666/things3-mcp-dxt-extension/issues

19-tool MCP server for a full-featured iOS task manager. Standalone local mode (13 tools) or pair with iOS app for task sync, inbox, AI prompt config, and provider management across Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, OpenClaw and other MCP clients.