# Show HN: RazTodo, a local-first task manager for developers

> Source: <https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo>
> Published: 2026-08-04 13:02:30+00:00

**A local-first task manager for developers with a native CLI, optional Web UI, and local AI assistance powered by Ollama.**

**CLI**

*Local AI assistance powered by Ollama*

**Web UI**

*CLI + optional Web UI powered by FastAPI*

Most task managers are either web-first, cloud-dependent, or tied to a single interface. RazTodo keeps everything local while letting you manage the same tasks from a native CLI or an optional Web UI.

- 💻 Native CLI built for daily terminal workflows
- 🌐 Optional Web UI backed by the same local database
- 🤖 Local AI assistance powered by Ollama
- 🗄️ Single SQLite database shared across all interfaces
- 🔒 No cloud services, accounts, or telemetry
- ⚡ Fast startup with zero background services

```
CLI ─┐
     ├── Core Engine ─── SQLite
Web ─┘
```

Both the CLI and Web UI use the same core engine and SQLite database, so every interface stays synchronized automatically.

The architecture follows three design principles:

**Separation of concerns** core logic is independent of the user interface.**Local-first storage** all data stays on your machine.**Composable interfaces** use only the interfaces you need.

```
# Add a task
rt add "Prepare weekly groceries" --priority H --due 2026-12-31

# List all tasks
rt list

# Mark as done
rt done 1

# Search
rt search "groceries"

# Update
rt update 1 --title "Weekly groceries: milk, vegetables, essentials"

# Delete
rt remove 1
```

Start the server:

```
rt-web
```

Then open `http://127.0.0.1:8000`

.

Note

Runs locally only (not exposed to the internet) Single-user design with no authentication layer CLI and Web UI share one SQLite database (real-time sync) Local-first architecture optimized for personal use Built with FastAPI + lightweight static frontend AI-powered task explanations (Summary / Deep Analysis / Action Plan) via Ollama

```
# Requires raztodo[completion]
eval "$(rt completion bash)"
```

Supports bash, zsh, and fish. For permanent setup see the [Completion Guide](https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo/blob/master/docs/COMPLETION.md).

RazTodo integrates with Ollama to provide optional local AI assistance for your tasks. Every explanation runs locally using your own LLM, keeping your data private.

Available explanation modes:

`--short`

— concise summary of the task`--plan`

— actionable step-by-step plan`--deep`

— detailed analysis and recommendations

Example:

```
rt explain 1 --short
rt explain 1 --plan
rt explain 1 --deep
```

Note

Requires Ollama with a compatible local model. All AI processing is performed locally.

📖 See the [Explain Guide](https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo/blob/master/docs/EXPLAIN.md) for installation, configuration, supported models, and usage examples.

```
# Recommended (pipx)
pipx install raztodo

# No-install (uv)
uvx --from raztodo rt

# Standard install
pip install raztodo

# Web UI (optional)
pip install "raztodo[web]"

# Shell completion (optional)
pip install "raztodo[completion]"

# Everything (web + completion)
pip install "raztodo[all]"
```

For virtual environment and source installation, see the [Installation Guide](https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo/blob/master/docs/INSTALLATION.md).

| Command | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
`add` |
Create a new task | `rt add "Task" --priority H` |
`list` |
List tasks with filters | `rt list --pending --priority H` |
`update` |
Update a task | `rt update 1 --title "New title"` |
`done` |
Toggle task done/undone | `rt done 1` |
`remove` |
Delete a task | `rt remove 1` |
`search` |
Search tasks by keyword | `rt search "keyword"` |
`export` |
Export tasks to JSON | `rt export backup.json` |
`import` |
Import tasks from JSON | `rt import backup.json` |
`migrate` |
Run database migrations | `rt migrate` |
`clear` |
Delete all tasks | `rt clear --confirm` |
`completion` |
Output shell completion script | `rt completion bash` |
`explain` |
Get an AI explanation of a task | `rt explain 1 --plan` |

```
rt --help
rt add --help
```

📖 See the [Usage Guide](https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo/blob/master/docs/USAGE.md) for full command documentation.

| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
`RAZTODO_DB` |
Database filename or path | `tasks.db` |
`LOG_LEVEL` |
Logging level | `ERROR` |

```
export RAZTODO_DB="/path/to/custom.db"
export LOG_LEVEL="DEBUG"
```

Tip

📖 See the [Configuration Guide](https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo/blob/master/docs/CONFIGURATION.md)

```
docker build -t raztodo:local .
docker run --rm -it -v "$HOME/raztodo-data:/data" raztodo:local add "My first task"
```

Note

kept CLI-only to minimize image size and dependencies

Tip

📖 See the [Docker Guide](https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo/blob/master/docs/DOCKER.md)

**Core:**

**Advanced:**

- ⌨️
[Completion Guide](https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo/blob/master/docs/COMPLETION.md) - 🐳
[Docker Guide](https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo/blob/master/docs/DOCKER.md) - 🏗️
[Architecture](https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo/blob/master/docs/ARCHITECTURE.md) - 🧪
[Testing](https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo/blob/master/docs/TESTING.md) - 📝
[Changelog](https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md)

RazTodo is part of the [RazBuild](https://github.com/razbuild) ecosystem of open-source developer tools.

[RazTint](https://github.com/razbuild/raztint)Zero-dependency ANSI colors, icons, and terminal formatting utilities powering RazTodo's CLI output.

We welcome bug reports, feature requests, and pull requests.

```
git clone https://github.com/razbuild/raztodo
cd raztodo
uv sync
uv run pytest
uv run ruff check src/ tests/
uv run ruff format src/ tests/
uv run ty check src/
```

- Create feature branch
- Implement changes
- Ensure tests pass
- Submit PR

See the [CONTRIBUTING](https://github.com/razbuild/.github/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) guide for details.