Manage Things 3 via the `things` CLI on macOS (add/update projects+todos via URL scheme; read/search/list from the local Things database). Use when a user asks Moltbot to add a task to Things, list inbox/today/upcoming, search tasks, or inspect projects/areas/tags.
Quick Install
bunx add-skill clawdbot/clawdbot -s things-mac
aiassistantcrustaceanmoltyopenclawown-your-data
Instructions
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Things 3 CLI
Use things to read your local Things database (inbox/today/search/projects/areas/tags) and to add/update todos via the Things URL scheme.
Setup
Install (recommended, Apple Silicon): GOBIN=/opt/homebrew/bin go install github.com/ossianhempel/things3-cli/cmd/things@latest
If DB reads fail: grant Full Disk Access to the calling app (Terminal for manual runs; Moltbot.app for gateway runs).
Optional: set THINGSDB (or pass --db) to point at your ThingsData-* folder.
Optional: set THINGS_AUTH_TOKEN to avoid passing --auth-token for update ops.
Read-only (DB)
things inbox --limit 50
things today
things upcoming
things search "query"
things projects / things areas / things tags
Write (URL scheme)
Prefer safe preview: things --dry-run add "Title"
Add: things add "Title" --notes "..." --when today --deadline 2026-01-02
Bring Things to front: things --foreground add "Title"
Examples: add a todo
Basic: things add "Buy milk"
With notes: things add "Buy milk" --notes "2% + bananas"
Into a project/area: things add "Book flights" --list "Travel"
Into a project heading: things add "Pack charger" --list "Travel" --heading "Before"
With tags: things add "Call dentist" --tags "health,phone"
Checklist: things add "Trip prep" --checklist-item "Passport" --checklist-item "Tickets"
From STDIN (multi-line => title + notes):
cat <<'EOF' | things add -
Title line
Notes line 1
Notes line 2
EOF
Examples: modify a todo (needs auth token)
First: get the ID (UUID column): things search "milk" --limit 5
Auth: set THINGS_AUTH_TOKEN or pass --auth-token <TOKEN>
Title: things update --id <UUID> --auth-token <TOKEN> "New title"
Notes replace: things update --id <UUID> --auth-token <TOKEN> --notes "New notes"