How do I add tasks on my iPhone?

With the “New task” shortcut. Dictate the task with Siri, start the shortcut with the Action Button or take text from the share sheet. The shortcut sends the text through quick add and answers with the number of the new task, for example #128. It needs an access token that may only create tasks. The web app also runs on the iPhone and can be added to your Home Screen.

Set up the "New task" iPhone shortcut

The “New task” shortcut captures a task without opening tasks: through Siri, from another app’s share sheet, from the Home Screen or with the Action Button. It sends one line to tasks and tells you the number of the new task.

1. Create a token

Open tasks and go to Settings → API tokens.
Choose New token, call it iPhone shortcut and pick Write tasks only. A token that can only write cannot read your tasks.
Choose Create token and copy it. It is shown only now.

If you lose the phone, revoke the token on the same page. It stops working with the next request.

2. Get the shortcut

Get the "New task" shortcut

Open this page on your iPhone or Mac and tap the link, or send yourself the file by AirDrop, Mail or Files. Then tap Add Shortcut. The shortcut is signed, so there is nothing to allow in the settings.

3. Enter token and address

While you add it, the shortcut asks for two things:

Token: paste the token that starts with tsk_.
Address: keep this address:

https://app.tasks.squibble.ch/api/v1/quick_add

Shortcuts you add on the Mac reach the iPhone through iCloud.

4. Start it your way

Siri: “Hey Siri, New task”, then dictate the line.
Share sheet: select text in Safari, Mail or Notes, tap Share and pick New task. Turn on Show in Share Sheet in the shortcut’s details first.
Home Screen: Add to Home Screen in the shortcut’s details.
Action Button: in the iPhone settings under Action Button, choose Shortcut and assign New task.

5. Try it

Start the shortcut and dictate, for example:

Call the dentist tomorrow 10:00 $family

A moment later a notification says Task #7 created. The line understands the same quick add syntax as the web app. Without a $workspace the task lands in your inbox.

If it does not work

The notification “Tasks: not created” gives the reason:

Response	Meaning	What to do
401	Token unknown, expired or revoked	Create a new token and replace it in the shortcut
403	The token lacks “Write tasks”	Create a token with the write scope
422	Two `$workspace` or two different `@name` tokens in one line, or the token may not reach your Inbox	Remove one of them, or widen the token to your Inbox
429	Too many requests	Wait a minute

You replace the token in the shortcut’s first Text action: touch and hold the shortcut, then Edit.