# Things Mac

> 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 to add a task to Things, list inbox/today/upcoming, search tasks, or inspect projects/areas/tags.

- Skill: `zhizhunbao/things-mac` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add zhizhunbao/things-mac`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/zhizhunbao/things-mac/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Author: zhizhunbao (https://skillmd.com/u/zhizhunbao)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/zhizhunbao/things-mac

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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: `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.
- 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`
- With tags: `things add "Call dentist" --tags "health,phone"`
- Checklist: `things add "Trip prep" --checklist-item "Passport" --checklist-item "Tickets"`

Modify (needs auth token)
- Get ID: `things search "milk" --limit 5`
- Title: `things update --id <UUID> --auth-token <TOKEN> "New title"`
- Complete: `things update --id <UUID> --auth-token <TOKEN> --completed`

Notes
- macOS-only.
- `--dry-run` prints the URL and does not open Things.