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Things Mac

Community
bighardperson
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.

Overview

Publisherbighardperson
Repositorycomputer-science-skills-collection
Skill namethings-mac
Stars
66
Forks
10
Bundled files
1
Links
  • Markdown instructions

    A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.

  • Works with any LLM

    AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.

  • 1 bundled files

    Scripts, templates, and references the model can read while it works. Files are read-only and never executed.

  • Open source

    Published by bighardperson on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Things Mac AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

1

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

  1. Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
  2. Choose "Install from GitHub".
  3. Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
    https://github.com/bighardperson/computer-science-skills-collection/tree/main/skills/Things任务
  4. Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.
Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Things Mac in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Things Mac on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Things Mac is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

  • Loaded only when it is needed

    The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.

  • Switch models mid-chat

    Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

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.

Bundled files

The model reads these on demand while the skill is loaded. They are exposed as readable files and are never executed.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Things Mac AI skill do?

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.

Why use Things Mac on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Things Mac is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Things Mac in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/bighardperson/computer-science-skills-collection/tree/main/skills/Things任务. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and bundles its files and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Things Mac?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Things Mac?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Things Mac with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Things Mac AI skill free?

It is published on GitHub by bighardperson. Check the repository for licensing terms. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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