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5 ways to automate Things with Zapier

By Daniel Kenitz · October 31, 2023
A hero image of the Things app logo connected to other app logos on a light blue background.

What do you have to accomplish today? Maybe you're so disorganized you barely know what's on the agenda. You just know you have to tackle a bunch of things. Enter Things, a to-do app capable of turning your everyday planner into a productivity powerhouse. With Things, you can track all of those mundane tasks you might have otherwise forgotten, prioritize what needs to get done first, and route it all through your iOS/Mac setup to sync across every device.

The challenge? Sometimes, an item or two may get missed—especially if you're listing tasks across your entire team. That's where Zapier can fill in the gaps. 

With Zapier's automated workflows—called Zaps—you can connect Things with your business-critical tools so you never miss a to-do. Here's how.

New to Zapier? It's workflow automation software that lets you focus on what matters. Combine user interfaces, data tables, and logic with thousands of apps to build and automate anything you can imagine. Sign up for free to use this app, and thousands more, with Zapier.

Table of contents

To get started with a Zap template—what we call our pre-made workflows—just click on the button. It only takes a few minutes to set up. You can read more about setting up Zaps here.

Create Things to-dos from team chat

If you have an entire team sharing a to-do list, wrangling your daily accomplishments into a unified list can feel a bit like herding cats. Slack can work wonders here. With Slack, you can not only use instant messaging to stay in touch with remote colleagues, but you can designate specific channels for unique or recurring tasks.

How does Things fit in? By closing the distance between your Slack channels and the Things to-do list you have open in another device. Use Zapier to link Slack triggers (like a new emoji reaction, pushed Slack message, or new saved message) with your Things to-do list. Or create a channel specifically for to-do reminders that keep your team on task.

Suddenly, a colleague's reminder is more than a reminder; Zapier imports it as a new to-do item within Things. Rather than simply talking about what you should do, integrating Zapier between Slack and Things prevents reminders from slipping through the cracks. This arrangement will turn your "coulda, woulda, shoulda" into "done and done."

Add saved Slack messages to Things as to-dos

  • Slack logo
  • Things logo
Slack + Things
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    When your team is busy collaborating in Slack, you might find a couple to-do items that need your attention at a later time. Set up this Slack-Things integration and whenever a new message is saved in Slack, Zapier will automatically add a new to-do in your Things inbox.

    Create to-dos in Things from new pushed messages in Slack

    • Slack logo
    • Things logo
    Slack + Things
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      Don't break your flow, use this handy automation to create to-dos from Slack on the fly. After you set up this integration, click on the 3 dots next to any Slack message and select, "Push to Zapier" to add that message as a to-do in Things to tackle later.

      Create Things to-dos for new Slack messages posted to a channel

      • Slack logo
      • Things logo
      Slack + Things
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        When you have task info in your messaging tool, you'll want the details added to your task tool. This integration helps by taking new messages posted to a specific Slack channel and automatically creating them as to-do's in Things. You won't have to copy and paste messages to update your tasks again.

        Create Things to-dos for new Slack messages posted to private channels

        • Slack logo
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        Slack + Things
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          When there are messages in certain channels, you'll want the details added to your task tool. This integration helps by automatically creating a to-do in Things with details of a new Slack message posted to specified private channel. You won't have to manually create to-dos for your messages again.

          Create a to-do in Things from Slack reactions

          • Slack logo
          • Things logo
          Slack + Things
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            When your team is busy collaborating in Slack, you might find a couple of to-do items that need your attention at a later time. With this integration, Zapier will automatically create a to-do in Things whenever you add a specific emoji reaction (reactji) to a Slack message.

            Share to-dos across task and project management tools

            Managing several productivity tools at once? It can get downright discombobulating. The solution is to connect your tools with automation so you only have to enter a task once, even if you need to list it across multiple apps.

            Does your team manage tasks in a different to-do list than you? Automatically send new tasks to your Things to-do list so you don't lose sight of your responsibilities:

            Create to-dos in Things from new Notion database items

            • Notion logo
            • Things logo
            Notion + Things
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              Activate this Zap to keep all of your tasks updated, without needing to leave your database. As soon as an item is generated in Notion, this Zap automatically creates a to-do in your Things account.

              Add new Trello cards to Things as to-dos

              • Trello logo
              • Things logo
              Trello + Things
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                When working with your team on a project, it can be difficult to keep up with your pending to-dos. Once activated, this Zapier integration will help you keep track by automatically adding new to-dos to your Things inbox whenever new cards are created in Trello.

                Create to-dos in Things from new Google Tasks

                • Google Tasks logo
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                  Got a lot on your hands? We can help make things less overwhelming for you with this integration. After set up, new Google Tasks will generate to-dos in Things. Everything you need done, on both the platforms you use.

                  Create Things to-do's for new incomplete tasks in Todoist

                  • Todoist logo
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                  Todoist + Things
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                    Sometimes you need extra help completing project tasks. Zapier brings the reinforcement you need by creating to-do's in Things when you have new incomplete tasks in Todoist. Now you'll have the extra help you need to tie up the loose ends on your projects.

                    Create Things to-dos for new tasks in Microsoft To-Do

                    • Microsoft To Do logo
                    • Things logo
                    Microsoft To Do + Things
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                      When you have new tasks, you may want the details added to your personal task tool. This integration helps by automatically creating a to-do in Things when there is a new task in Microsoft To-Do. It's never been easier to coordinate your task tools.

                      Create new Things to-dos when Any.do Personal tasks are added

                      • Any.do Personal logo
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                      Any.do Personal + Things
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                        Effortlessly stay on top of your tasks with this seamless workflow between Any.do Personal and Things app. When a new task is added in Any.do Personal, it will effortlessly create a corresponding To-Do in your Things app, ensuring you never miss a beat. Keep your tasks organized and up-to-date with this simple yet powerful automation.

                        Or do other teams manage cross-functional projects in a project or product management tool, but you like to keep all your personal tasks streamlined in Things? Connect the two for easy task management.

                        Create to-dos in Things for new Asana tasks in projects

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                        • Things logo
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                          Once this integration is in place, you’ll be able to keep your follow-up tasks up to date, effortlessly. When a new task is generated in your Asana project, this Zap automatically adds it as a to-do in Things.

                          Create Things to-dos from new ClickUp tasks

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                          ClickUp + Things
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                            Effortlessly stay organized with this simple automation between ClickUp and Things. When a new task is created in ClickUp, this workflow will also create a to-do in the Things app, ensuring you never miss a task. Keep your to-do lists up-to-date and streamline your productivity with this handy integration.

                            Create to-dos in Things for new monday.com board items

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                            • Things logo
                            monday.com + Things
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                              Stay on top of your tasks with this efficient workflow that connects monday.com and Things. Whenever a new item is added to a board in monday.com, a corresponding To-Do will be created in the Things app. This seamless integration ensures you never miss an important task and helps you maintain focus on completing your projects on time.

                              Add new Github issues as to-dos in Things

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                              GitHub + Things
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                                Does your team use GitHub to report technical issues identified with your product? Wouldn't it be great if you could keep track of them on your to-do app? With this GitHub-Things integration activated, Zapier will automatically add new GitHub issues to Things as to-dos in your inbox so you can stay organized.

                                Add new Jira issues to Things as to-dos

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                                Jira Software Server + Things
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                                  Want to keep track of issues reported on Jira in your to-do app? Set up this Jira-Things integration and Zapier will automatically add a new to-do in your Things inbox whenever a new issue is created in Jira.

                                  Turn emails into tasks

                                  There's no controlling it: When some emails show up in your inbox, they're essentially homework assignments. They're asking a question, and the only way to get the email out of your inbox in a responsible way is to follow up with them. You don't always have to tackle these right away. But if you don't have a system for converting tasks into quick reminders for yourself, you run the risk of essential emails falling through the cracks.

                                  The trouble with those systems is they can sometimes be too cumbersome. You're switching devices, browsers, tabs, logins, password managers—it gets to be too much.Tie certain triggers within Gmail (like starring an email or labeling an email) to create to-do items within Things, and you'll import these follow-ups into your schedule automatically.

                                  Create Things to-dos from starred emails in Gmail [Business Gmail Accounts Only]

                                  • Gmail logo
                                  • Things logo
                                  Gmail + Things
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                                    When working through your email inbox, you might find follow-up tasks that need your attention. Use this Zapier integration to automatically create a new to-do in your Things inbox whenever a new email in your Gmail inbox is starred.

                                    Label new Gmail emails to create Things to-dos [Business Gmail Accounts Only]

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                                    • Things logo
                                    Gmail + Things
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                                      Need an easy way to create follow up tasks directly from your email inbox? Set up this Gmail-Things integration, and Zapier will automatically create a new to-do in your Things inbox whenever a new email is labeled in Gmail.

                                      Add forwarded emails to Things as to-dos

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                                      Email by Zapier + Things
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                                        Looking for a quick way to add emails to your to-do app? Set up a free

                                        Create Things to-dos from calendar events

                                        It can get tempting to use Things as nothing but a personal to-do list. It's effective, after all—and it's a great way to sync your personal assignments into one viewable dashboard. But not every task is going to come from you. You're eventually going to have (gasp!) a meeting.

                                        To stay on task with your meetings and calendar events, you can merge tools like Google Calendar with Things via Zapier. That way, you can easily remember important meeting action items like creating an agenda or sending follow-up notes every time.

                                        Create Things to-dos for new Google Calendar events

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                                        • Things logo
                                        Google Calendar + Things
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                                          When you add events to your calendar, you may also need the details passed to your task tool for follow up. This integration helps by automatically creating a to-do in Things with the details from a new Google Calendar event. It's never been easier to coordinate your tasks for your events.

                                          Create to-dos in Things for new or updated events in Google Calendar

                                          • Google Calendar logo
                                          • Things logo
                                          Google Calendar + Things
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                                            Stay on top of your schedule and tasks with this Google Calendar to Things workflow. Whenever a new or updated event occurs in Google Calendar, a corresponding to-do item will be created in the Things app. This automation helps you manage your time and responsibilities efficiently, ensuring you never miss an important event or task.

                                            Create to-dos in Things for new Google Calendar events matching search criteria

                                            • Google Calendar logo
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                                            Google Calendar + Things
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                                              Stay on top of your tasks with this seamless workflow between Google Calendar and Things. When a new event matches your search criteria in Google Calendar, a to-do item will be created in your Things app. This way, you can effectively manage your schedule, ensuring you never miss important events or deadlines.

                                              Create to-dos in Things from new Microsoft Outlook calendar events

                                              • Microsoft Outlook logo
                                              • Things logo
                                              Microsoft Outlook + Things
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                                                Stay organized and efficient by connecting Microsoft Outlook and Things. With this workflow, whenever you add a new event to your Microsoft Outlook calendar, a corresponding to-do item will be created in the Things app, ensuring you never miss an important task or deadline. This seamless integration saves you time and helps keep both your calendar and to-do list up-to-date.

                                                Capture new to-dos with your smart speaker or AI

                                                Let's say you're stuck at home. No pen and a pad. No phone to email yourself a reminder. Not even a clean napkin to write on. How do you capture your crucial to-do reminders so you don't forget a moment of inspiration? Use AI and smart speakers to capture those to-do items and feed them in your Things to-do list. 

                                                Working with Amazon's Alexa, you can designate a trigger phrase to filter the appropriate to-do item into your Things dashboard. 

                                                Create new to-dos in Things when phrases are spoken in Amazon Alexa

                                                • Amazon Alexa logo
                                                • Things logo
                                                Amazon Alexa + Things
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                                                  When you speak a trigger phrase to Amazon Alexa, this workflow steps in to add a new task to your Things app without any additional effort on your part. It's a seamless way to ensure that everything you need to do gets logged in a timely manner. No more forgetting to jot down tasks—just speak, and the task is logged in Things for you. Make the most of your smart speaker and stay organized effortlessly.

                                                  If you're back at your phone and no longer looking for a napkin to write on, you might still be in a hurry to get your brainstorms into Thing. And you may not have that kind of time. The solution? Introduce an AI intermediary. Hook Zapier between Gmail, OpenAI, and Things, and let OpenAI translate your email into notes that will give you a more detailed action item.

                                                  Create to-dos in Thing with OpenAI responses to new starred emails in Gmail

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                                                  • OpenAI (GPT-4, DALL-E, Whisper) logo
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                                                  Gmail + OpenAI (GPT-4, DALL-E, Whisper) + Things
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                                                    Looking to manage your to-do list more efficiently? This Zap can help. Once active, this integration automatically captures AI-generated summaries, reminders, and other content in the form of OpenAI's responses to new starred emails in Gmail. The response is then added to to-dos in your Thing account, prepping your follow-up workflows effortlessly.

                                                    Stay on top of Things

                                                    Your to-do list is absolutely essential. Without it, you can forget all the little tasks piling up in your calendar. But unless you build a system for your to-do list—ensuring nothing falls through the cracks—you'll always leave yourself vulnerable to those "did you forget this?" emails. With automation, you'll never have to worry about those anymore.

                                                    This is just the start of what you can do with Things and Zapier. What will you automate first?

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