Tasks and deadlines

In Buffy, a task is an activity with an outcome and usually a due date. Unlike a habit or routine (which repeat on a schedule), a task is something you do once—or until it’s done—and the system can remind you as the deadline approaches and surface it in your daily briefing.

How tasks fit the Activity model

• Task: One-off (or “do until done”) with a clear outcome and often a due date (e.g. “Ship weekly report by Friday 4pm,” “Call back by tomorrow”).
• Same behavior core as habits and routines: one history, one reminder engine, one daily view. So “what’s due today?” and “what habits are in their window?” come from the same place.

You can create tasks in ChatGPT, in the app, or (for builders) via the API. Once created, they appear in your activity list and in the daily briefing.

Due dates and reminders

• When you set a due date, Buffy can remind you as the date approaches (e.g. the day before or the morning of, depending on how you or the agent configured it).
• Reminders use the same pattern as habits and routines: one nudge, clear “done / snooze / skip,” and the result is logged so the system can adapt (e.g. “you often complete tasks the morning they’re due”).

So tasks aren’t “just a list”—they’re activities with schedule and history, which is why they show up in briefings and follow-ups.

Daily briefing and follow-ups

• Daily briefing: A short summary of what’s on today. It includes:

  • Habits and routines in their time windows
  • Tasks with due dates today (or overdue)
  • Optional context from memory (e.g. what slipped yesterday)

• Follow-ups: If you snooze or skip a task reminder, the system records it. Follow-up logic (e.g. “remind again near end of day” or “include in tomorrow’s briefing”) uses that history so you don’t get spammed and still see what’s due.

So “tasks and deadlines” in Buffy means: create a task, set a due date, get reminded in your chosen channel, and see it in the daily briefing until it’s done or rescheduled.

Good practices

• One outcome per task: “Ship report by Friday” is clearer than “reports.” The system and you both know when it’s done.
• Use due dates: Tasks without due dates don’t get deadline-based reminders or a clear place in the briefing. Add a date (and optionally time) so Buffy can nudge you.
• Combine with habits and routines: Your day can mix tasks (one-offs) and habits/routines (repeating). The same briefing shows all of them so you have one view of “what today looks like.”

If something goes wrong

• My task doesn't show in the daily briefing? Confirm the task has a due date set. Tasks without a date don't get a clear slot in the briefing. In the Buffy dashboard, open your activities and check the task's date.
• I'm not reminded before the deadline? Ensure Telegram or Slack is connected in the Buffy dashboard (Account or Settings). Reminders use your chosen channel; if none is connected, you may only see the task when you open the dashboard or ask for a briefing.

Further reading

• Core concepts — activities, channels, memory, reminders.
• Quickstart with ChatGPT — create your first routine and see the briefing.
• Overview: What is Buffy Agent?
• Blog: How to Get Started With Buffy Agent in 5 Minutes