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GTD contexts explained

What contexts are in Getting Things Done, examples that work today, and how to set up your own.

In Getting Things Done, a context is the tool, place or person you need to do an action. Instead of one long to-do list, you group next actions by context, so at any moment you only see what you can actually do where you are.

Sitting at your computer? Look at @computer. Running errands? @errands shows everything to pick up on the way. The rest stays out of sight until you're somewhere it's possible.

Classic GTD contexts

David Allen's original contexts are still a good starting point:

@home: things you can only do at home.
@work or @office: things that need your workplace.
@computer: anything that needs a computer.
@phone or @calls: calls to make, wherever you are.
@errands: things to do or pick up while you're out.
@anywhere: things you can do with nothing special, like thinking something through.

Contexts for how we work now

When you carry a computer and phone everywhere, "@computer" can stop meaning much. Many people add or swap in contexts like these:

People (agendas): @sam, @team. Things to raise next time you speak. Check it before every meeting or call.
Energy: @deep-focus for hard thinking, @low-energy for easy tasks at the end of the day.
Time: @15-minutes for quick wins between meetings.
Waiting on the internet or a place: @online, @store, @town.

How to set up contexts that work

Start with five to eight. Too many and you'll spend more time sorting than doing.
Every context should change what you can do. If two contexts always mean the same place, merge them.
Give each next action one context: the one you'd be in when you'd actually do it.
Review them in your weekly review. Drop contexts you never look at; add ones you keep wishing you had.

In Satori: type a context straight into a new to-do, like Call Bob about the lease @phone, and it's tagged automatically. Next Actions groups everything by context, and you can add or remove contexts in Settings.

Common questions

How many GTD contexts should I have?

Start with five to eight. You need enough that each list is short and relevant, but few enough that choosing one is instant.

Can a next action have more than one context?

In classic GTD each action has one context: where you'd actually do it. If you're torn, pick the most restrictive one.

Are contexts still useful if I'm always at my computer?

Yes, but shift them from places to people, energy and time, like @deep-focus, @15-minutes or an agenda for each person you work with.

Satori is a free, keyboard-first Getting Things Done app for Mac, built around exactly this.

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More guides: How to do a GTD weekly review