Click on the week number

WeekView

By clicking on the week number at the top of the screen, you can quickly jump to a specific week.

Use X keyboard shortcut to open the sidebar

WeekView

You can open the planning sidebar by pressing the X key on your keyboard.

Advanced filter for tasks scheduled this week

WeekView

When creating a smart list, you can use +thisWeek to select items scheduled for this week.

Don't create too many main categories

MasterList

Only create main categories that actually regularly have tasks and/or projects inside of them.

Make your Master List fun by adding colors to categories

MasterList

You can add colors to categories by clicking on the category icon and then on Choose Color.

Have too many tasks & projects? Use Backburner!

MasterList

If you have too many open tasks and projects, consider using the Backburner strategy to store tasks and projects that you're not actively working on. This can help you feel less overwhelmed.

Avoid deep nesting

MasterList

Avoid creating too many subcategories. If you have to click more than 3 times to get to a task or project, it's probably too deep.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Strategies

We suggest not enabling too many strategies at once. Better to start with a few and then add more as you get used to them.

Use S keyboard shortcut to open Strategies

Strategies

When you're in the main/day view, you can open the Strategies view by pressing the S key on your keyboard.

Watch the Strategy videos

Strategies

We have created videos for most strategies to help you understand how they work. You can find in the Videos tab when you open a strategy.

Check out the Workflows Library

Strategies

We recommend checking out the workflow library that comes with some setup templates you can enable with one click. This allows you to try different workflows without dealing with setting up the strategies.

Review your planned tasks weekly

ProjectPlanner

At the start of each week, review your planned tasks to ensure they are still relevant. Also check if any previously planned tasks need to be planned again.

Use the Week Scheduler strategy

ProjectPlanner

After you plan tasks for the week, consider using the Week Scheduler strategy to schedule them for specific days.

Creating new tasks in the Project Planner

ProjectPlanner

You can create new tasks directly in Month/Week Planner by clicking on the week or month text above the box.

Try the workflow builder!

WorkflowLibrary

You can use our workflow builder to create your own custom workflows. This can be a great way to experiment with different setups. You can find it here: https://builder.amazingmarvin.com/

Share your snippets!

WorkflowLibrary

Sharing is caring. If you have created a cool workflow snippet, consider sharing it with the community!

Don't try too many new things at once

WorkflowLibrary

In order to reduce the risk of feeling overwhelmed, we recommend trying out new features one at a time.

Use 2FA for extra security

AccountOverview

Enabling two-factor authentication can help protect your account from unauthorized access in case your password gets compromised.

Use the Backups tab for creating backups

AccountOverview

If you'd like to be able to restore your account to a previous state, we recommend using the Backups tab to create backups. CSV files exported from here can't be imported back into Marvin.

Reach out if you need a new importer

AccountOverview

We're always looking to improve our importers. If you need an importer for a specific app, please let us know!

Break down your filters into smaller parts

SmartListOrganizer

Having trouble creating an advanced filter? Try breaking it down into smaller parts and then combining them.

Create alerts from Smart Lists

SmartListOrganizer

By using the Smart List Day Alerts strategy you can be informed when there are any new tasks matching your Smart List filters.

Share your cool Smart Lists

SmartListOrganizer

If you've created an interesting Smart List, consider sharing it with the community!

Use bulk editing to save time

CalendarOverlay

If you need to update multiple events or tasks at once, consider using the bulk editing feature found in the top-right corner.

Click on day header to quickly create an item

CalendarOverlay

By clicking on the day header in the calendar, you can quickly create normal and all-day events, tasks, and projects.

Try changing the display style

CalendarOverlay

In the Calendar strategy settings you can change how items in the calendar are colored (colored line, lightly colored, bright color).

Enable automatic backups

AccountSettings

It's always a good idea to have extra backups. You can enable automatic backups in the Backups tab.

Unlock custom background images by being more productive

AccountSettings

Custom background and sidebar images can be unlocked by using Marvin Kudos strategy and leveling up.

Do a database clean-up from time to time

AccountSettings

Database clean-up can help you keep your account running smoothly by archiving old items. You can read more and start the clean-up by going to the Database Clean-up tab.

Try the Habits strategy

RecurringTaskOrganizer

If you like stats and streaks, consider trying the Habits strategy. It can help you better track your progress and also help Marvin run a bit faster!

Pause your recurring tasks when on vacation

RecurringTaskOrganizer

If you're going on vacation, consider pausing your recurring tasks to avoid having them pile up while you're away.

Reordering recurring items

RecurringTaskOrganizer

To change the default order of your recurring tasks in the Today list, you'll need to reorder them here, in the Recurring Items view.

Saved task groups

SavedItemOrganizer

By selecting multiple tasks and clicking on the Save button in the Bulk Ops menu, you can save them together as a group.

Using saved task/project as template

SavedItemOrganizer

While Fast Add Buttons can make adding tasks faster, saved tasks can be used as templates for more complex tasks.

Click on bars to open the list

ArchiveStats

By clicking on the bars in Task Counts, Marvin will open the list of tasks that belong to that category.

You can also click on day text to open the list

ArchiveStats

Clicking on the day text in Task Counts tab will open the list of tasks completed on that day.

Track tasks and use duration estimates

ArchiveStats

By frequently using duration estimates and time tracking, you can get a better understanding of how long tasks actually take.

Record yesterday

HabitOrganizer

If you forgot to record your habit yesterday, you can still record it by clicking on the habit and then on the "Record yesterday" button. You can also record it for any other day by editing its history.

Resetting habits is OK!

HabitOrganizer

If you're struggling to keep up with a habit, it's OK to reset it. You can do this by clicking on the habit and then on the "Reset" button.

Adding habits to Goals

HabitOrganizer

Want to add habits to your goals? You can do this by clicking on the habit and then on the "Set Goal" button.

Displaying habit metadata

HabitOrganizer

Want to see labels, duration, priority stars, or category assigned to a habit? You can enable this in the Habit strategy settings.

Split goals into phases

Goals

If you have a big goal, consider splitting it into smaller phases. This can help you better track your progress and stay motivated.

Set up realistic expectations

Goals

It's important to set up realistic expectations for your goals. If you're not sure what's realistic, consider starting with one or two hours per week, and increase if needed.

Use Trackers to track your progress

Goals

Besides using tasks and projects for measuring progress, you can also use Trackers. They can help you track things like weight, revenue, or anything else you'd like to track.

You can always open the planning sidebar

DailyTasks

To open the planning sidebar, click on the Show Master List button in vertical buttons menu on the right side of the screen, or press X on your keyboard. You can do this even when done with the day planning

Use the bulk operations menu to quickly edit tasks

DailyTasks

If you need to edit multiple tasks at once, consider using the bulk operations menu. First shift/ctrl click tasks that you want to edit, and the bulk ops menu will appear at the top.

Modifying the main input bar

DailyTasks

If you'd like to change how the main input bar works (for example that it doesn't schedule new tasks for today), or want to hide it, you can do that by going to ☰ → Settings → Layout → Select main input bar.

Vertical buttons menu

DailyTasks

When you move your mouse cursor to the right edge of the screen, a vertical buttons menu will appear. You can use it to hide and display certain elements that appear above the Today list, for example the Day Note, Matrix, Habits, etc.

Category Context

DailyTasks

Use Category Context strategy (☰ → Features/Strategies → Category Context) to see in which category or project the task is stored.