ToBeDo: Turn Messages Into Checklists

A shopping list in notes, tasks in a chat with yourself, a renovation plan in voice messages. Sound familiar? ToBeDo collects all that in one place: you write a message, and the bot turns every line into an item with a checkbox. ✅

What it looks like

Telegram has no built-in checkboxes. So the bot replies with a keyboard where each list item is its own button. Mark a task done, and a checkmark appears next to it.

The list stays right in the conversation, and you tap items instead of opening a separate app. 🛒

Two ways to work

• Direct messages. Write to the bot, and it turns your text into a clickable checklist. Good for personal tasks.
• Group or channel. Create a separate chat, add the bot as an administrator, and it reads messages and builds lists. Lists can be shared here.

For shared tasks with other people, create a separate group and invite the bot and the members. Everyone sees the list, and each person ticks off their part. 👨‍👩‍👧

Commands

There are three:

• /start starts the bot.
• /only_todo turns on the mode where only messages marked todo become lists.
• /all turns on the mode where any message becomes a checklist.

The /all mode is handy in a private chat, while /only_todo saves a group with regular conversation. 💬

Editing keeps your checks

Edit the original message, and the bot updates its reply. It tries to keep the checked state of every item except the one you changed.

This matters for long lists: you can add milk to the end instead of starting over.

What to put in there

1. Shopping lists for a family group.
2. A renovation plan by room, each room in its own group.
3. Weekly tasks for a small team.
4. Packing for a trip with a shared checklist.
5. Study deadlines for friends in the same course.

Split topics across groups: renovation in one, food in another. That way lists do not mix. 🧰

Open source and trust

The bot was made by a development team, and its source code is open. That means you can study how it works, copy the project and run your own version. You need your own bot token and a container with the app.

Most people will not need that, but it is nice to know your to-do list is not tied to a closed service. 🔓

What to watch for

To read messages in a group, the bot needs administrator rights. Grant them only in groups where you are fine with the bot seeing the conversation.

Do not keep passwords or other secrets in checklists: the list lives in an ordinary chat.