Getting Started
This guide takes you through your first workflow in Colonnes. You will activate the app, create a document, organize and schedule tasks, then execute them in a Local Stack.
1. Activate your license
When you launch Colonnes for the first time, the Activate Your License screen appears.
Enter the license key you received by email, choose your optional preferences, then click Activate License. Once the license is validated, Colonnes opens the Documents screen.
2. Create your first document
On the Documents screen, click New Document. Choose a name and location for the file, then save it.
If another document is already open, open the application menu at the bottom left and select New Document.
Colonnes saves every change automatically. Your document is stored as a local file on your computer, so choose a location that is included in your backup routine.
3. Create your first task
A new document already contains a Home space. It is the default space for your active projects and tasks, so you do not need to create another space before getting started.
In Columns view, click Create a new item at the bottom of the first column. Type the text of your task, then press Escape to return to Selection mode.
Your task is saved automatically.
4. Show Calendar view
In the toolbar at the bottom of the app, click Calendar. Keep Columns enabled so both views are visible at the same time.
Columns appears above Calendar. You can now organize tasks in Columns and schedule them in Calendar without switching screens.
5. Schedule your task with drag and drop
Drag your task from Columns and drop it into the day when you want to execute it.
The task is not moved out of your Home space. It keeps its position in Columns and also appears in Calendar with the selected execution date. Changes to the task remain synchronized between both views.
6. Create another task directly in Calendar
Choose a day in Calendar and click Create a new item at the bottom of that day column. Type your second task, then press Escape to return to Selection mode.
This task is created directly in Calendar and does not yet have a position in Columns. If you later want to add it to your hierarchy, drag it from Calendar into a column.
7. Launch a Local Stack
In the header of the Calendar day containing your tasks, click the menu button with the three dots, then select Launch Stack.
In the Stack configuration:
- Set Mode to Local.
- Set What to Execute to Column to include the tasks from that day.
- Choose any Stack and timer options you want.
- Click Launch Stack.
- When the Local Stack is ready, click Start.
Colonnes switches to a compact overlay window that stays on top of your other applications. It displays one task at a time and lets you complete it or move to the next one.
You have now completed the basic Colonnes workflow: organize a task, schedule it, create a calendar-only task, and execute both in a focused Local Stack.