The Problem

Most productivity apps suffer from feature creep. They start simple but gradually add calendars, teams, AI assistants, notifications, analytics, and eventually become the very complexity they promised to solve. I was drowning in a 20-item daily to-do list when I found a Reddit thread in r/simpleliving discussing the "three tasks rule."

The Solution

3 Tasks Per Day does exactly what the name suggests. Each day, you choose three tasks that matter most. That's it.

Core features:

1. Plan 3 tasks per day (morning/afternoon/evening) 2. Optional calendar sync with device reminders 3. Task completion with subtle celebration 4. Future planning with calendar view 5. Dark/light themes 6. Privacy-first (no accounts, local storage)

Intentionally missing:

1. Teams/collaboration 2. Complex project management 3. Time tracking 4. Detailed analytics 5. Subscription monetization

Technical Implementation

Stack:

1. Flutter (iOS/Android) 1. Local storage with SharedPreferences 3. Device calendar integration via device_calendar plugin 4. Local notifications via flutter_local_notifications

Key decisions:

1. No backend/server – everything local 1. No user accounts – privacy by design 3. Single-platform focus – mobile-first experience 4. Calendar integration optional – not everyone wants it

The Psychology

Research backs the "Rule of 3":

1. Cognitive load theory: working memory handles 2-4 items optimally 2. Completion psychology: finishing tasks releases dopamine, builds momentum 3. Decision fatigue: fewer choices = better decisions

When you complete 3 meaningful tasks vs. half-finishing 15 random ones, the psychological difference is profound.

Development Journey

Started as a personal productivity experiment after that Reddit thread. Friends noticed I seemed less stressed, more focused. Built MVP in Flutter because:

1. Cross-platform with single codebase 2. Native performance for smooth UX 3. Rich ecosystem for device integrations

Beta tested with the original Reddit community who kept saying "don't add more features, keep it simple." That feedback shaped the entire product philosophy.

Business Model

1. Freemium: Core features free forever 2. Premium: Advanced calendar features, themes 3. No subscription trap – one-time purchase philosophy 4.Privacy-first monetization (no data selling)

What's Next

Currently live on iOS App Store, Android coming soon. Considering:

1. Apple Watch companion (because glancing at 3 tasks makes sense) 2. Simple widget for home screen 3. Export functionality for data portability

Not considering:

1. Web version (mobile context is key) 2. Team features (individual focus is the point) 3. AI integration (human intention > algorithmic suggestions)

Metrics That Matter

Instead of DAU/MAU, I track:

1. Daily completion rate (3/3 tasks) 2. User retention without growth hacking 3. Qualitative feedback about stress reduction

Early users report completing more meaningful work while feeling less overwhelmed. That's the real success metric.

Try It

Available at 3tasksperday.com and iOS App Store. The app is intentionally simple – if you're looking for complex project management, this isn't it. If you want to focus on what truly matters each day, it might be exactly what you need. Built by a developer who was tired of productivity theater and wanted something that actually works.

Questions for HN:

What's your experience with productivity app bloat? Do you think intentional limitation is undervalued in software design? How do you balance feature requests vs. product focus?