Subtasks
Break any task into steps. Chain them with the Return key, reorder, check off, and track progress at a glance.
Some tasks are really several. "Book the trip" is flights, hotel, and travel insurance in a trench coat. Subtasks let you keep the steps inside the task, so your day page stays short while the work stays visible.
Adding subtasks
Open a task and tap Add Subtask at the end of its subtask list. When you're editing a task that has no subtasks yet, a bullet-list icon in the left margin takes you straight there.
Once you're in the flow, press Return to commit a subtask and start the next one, so you can pour out all the steps in one sitting. It works with hardware keyboards too. Press Return on an empty subtask to stop.
On your day page
A task with subtasks shows a chevron and a progress count, like "2/5". Tap the chevron to expand the steps inline, indented under their parent; tap again to tuck them away. Check off subtasks as you go and watch the count climb.
Reordering and deleting
Drag subtasks to reorder them. Swipe one to the left to delete it (recoverable from the Deleted list in the Lists tab).
Where subtasks work
Subtasks belong to simple tasks and notes, the two kinds of things that live in Finalist itself. Reminders and calendar events don't support them, since those live in Apple's apps; see The Five Kinds of Things.
Subtasks, lists, or headings?
A quick rule: steps that belong to one task and one day are subtasks. Work that outgrows a day belongs in a list. Sections of your day are headings. If you find yourself scrolling inside a task, it probably wants to be a list.
Related: Adding Tasks · The Five Kinds of Things · Tips & Best Practices