features · Oct 5, 2015
Quire 101
Last updated: July 20, 2026
Two ideas run all of Quire. A task is the basic unit of action, and a project is a hierarchical list of tasks. You can nest unlimited subtasks under any task, create tasks with a click or a shortcut, switch projects from the sidebar, and find everything assigned to you in My Tasks. Free to start.
We're already simple enough, and you're surely smart enough, so this won't take long. But everyone deserves a clean starting line, so here's the real basics guide to Quire. Two concepts do most of the work: the task and the project. Learn those and the rest of Quire makes sense.
There's a reason Quire is built on nesting rather than a flat list. According to the Project Management Institute's PMBOK Guide, breaking a project into smaller pieces (a work breakdown structure) is one of the foundations of planning anything bigger than a chore. Quire turns that idea into the everyday motion of adding a subtask. So let's start there.
What is a task in Quire?
A task is the basic unit of action in Quire. It's one thing you need to get done. That's it.
How do you create a task?
Click on 
to create a task.
You can press + or Ctrl+Enter (Cmd+Enter for Mac) to add a task next to a selected task.
How do you create a subtask?
Click on 
to create a subtask.
Here's the part people fall for: you can create unlimited subtasks in unlimited layers. A vague task like "launch the newsletter" splits into "write it," "design it," and "schedule it," and each of those can split again. The big scary thing becomes a set of small doable things.
For each task, you can add a due date, assignee, tags, and more. You can also drag and drop any task or subtask whenever its priority or relationship changes.
Click on a task and its detail opens on the right. This is where you add descriptions, leave comments, and attach files, so everything about that one task lives in one place instead of scattered across email.
There's a faster way to move around, too: keyboard shortcuts. Click Keyboard Shortcuts under the Help icon in the bottom-right, or just press F1 (Fn+F1 for Mac).
What is a project in Quire?
A project is a hierarchical list of tasks. Think of it as one body of work with all its tasks (and their subtasks) living together under one roof.
You switch from one project to another in the sidebar, after clicking 
on the upper-left of your screen.
In the sidebar you'll see all your projects under Projects, plus everything assigned to you under My Tasks. My Tasks is your personal pile across every project, so you never have to open six projects to find your own six things.
You can keep the sidebar visible by clicking the "pin" icon.
How do you create a project?
To create a project, click the "+" at the top of the sidebar. The same menu also lets you create an Organization or a Smart Folder when you're ready for them.
What makes Quire different from a flat to-do app?
If you've only ever used a checklist app, here's what the task-and-project model gives you that a flat list can't.
The short version: a checklist tells you what to do, and Quire shows you how the work fits together. That difference is the whole point of starting here.
Where do you go after Quire 101?
You now know enough to be dangerous: create tasks, nest subtasks, build a project, and find your own work in My Tasks. That's the foundation everything else sits on. If starting from a blank project feels like a lot, Quire's templates give you a running start instead.
When you're ready for more, the Features category covers the next steps, from the Kanban Board to the Timeline and beyond, including 20 hidden Quire features most new users never find. Open a real project, add a few tasks, and split one of them into subtasks. The moment a big task becomes three small ones, you'll get why Quire works the way it does.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a task in Quire?
The basic unit of action: one thing to get done, with its own due date, assignee, tags, description, comments, and attachments.
How do you create a task and a subtask?
Click the add-task icon (or press + / Ctrl+Enter) for a task, and the add-subtask icon for a subtask. Subtasks nest in unlimited layers.
What is a project?
A hierarchical list of tasks. You switch between projects in the sidebar, and My Tasks gathers everything assigned to you across all of them.
How do you create a project?
Open the sidebar with the menu icon, then click the "+" at the top. The same menu creates Organizations and Smart Folders too.
Is Quire free to start?
Yes. The free plan covers tasks, unlimited subtasks, projects, and the core views, so this whole guide costs nothing to follow.
Can you use Quire offline?
Yes. Quire can work 100% offline for tasks and projects, and your changes sync once you reconnect.
