# Due dates

## What are due dates in Ellie?

Ellie due dates are a way to make sure you stay on track when it comes to completing tasks on time.

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2F50KFve8Gp5m0dMJclaRl%2FCleanShot%202023-08-23%20at%2021.29.58%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cd04b84c-7a86-4e98-8934-c80b149420c3" alt=""><figcaption><p>Due date indicators on tasks</p></figcaption></figure>

When due dates are enabled on Ellie, a new section is also added that shows you tasks with upcoming and past due dates. This is a great way to visualize things you missed and things that are upcoming without having to scroll throughout the board to find them

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2FWV2f8yv0JZJbzoEjXR3z%2FCleanShot%202023-08-23%20at%2021.30.39%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=aafd23fa-d644-4918-9aef-6db03d6bc853" alt=""><figcaption><p>Due date section in Ellie</p></figcaption></figure>

## How to enable due dates?

Ellie is considered a "Power feature" and not enabled by default. You can enable this by going to "Power features" in settings and toggling it on for your account.

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2Flnk0MaN43LIWF0Nnwrsl%2FCleanShot%202023-08-23%20at%2021.32.35%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=394c65c0-42a8-427f-ab73-7063fe40cd36" alt=""><figcaption><p>Enabling due dates in Ellie</p></figcaption></figure>

## Due date settings

You can change the amount of time required for a due date indicator to be shown on the card.

This is great if you want to minimize information on the board and only show due dates when most relevant. You can access this in Settings -> Due dates

You can also enable reminder notifications for upcoming due dates.

{% hint style="info" %}
Notifications are very new and currently in beta. Please report any issues to <chris@aloa.co> directly so I can get them resolved 👷‍♂️
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2F34vpT0U16ywdnWDoWbVx%2FCleanShot%202024-04-10%20at%2022.50.00%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=15d686b1-9e07-4d42-a427-310fa68ef20b" alt=""><figcaption><p>Due date settings</p></figcaption></figure>

## Reminder notifications

{% hint style="info" %}
Notifications are very new and currently in beta. Please report any issues to <chris@aloa.co> directly so I can get them resolved 👷‍♂️
{% endhint %}

You can enable reminder notifications for due dates and receive push notifications on your iOS device and Mac.

To enable notifications head to Settings -> Power features -> Due Date Settings and click "Allow reminder notifications". You can also enable this via the iOS app.

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2F34vpT0U16ywdnWDoWbVx%2FCleanShot%202024-04-10%20at%2022.50.00%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=15d686b1-9e07-4d42-a427-310fa68ef20b" alt=""><figcaption><p>Notification Settings</p></figcaption></figure>

You can set the default notification time in the settings page OR you can also customize it on a per task basis by clicking the notification icon next to the due date.

This icon is available on iOS and desktop and will be visible for any tasks \*with due dates in the future\*.

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2F8WG5sNbOuPEXW1Cly8Oc%2FCleanShot%202024-04-12%20at%2017.52.14%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b7bec0e7-3153-4ce4-8d29-e113163bd3a0" alt=""><figcaption><p>Reminder notification settings on desktop</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2FQz67LDX3lDgdgnm4hnUM%2FIMG_B8C0FA75B5A6-1.jpeg?alt=media&#x26;token=4fb93dad-a0dd-439b-8bd5-46aee2aa9dbc" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>Reminder notifications on iOS</p></figcaption></figure>

## Why are due dates off by default?

The due dates feature added a few settings and UI elements (such as the new toggle and due date section on the left hand side) and had the potential to confuse new users.

A primary value props of Ellie is a clean/minimal interface that is immediately easy to understand. This feature had the potential to conflict with that, so the decision was made to create it but keep it off by default.

If there is enough usage though, it has the potential to be turned on by default in the future!