> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guide.ellieplanner.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guide.ellieplanner.com/features/the-timebox.md).

# The Timebox

Drag tasks directly onto your calendar

## What is timeboxing (or timeblocking)?

In Ellie, timeboxing is the act of adding tasks onto the calendar to plan your day.

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2FFxz1zSv0AtuGHf0buF2P%2FCleanShot%202023-07-14%20at%2018.50.28%402x.png?alt=media&amp;token=7170bb4c-94b2-482b-a38f-2532e03f7e3c" alt=""><figcaption><p>Tasks timeboxed onto the calendar</p></figcaption></figure>

## Separate from your actual calendar (or not)

Unlike many apps that support timeboxing, Ellie doesn't require you to connect your actual calendar to use it.

So if you are someone who just wants to timebox, but don't want tasks to appear in your Google/Outlook/Apple calendar, Ellie is perfect.

However, for those that do want tasks to appear in their Google calendar, we do offer a Google calendar integration. You can learn more about it here 👇

{% content-ref url="/pages/NxtvdwEeBUFuqHnfZMFv" %}
[Google calendar integration](/features/the-timebox/google-calendar-integration.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

For Apple calendar users, we allow you to overlay Apple calendar events on the all devices. You can learn more about it here 👇

{% content-ref url="/pages/lmFPernaYB1gotPku8D2" %}
[Apple calendar integration](/features/the-timebox/apple-calendar-integration.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

For Outlook integration, check out our Outlook calendar integration!

{% content-ref url="/pages/IU4Zm69PbiUl65nH7Nwx" %}
[Outlook calendar integration](/features/the-timebox/outlook-calendar-integration.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2F1PiGD9l8a2kNZXOAlZZF%2Fellie-web-calendar-integration-green-borderless-v12-16x9.jpg?alt=media" alt="An authentic Ellie week view with an outside calendar event and launch-week tasks"><figcaption><p>See Ellie timeboxes and outside calendar commitments in one week</p></figcaption></figure>

## Working with multiple calendars

If you want to display multiple calendars on your timebox, you can do so by clicking the calendar icon in the bottom right of the timebox.

You can toggle calendars on/off by clicking the name directly

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2FyMRiWXLRkqdpdAcleAVR%2FCleanShot%202023-07-15%20at%2014.43.24%402x.png?alt=media&amp;token=acfa8ef0-b854-4ad6-a88c-47bf0aaf358c" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>Calendar toggle in the Ellie timebox</p></figcaption></figure>

## Week view

If you prefer to view your entire week at once in the Timebox, you can switch to "Calendar" view which makes the Timebox the focus of the app rather than the Kanban. The Ellie Kanban is moved to the right side and only displays a single day.

You can drag tasks directly onto this calendar as well.

Week view is also available on iPad, with a layout designed for the larger screen.

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2FEP73KJPNQ96d5uCIUmD8%2Fellie-ipad-week-calendar-true-ipad-green-v13-16x9.jpg?alt=media" alt="Ellie week view on a true landscape iPad"><figcaption><p>Week view on iPad</p></figcaption></figure>

## Move a timeboxed task back to Kanban

Plans change. On web and desktop, drag a task from the Timebox back to the Kanban to remove its scheduled time while keeping the task. Drop it on the day where you want it to live next.

## Month view

{% hint style="info" %}
Month view (along with a number of other views) is currently being worked on. You can upvote this [feedback item](https://feedback.ellieplanner.com/feature-requests/p/month-view) to get an email update once its released
{% endhint %}

## Calendar settings

There are a few calendar settings that you can update to further customize the timebox/calendar experience in Ellie:

1. Change the week start day (default is Sunday, but some users prefer Monday)
2. Ability to hide weekends
3. Ability to hide declined events
4. Ability to change the time increment in the calendar (helpful if you need more granular increments when timeboxing)

If you have any setting suggestions, please request them on our [feedback board](https://feedback.ellieplanner.com/)!

<figure><img src="https://3852134662-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnmZdEkTM0SErtqWxGTII%2Fuploads%2F40mY0b7MEDdGy0cmq1J9%2FCleanShot%202023-07-15%20at%2014.49.14%402x.png?alt=media&amp;token=5497674c-765b-492d-9bb9-1f060cdfc03b" alt=""><figcaption><p>Calendar setting options</p></figcaption></figure>