Turn emails into tasks. Keep the conversation.

An email subject tells you what a conversation is about. It rarely tells you exactly what to do next. Turning the request into a task gives it a clear action; keeping the original message linked lets you check the details without copying the whole thread.

Start with Gmail’s built-in option

On a computer, open the message in Gmail and use Add to Tasks in the toolbar or its More menu. This creates a task in Google Tasks. Edit the task’s title so it describes the work, then add the details and date you need.

If a task beside your inbox is all you need, this is a useful place to start. Google documents the command in its Gmail toolbar guide.

Write the action, not the subject line

Imagine an email titled “The next chapter for Halden” asking you to send a revised proposal before a design review. A task with the same title leaves you to interpret the request again later.

Email subject

The next chapter for Halden

Next action

Send the revised Halden proposal

Context to keep

The message explaining what should change, and the review event

Keep one action per task when the work can be completed independently. “Revise the proposal” and “Send the proposal” may deserve separate tasks if someone needs to review the revision before it goes out.

Keep the source beside the work

Sameplace connects mail, todos, and calendar events in one workspace. A todo created from an email keeps that exact message as its source. Related lets you return to the correspondence and attach additional context while you work.

1. Open the sample email “The next chapter for Halden” in the demo.
2. Choose Review 1 todo from More to see the sample suggestion. Review the request before choosing Create todo, then View todo to open it in Todo. On emails without suggestions, choose Find todos.
3. Edit the action to describe the result you intend to deliver. Set a reminder if you want the task brought back to your attention at a particular time.
4. Save any edits and use Related to check the original message.

A reminder is when you want to revisit the work. If the sender specifies a deadline, keep that commitment clear in the action or details; do not assume a reminder captures every part of it.

Decide whether you need a task at all

A message that only needs a quick reply may not need a separate task. Create one when the work will outlive your current pass through the inbox, needs a reminder, or belongs to a larger piece of preparation. After completing it, check whether the sender still needs a reply.

For requests tied to a meeting, continue with our meeting preparation workflow. To understand which parts of this workspace need a connection, read the local-first email guide.