Obsidian Tasks Query

Creating Task Queries

Write tasks code blocks in markdown notes. The Tasks plugin renders them as live, filtered views of tasks across the vault.

Query Block Syntax

````markdown

not done
due before tomorrow
sort by priority

````

Each line is a separate instruction. All filter lines must match (implicit AND). Queries are case-insensitive except boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT must be UPPERCASE — lowercase is silently ignored). Add explain to any query to debug how Tasks interprets it.

Common Patterns

Overdue tasks:

````markdown

not done
due before today
sort by due

````

Due this week, grouped by file:

````markdown

not done
due this week
group by filename
sort by due

````

High priority:

````markdown

not done
(priority is highest) OR (priority is high)
sort by due

````

Exclude folders:

````markdown

not done
(folder does not include Templates) AND (folder does not include Archive)
sort by due

````

Backlog (no dates):

````markdown

not done
no due date
no scheduled date
sort by path
limit 20

````

These cover the most common cases. For anything more complex — date ranges, custom scripting, regex filters, layout options — read the reference files below.

Overriding the Global Query

The Tasks plugin has a globalQuery setting (Settings → Tasks → Global query) that prepends to every query block. To run a block without it — for example a "show everything" view, or to look at items the user has globally hidden — add ignore global query as the first line:

````markdown

ignore global query
not done
group by filename

````

This disables the entire globalQuery for that block. Selective override of individual lines is not supported — it's all or nothing. Use this when you specifically want to surface tasks the global filter normally hides (e.g. items tagged #wishlist or #learning in frontmatter).

Boolean Filters

Combine multiple conditions on a single line with operators:

(filter 1) AND (filter 2)
(filter 1) OR (filter 2)
NOT (filter 1)
(filter 1) AND NOT (filter 2)

Operators must be UPPERCASE — this is a common mistake. and/or in lowercase are silently ignored, making the query behave unexpectedly. Delimiters: (), [], {}, "" (don't mix types on one line).

Reference Documentation

Read these when the inline patterns above aren't enough:

• [Query Reference](references/QUERY_REFERENCE.md) — complete filter, sorting, grouping, layout options, boolean combinations, and custom scripting. Read when you need a specific filter syntax or want to check available sort/group fields.
• [Examples](references/EXAMPLES.md) — more query recipes including dependencies, compact views, task trees, and date category grouping. Read when building a complex dashboard or looking for inspiration.

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: lexbritvin
• Source: lexbritvin/obsidian-skills-pack
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.