Skip to content

First Steps with LOS

This guide walks you through the initial setup and the first planning cycle in LOS. It takes a few minutes to prepare a useful working layout — you don't have to configure every module right away.

1. Log in

Open LOS and on the Sign in page enter your email address and password.

If you don't remember your password, choose Forgot password? and follow the instructions sent to your email address. After logging in, LOS opens the Today view.

2. Get to Know the App Layout

The app consists of three main areas:

  • the navigation menu on the left is used to switch between pages and modules;
  • the top bar shows the current year, week number, and weekly progress, and contains shortcuts to messages, notifications, and the account menu;
  • the main part of the screen displays the selected page.

On a smaller screen, use the menu icon in the top left corner to open or close the navigation. Click the avatar or level in the top right corner to open account settings or log out.

3. Configure the Most Important Settings

You can use Set up LOS on Today or Settings → Open setup. The setup wizard walks you through choosing panels, day settings, and a dashboard preview. It lets you save progress and return to it later.

Open Settings from the navigation menu or the account menu. You don't have to fill in every setting right away. Start with the sections below.

Planning

Check the following values first:

  1. Time zone — it makes dates, reminders, and scheduled tasks use your local time.
  2. First day of the week — determines how weeks are displayed throughout the app.
  3. New task defaults — optionally set the default duration, priority, and project for new tasks.
  4. Work hours and Sleep hours — help match the planning views to your typical day.

You also set the parts of the day here. Confirm changes in the section with Save changes; Cancel restores the saved values.

Modules & Today

The Modules & Today section determines which optional modules are visible in the menu. Turn off the ones you don't plan to use for now. You can turn them back on at any time.

The main pages — Today, Dashboard, Planning, Goals & Projects, and Settings — always remain available.

Appearance

Choose an accent color if you want to personalize the look of the app. Task colors, categories, names, and icons can be configured later.

4. Create Your First Task

Go to Planning → Tasks and choose the button for adding a new task. You can also use New Task on the Today page or Add Task in the weekly planner.

In the New task window:

  1. Enter a Name. It is the only information required to create a task.
  2. Add a Description if the task needs context or notes.
  3. Set the duration and priority.
  4. Choose a project or goal if the task is part of a larger effort.
  5. Set the date and start time if you already know when you will do the task. Leave the date empty if you want to schedule it later.
  6. Choose Create. In the open window you can also use the Ctrl+Enter shortcut.

Tasks without a date remain available in Tasks until you schedule them.

5. Plan Your Week

Open Planning → Weekly Planner. It is the main place where the task list turns into a realistic schedule.

  • Use the week controls to move between weeks or return to the current week.
  • Add a task directly to the selected week with Add Task.
  • Place an unscheduled task on the right day and time.
  • Move tasks when the plan changes.
  • Use the View menu to show or hide completed tasks and change the presentation.

Don't fill every available hour. Free space between tasks makes the plan better withstand delays and unexpected situations.

6. Use the Today View

Start each day on the Today page. It brings together the most important current information, including today's tasks, overdue items, and upcoming actions.

Click a task to open its details. After doing the work, use the completion control on the task card or the Completed button in the details. Completed time affects progress indicators, statistics, and your level in LOS.

If you need a more precise hourly view, choose Open Day view.

7. Connect Tasks with Goals and Projects

Once basic planning feels comfortable, start using the Goals & Projects group:

  • create a Goal for a result you want to achieve;
  • create a Project for a larger effort made up of many tasks;
  • assign tasks to the appropriate goal or project;
  • use Projects Planner when you need a timeline covering many projects.

The same scheduled task can be visible in the day or week plan and at the same time remain connected to its goal or project. The task marked as the current action of a goal is described in the article Next step of a goal.

8. Check Your Progress

The Dashboard page provides a quick summary. Optional modules from the Insights group provide more detail:

  • Statistics summarizes completed work and time distribution;
  • Heatmap shows regularity over time;
  • Weekly Review, Monthly Review, and Yearly Review help analyze the corresponding periods.

Summaries are most useful when done regularly. To start, a short weekly summary is enough.

9. Back Up Your Data

Open Settings → Data and choose Export Data. Save the exported JSON file in a safe place. The data can later be restored with Import Data. Before a large import or a significant data reorganization, run a new export. Details: Import and export data.

A Simple Daily Rhythm

  1. Open Today and check overdue and scheduled tasks.
  2. If priorities have changed, adjust the plan in the Weekly Planner.
  3. Mark tasks as completed right after doing them.
  4. Save new tasks without worrying about immediately scheduling every one of them.
  5. At the end of the week, open Weekly Review and decide what should carry over to the next week.

When Something Is Missing

If an optional module is missing from the menu, check Settings → Modules & Today. If a task is not visible in the weekly schedule, look for it in Planning → Tasks and check its assigned date.

More information is available on the Help and FAQ pages in the app. You can also write to support@see-los.com.