Notion is a powerful tool as your second brain.

However, capturing a new page to a specific database might not be the most intuitive, especially for heavy users with numerous databases.

It becomes even more cumbersome if you have multiple task databases for different life areas, such as work and personal.

This is where SyncTasks comes in as a dedicated to-do app for Notion users.

In this article, we will explore how to use SyncTasks to quickly add a new task to the right database.

Step 1: Connect to Notion

First, open the SyncTasks app.

To connect to your Notion account for the first time, click on “Connect to Notion” in the last tab.

Then, simply follow the on-screen instructions to log in to your Notion account and select the databases you want to connect to SyncTasks.

It’s important to ensure that you’re selecting the original database page instead of a linked view of it.

Step 2: Create a shortcut

Next, we’ll need to go to the Shortcuts app. If you’ve removed the app, you can download it again from the App Store.

In the app, create a new shortcut. Then, search for “SyncTasks” in the actions menu and add the “Add Task” action.

Then, fill in the variable “Ask Each Time” for both the Title and Folder fields. This will prompt you to write the task title and then select the database to save it.

Before moving on to the next step, you can rename and choose a new icon that suits your aesthetic or for better recognizability.

To do so, tap on the dropdown arrow next to the existing shortcut name at the top.

Step 3: Add the shortcut

Once you’ve created the shortcut, you can add it to various places on your device, such as the Control Center, lock screen, or Action button. 

We suggest adding this shortcut as a lock screen control to quickly create tasks while on the go.

To start editing your lock screen, swipe down from the top of your home screen to reveal it. 

Then, hold down any button to enter editing mode. Next, click on the “Customize” button that appears below the lock screen you want to customize.

To replace either the left or right control, simply click the minus icon to remove the existing control. Then, click on the empty control area to browse and search for a new control.

To use the shortcut we’ve created, we need the “Run Shortcut” control from the Shortcuts app.

Tap on it to add the shortcut, and it will prompt you to select the shortcut you want it to run. Simply choose the shortcut you named earlier.

Finally, click on Done to finish editing.

Now, you’re ready to add a new task directly from your lock screen.