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OmniFocus API Essential Guide

Aug 15, 20246 minute read

What type of API does OmniFocus provide?

The type of API used by OmniFocus is not specified in the given search results.

Does the OmniFocus API have webhooks?

Based on the search results provided, there is no explicit mention of an official OmniFocus API with webhooks. However, I can provide some relevant information about OmniFocus's automation and integration capabilities:

Key Points

  1. OmniFocus does not appear to have an official API with webhooks based on the available information.

  2. OmniFocus offers automation capabilities, but they are primarily focused on local scripting and plugins rather than a web-based API.

  3. The app provides some integration options, but they are more limited compared to a full API with webhooks.

Automation and Integration Options

  1. Omni Automation: OmniFocus supports cross-platform Omni Automation plug-ins, which allow users to enhance workflows and integrate with other apps and data sources.

  2. AppleScript: On Mac, OmniFocus supports AppleScript for automation.

  3. Calendar Integration: OmniFocus can export due reminders as a calendar file (.ICS) that can be subscribed to in calendar applications.

  4. Quick Entry: OmniFocus provides a Quick Entry feature to add new actions from anywhere, which could potentially be used with other apps or workflows.

  5. Sync Service: OmniFocus offers a free, encrypted sync service to keep data consistent across devices, but this is not the same as an API with webhooks.

Best Practices

While OmniFocus doesn't appear to offer an official API with webhooks, users can still achieve some level of integration and automation:

  1. Utilize Omni Automation plug-ins and AppleScript (on Mac) for local automation needs.

  2. Explore third-party tools and services that might offer unofficial integrations with OmniFocus.

  3. Consider using the calendar export feature to integrate OmniFocus due dates with other calendar-based systems.

  4. For simple task additions, explore using the Quick Entry feature in combination with other automation tools on your device.

In conclusion, while OmniFocus offers various automation and integration options, it does not appear to have an official API with webhooks based on the provided information. Users looking for extensive API-based integrations may need to explore alternative task management solutions or rely on the existing automation features within OmniFocus.

Rate Limits and other limitations

Based on the search results provided, I could not find any specific information about the API rate limits for OmniFocus. The search results contain information about rate limits for other APIs like Omnisend, Haravan, and AutoFocus, but not for OmniFocus.

Since there is no direct information available about OmniFocus API rate limits in the search results, I cannot provide a definitive answer to your question. To get accurate information about OmniFocus API rate limits, I would recommend:

  1. Checking the official OmniFocus API documentation, if available.
  2. Contacting OmniFocus support directly for specific details about their API rate limits.
  3. Looking for any developer forums or communities related to OmniFocus where this information might be shared.

If you have access to the OmniFocus API and are actively using it, you may want to check the response headers of your API requests for any rate limit information, as some APIs include this information in their responses.

I apologize that I couldn't provide a more specific answer based on the search results available. If you need information about a different API or have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Latest API Version

Based on the search results provided, here are the key points regarding the most recent version of the OmniFocus API:

Most Recent Version

The most recent version of OmniFocus mentioned in the search results is OmniFocus 4.3.2 [2]. This version is available for:

  • Phone, iPad, and Apple Watch
  • Apple Vision Pro
  • Mac

Key Points

  1. The search results do not explicitly mention an "OmniFocus API" version. Instead, they focus on application versions and updates [2].

  2. The most recent release notes mention bug fixes and improvements rather than API changes [2].

  3. There are references to "Omni Automation" in the release notes, which may be related to the API functionality [2]:

    • Fixed issues with automation scripts presenting forms
    • Fixed the Task.duration property for fixed-duration tasks
  4. The search results include some API-related information, but it's not clear if this is the most up-to-date documentation [https://omni-automation.com/omnifocus/OF-API.html]:

    • References to properties like tasks, tasksAndFolders, focus, userVersion, etc.
    • Functions like find(), fileWrapper(), byIdentifier(), etc.
  5. There's mention of a buildVersion property that represents the internal build version number of the app [https://omni-automation.com/omnifocus/OF-API.html].

Summary

While the search results provide information about recent OmniFocus application versions and some API-related details, they don't explicitly state a specific "API version." The most recent application version mentioned is OmniFocus 4.3.2, which includes some automation-related fixes. For the most accurate and up-to-date information about the OmniFocus API, it would be best to consult the official OmniFocus developer documentation or contact The Omni Group directly.

How to get a OmniFocus developer account and API Keys?

To get a developer account for OmniFocus to create an API integration, you'll need to follow these steps:

Enable Developer Mode in OmniFocus

  1. Open the OmniFocus app on your device.
  2. Tap the gear icon at the top-left of the OmniFocus window to open the Settings dialog.
  3. Scroll to the Automation section in the Settings.
  4. Activate the Developer Mode switch. It will show as green when "Developer Mode" is on.
  5. Tap the Done button to close the Settings dialog.

Access the Automation Console

Once Developer Mode is activated, you can access the Automation Console:

  1. Look for the Automation Menu icon at the bottom-left of the OmniFocus window.
  2. Tap the Automation Menu icon and select "Automation Console" from the popup menu.

Generate an API Token

To integrate OmniFocus with external services or applications, you'll need an API token:

  1. Open the OmniFocus app and access the settings.
  2. Look for the API section in the settings.
  3. Generate an API token and make sure to save it securely, as you'll need this for authentication.

What can you do with the OmniFocus API?

Based on the search results provided, here are the key data models that can be interacted with using the OmniFocus API, along with what is possible for each:

Actions/Tasks

  • Add new actions/tasks
  • Mark actions as complete
  • Search for actions
  • View action details (title, notes, due dates, etc.)
  • Edit action attributes

Projects

  • Create new projects
  • View project details
  • Edit project attributes
  • Add actions to projects

Folders

  • Create folders
  • View folder contents
  • Edit folder attributes

Tags

  • Create tags
  • Assign tags to actions/projects
  • View tagged items
  • Edit tag attributes

Perspectives (Pro)

  • Create custom perspectives
  • Edit perspective rules and attributes
  • Delete perspectives

Inbox

  • Add items to inbox
  • View inbox contents

Database Objects

  • Interact with generic database objects representing actions, projects, folders, tags, perspectives

Key Points:

  • No direct API is provided - interaction is done through URL schemes, automation, or accessing the encrypted database files directly
  • The OmniFocus data is stored in encrypted zip files synced between clients
  • There is no REST API or service to directly query the data
  • Automation is possible through URL schemes, Shortcuts, and Omni Automation (JavaScript)
  • The web version uses a headless OmniFocus client, not a traditional database

So in summary, while OmniFocus does not provide a traditional API, there are various ways to programmatically interact with the core data models through automation and direct database access. The data structure is based around actions/tasks, projects, tags, and other organizational elements.