CrittrHavensCrittrHavens

Task Management and Scheduling

Stay on top of your crittrs' care with smart scheduling. CrittrHavens makes it simple to create routines that keep everyone healthy and happy.

Your task system helps you build consistent care routines. Set up feeding schedules, medication reminders, habitat maintenance—whatever your pets need. Everything flows together automatically.

Understanding Task Templates vs One-Time Tasks

Task Templates create recurring schedules that generate tasks automatically. Think feeding every day at 8 AM or cleaning the habitat weekly. You set it once, and CrittrHavens handles the rest.

One-Time Tasks are perfect for specific events. Maybe your gecko needs a vet visit next Tuesday, or you're trying a new supplement this weekend. Quick to add, no ongoing schedule.

The magic happens when templates generate individual task instances. Each day gets its own task that you can complete, modify, or skip without affecting the whole schedule.

Your Two Views: Daily vs Schedule

Daily View

Your home base for getting things done. The calendar shows all your tasks for the week, with today front and center. Tasks from templates mix seamlessly with one-time items.

  1. Quick Task button for adding immediate tasks
  2. Tap any incomplete task to mark it done
  3. Visual indicators show what's complete, pending, or overdue
  4. Completed tasks link to their log entries

Schedule View

Where you manage your recurring task templates. This is your command center for building long-term care routines.

  1. New Task Series button creates recurring templates
  2. See all your active templates in one place
  3. Edit entire series or deactivate when needed
  4. Track which templates are working best

Creating Tasks That Flow

One-Time Tasks (Daily View)

Perfect for those spontaneous care moments or specific events.

  1. Hit Quick Task from the Daily View
  2. Set your date and time—easy scheduling that matches your day
  3. Link to specific crittrs, habitats, or plants if relevant
  4. Add consumables if the task uses food or supplies

Your task appears on the calendar right away, ready when you need it.

Recurring Tasks (Schedule View)

This is where the real productivity magic happens. Build routines that run themselves.

  1. New Task Series opens your template builder
  2. Choose your pattern:
    • Daily: Every N days (perfect for feeding schedules)
    • Weekly: Specific days each week (habitat cleaning on weekends)
    • Monthly: Same day each month (deeper maintenance tasks)
  3. Set start and end dates to control the schedule
  4. Link consumables to track usage automatically

Pro tip: Start with simple patterns. You can always adjust later as you find your rhythm.

Completing Tasks Like a Pro

When you tap a task to complete it, CrittrHavens opens the completion modal. This is where your care gets logged automatically.

  1. Add notes about how it went—any observations or details
  2. Track consumables used—your inventory updates automatically
  3. Link related items if the task connects to specific crittrs or habitats
  4. Confirm completion and you're done

Everything saves to your care logs automatically. No extra steps, no forgotten details.

Linking Tasks to Your Setup

Tasks work best when they connect to your actual crittrs and spaces.

For Crittrs: Link feeding, medication, handling, or measurement tasks to specific pets. Their care history stays organized and complete. Learn more about pet management → or check out our detailed pet setup guide →

📏 Measurement Reminders: Create recurring tasks for weight and length measurements. Learn about growth tracking workflows →

For Habitats: Connect cleaning, water changes, or temperature checks to the right enclosures. Track maintenance schedules effortlessly. Learn more about habitat management →

For Plants: Schedule watering, fertilizing, or pruning for your live plants. Keep your green spaces thriving.

For Multiple Items: Some tasks cover several crittrs or habitats. The system handles complex setups smoothly.

Consumable Tracking Made Simple

When tasks use food, supplements, or supplies, link them to your inventory. CrittrHavens tracks usage automatically.

  1. Add consumables to your task template or one-time task
  2. Set quantities for each item
  3. Task completion automatically reduces inventory
  4. Get alerts when supplies run low

Your supply management stays current without extra work.

Notification Setup

Stay informed without notification overload. Choose what matters to you.

Individual Task Alerts: Get notified when specific tasks are due. Perfect for medication reminders or feeding times.

Daily Summary: One notification each morning with your day's task list. Clean and simple.

Push Notification Settings:

  1. Check your device notification permissions for CrittrHavens
  2. Open app settings to configure notification preferences
  3. Choose daily summary or individual task alerts
  4. Set your preferred notification time

Pro tip: Daily summaries work great for most people. Individual alerts are perfect for time-sensitive care like medications.

Editing and Adjusting Tasks

Life happens. Your schedules need to flex with you.

Individual Task Instances:

  • Change the time for just today's feeding
  • Add extra notes or adjust consumables for one instance
  • Skip a task without affecting the whole schedule

Entire Template Series:

  • Update all future tasks in a recurring schedule
  • Change timing, frequency, or linked items
  • Deactivate templates when routines change

The system keeps completed tasks as-is while applying changes to future instances. Your care history stays intact.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Tasks not generating: Check that your template is active and has a valid start date.

Notifications not working: Verify device permissions and check your notification preferences in app settings.

Wrong time zones: Task times use your device's current time zone setting.

Missing consumables: Make sure items exist in your inventory before linking them to tasks.

Overwhelming schedule: Start simple. Add complexity as routines become natural.

Making It Work for You

Start Small: Begin with one or two recurring tasks. Build your system gradually.

Be Realistic: Set schedules you can actually maintain. Consistent simple routines beat complex ones you skip.

Use Notes: Task completion notes become valuable care history. Your future self will thank you.

Review Regularly: Check your Schedule View monthly. Deactivate what's not working, adjust what needs tweaking.

Your task system should make care easier, not harder. Keep it flowing smoothly and it'll become second nature.