7 votes

Recommendations for a Linux based job/ticket management system

Hi all! I'm someone who has ADHD/Autism spectrum issues and am dealing with problems related to executive function. To the point, I'm asking for help with a specific idea of better managing getting things done.

What I'd like is a job tracker / ticket management system that would make it easy for me to keep track of all the different individual to-do items (I.E. jobs / tickets) that I have, keep notes on what I've already done, and have a separate notes section for 'this is what still needs to be done on this item'.

Currently I have this information kind of scattered through different areas / folders. Calendar, work documentation folders, personal notes, etc...

Needs:

  1. Free (open source is nice but not explicitly required). I don't want to add another expense to my balance sheet.
  2. Is user-friendly enough to save me more effort than it costs. I am a long-time tech so the bar on this one is reasonably low.
  3. A GUI. If there are CLI / command line interface programs that would not be convenient for me, I work much more efficiently when I work visually. If I need to install by CLI that's not a problem, just the daily use of the program should be graphical and not command-line text.
  4. (EDITED IN): Locally installed. I want to stay away from adding more company-hosted services which can change / become paid only / otherwise easily undergo Enshittification. If it is locally installed software, I can always decline to update or install a new version.

Nice to haves:

  1. A tracker that gives datestamps for when I put in more information so I can easily know when I last picked up that task.
  2. A priority system so I can have it automatically sort to top for stuff that needs doing sooner vs long-term projects.
  3. Some kind of 'tagging' system which would allow me to tag things like 'personal' or 'work' or 'parts orders' which I could then use a search or sort function to look at only items tagged that way.

My main desktop is Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon in case anyone needs that detail. That is the computer I want to install the ticketing system on.

I've done some searching so far but I'm hoping that by laying out exactly what I'm trying to do with it someone here will have specific advice. My search results so far have found people recommending projects for others who have different use-cases or needs than me.

13 comments

  1. [6]
    Eji1700
    Link
    Trello might fit your needs. More Kanban but still a common project management flow which is the same as a ticket in practice

    Trello might fit your needs. More Kanban but still a common project management flow which is the same as a ticket in practice

    3 votes
    1. [5]
      l_one
      Link Parent
      Thank you, this made me realize I had another thing to add to the list of asks: locally run software. I'm trying to not further entangle myself in online services and risk further making myself...

      Thank you, this made me realize I had another thing to add to the list of asks: locally run software. I'm trying to not further entangle myself in online services and risk further making myself subject to systems that can more easily undergo Enshittification.

      Sorry! I do appreciate the help.

      2 votes
      1. [2]
        Banazir
        Link Parent
        A quick search for desktop kanban programs resulted in FocalBoard. It looks like it hits all your major criteria and feature requirements, although I haven't used it myself to have any real input.

        A quick search for desktop kanban programs resulted in FocalBoard. It looks like it hits all your major criteria and feature requirements, although I haven't used it myself to have any real input.

        1 vote
        1. l_one
          Link Parent
          This looks great on initial glance, thank you! I'm going to go over it further in a bit.

          This looks great on initial glance, thank you! I'm going to go over it further in a bit.

      2. [2]
        Eji1700
        Link Parent
        Ah ok. Planka or memos might work

        Ah ok.

        Planka or memos might work

        1. l_one
          Link Parent
          Thank you kindly. I'm looking into these now.

          Thank you kindly. I'm looking into these now.

          1 vote
  2. [2]
    vord
    Link
    So, other than being CLI, Taskwarrior fits the bill very nicely. I tend to fall on/off the wagon for task management, and taskwarrior outlasted all of them, and is probably the first I turn to...

    So, other than being CLI, Taskwarrior fits the bill very nicely. I tend to fall on/off the wagon for task management, and taskwarrior outlasted all of them, and is probably the first I turn to next time around.

    The good news is that other people have created tools to interface with it, here, including one web-based interface. I can't speak to the quality of these though.

    2 votes
    1. l_one
      Link Parent
      I'll look over the options for adding a GUI and see if it might be a good fit. Thank you.

      I'll look over the options for adding a GUI and see if it might be a good fit. Thank you.

  3. [2]
    mituuz
    Link
    I would recommend Vikunja. It is open source and easy to run in a docker container. It is pretty flexible and supports email notifications. Looks like there is an app on the way too, though it...

    I would recommend Vikunja. It is open source and easy to run in a docker container.

    It is pretty flexible and supports email notifications. Looks like there is an app on the way too, though it works fine for me through the web interface.

    1 vote
    1. l_one
      Link Parent
      Ooh, thank you! That looks like it might be a good fit at first glance, though I'll need to look further into it. Much appreciated.

      Ooh, thank you! That looks like it might be a good fit at first glance, though I'll need to look further into it.

      Much appreciated.

  4. [3]
    artvandelay
    Link
    Trello or Jira would work here. Both are free but only web-based on Linux. You can assign priorities, keep track of tasks already completed, comment on tasks to keep track of where you are in each...

    Trello or Jira would work here. Both are free but only web-based on Linux. You can assign priorities, keep track of tasks already completed, comment on tasks to keep track of where you are in each task.

    1. [2]
      l_one
      Link Parent
      I apologize, I didn't originally think of adding that I need something that is local-install only on my machine. I'm making an effort to not add more services that are externally controlled and...

      I apologize, I didn't originally think of adding that I need something that is local-install only on my machine. I'm making an effort to not add more services that are externally controlled and easily subject to Enshittification.

      There is also the data privacy aspect of locally installed software vs online service. I'm trying to move in a more privacy / 'my data under my control' oriented direction.

      Thank you very much for chiming in though, I really appreciate it.

      1 vote
      1. artvandelay
        Link Parent
        No worries, I actually figured as much when you were being very specific about it being installable on Linux but thought I'd still give recommendations! Following this thread myself as I'd like...

        No worries, I actually figured as much when you were being very specific about it being installable on Linux but thought I'd still give recommendations! Following this thread myself as I'd like something similar for my own life haha.

        1 vote