JotBud

Goblin Tools Alternative for ADHD

Goblin Tools broke the task down. Then everyone forgot about it.

You love Magic To-Do. But after it splits your task into steps, you still have to remember to do them. JotBud adds the memory that Goblin Tools doesn't have.

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JotBudon Telegram
I need to clean my apartment but I literally cannot start
Task paralysis is real. Here's a tiny start: pick up 5 things in the room you're in. Just 5. Want me to nudge you in 10 minutes to check in?
ok fine
That's all it takes. Timer set. I'll check back in 10.

Why people leave Goblin Tools

Brilliant parsing, zero follow-through

Goblin Tools is amazing at breaking tasks into steps. But it's stateless — once you close the tab, those steps are gone. You still have to manually copy them somewhere else and remember to check back.

“I love the task breakdown, but I need a tool that actually reminds me to do the steps.”

No reminders, no nudges, no memory

Goblin Tools doesn't know who you are, what you told it yesterday, or what you need to do tomorrow. Every session starts fresh. For ADHD brains that need persistent reminders, this is a critical gap.

A collection of utilities, not a companion

Magic To-Do, Formalizer, Judge, Chef — each tool solves one thing well. But switching between tools adds friction, and none of them talk to each other or build on context.

JotBud vs. Goblin Tools

FeatureJotBudGoblin Tools
ADHD-specific design✓✓
Shame-free language✓✓
AI task breakdown✓✓
Remembers your tasks✓✕
Sends reminders✓✕
Morning briefings✓✕
Context recovery✓✕
Works in messaging app✓✕
Voice capture✓✕
Free tier✓✓
PriceFreeFree (web)

How JotBud is different

Goblin Tools + memory

JotBud parses your brain dumps just like Goblin Tools, but it also stores the results, tracks them over time, and reminds you about them. It's the missing persistence layer.

One conversation instead of six tools

Instead of switching between Magic To-Do, Compiler, and Estimator, just text JotBud. It handles task breakdown, organization, and reminders in a single chat thread.

It follows up

Goblin Tools helps in the moment. JotBud helps in the moment and tomorrow morning, and next Thursday when you've forgotten. That's the difference between a tool and a companion.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stop using Goblin Tools?+
Not necessarily. Goblin Tools is great for quick task breakdowns and tone-checking messages. But if your problem is remembering to actually do the tasks after breaking them down, JotBud fills that gap. You can use both.
Can JotBud break tasks into steps?+
JotBud parses brain dumps into individual items and helps you prioritize. It's not as specialized as Magic To-Do's "spiciness" slider, but it handles the full loop: break down, store, remind, follow up.
Is JotBud free like Goblin Tools?+
Yes. JotBud is free on Telegram. Like Goblin Tools' web version, there's no paywall for the core features.
Does JotBud have a tone checker like the Formalizer?+
No. JotBud focuses on memory, capture, and reminders. For tone-checking messages, Goblin Tools' Formalizer is still a great option.

From the blog

The ADHD App Graveyard: Why Your Brain Abandons Every App

ADHD Guides

ADHD Memory Problems? Stop Training, Start Offloading

Memory & Executive Function

Other alternatives

Notion Alternative

Setup paralysis disguised as productivity

Todoist Alternative

The overdue shame spiral

Tiimo Alternative

Rigid timelines punish falling behind

Inflow Alternative

The ADHD tax on top of the ADHD tax

Obsidian Alternative

The plugin rabbit hole

Evernote Alternative

The digital junk drawer

Your brain does the thinking.
JotBud does the remembering.

Start on Telegram — it's free

Open Telegram → Search @JotBudBot → Say hi