Alternatives to Roam Nautilus in Logseq
Roam Nautilus is a clever Roam Research extension that turns a daily task list into a visual spiral planner, dynamically scheduling unfinished tasks into available time slots (based on events, durations, and progress) to reduce overwhelm and improve time estimation. It's Roam-specific, but Logseq's outliner-style journals and plugin ecosystem make it easy to replicate this with a mix of plugins and queries. Logseq doesn't have an exact 1:1 port (no spiral visuals yet), but you can achieve similar time-blocking, auto-rescheduling, and visual task tracking using open-source plugins.
Based on Logseq's plugin marketplace, community discussions (e.g., Reddit, forums), and recent updates (as of September 2025), here are the top alternatives. I've prioritized those with calendar integration, task auto-arrangement, and visual elements like Gantt charts or progress bars. These are all free and installable via Logseq's built-in plugin browser (Settings > Plugins > Marketplace).
Key Recommendations
- For closest Nautilus-like dynamic planning: Use Agenda as your core plugin—it's the most comprehensive for visual calendars and task pushing.
- For quick setup: Combine Logseq Gantt (for timelines) with Todo Master (for progress tracking).
- Pro Tip: In Logseq, use journal queries like {{query (and (task scheduled) (between today tomorrow))}} under a daily template to auto-pull tasks, mimicking Nautilus's push-forward. Add durations with properties like :: 15m for estimation.
| Plugin | Description | Key Features (Similar to Nautilus) | Pros vs. Nautilus | Cons vs. Nautilus | Install Notes | GitHub/Link |
|---|
| Agenda | A full-featured calendar and task manager that integrates Logseq tasks with visual timelines, supporting dynamic rescheduling based on deadlines and availability. | - Multiple views: Day/week/month/Gantt.
- Auto-overdue task highlighting and dashboard for unfinished items.
- Event/task creation with durations (e.g., "Meeting 30m").
- Progress tracking, milestones, and exportable logs.
- Queries for pushing tasks to today. | - Native Logseq integration (no code blocks needed).
- Gantt for visual "spiral-like" time flow.
- Free, offline-first; handles large graphs better than Roam's cloud. | - No spiral shape (uses linear/Gantt instead).
- Steeper setup for custom queries. | Search "Agenda" in Logseq Marketplace; docs at haydenull.github.io/logseq-plugin-agenda. | GitHub |
| Logseq Gantt | Generates interactive Gantt charts from tasks, visualizing schedules and dependencies like a timeline version of Nautilus's spiral. | - Auto-generates charts from scheduled tasks.
- Drag-to-reschedule unfinished items.
- Supports durations, progress %, and event blocks.
- Export to PDF/SVG for sharing. | - Highly visual for daily energy mapping.
- Real-time updates as you mark tasks DONE.
- Lightweight and customizable themes. | - Requires manual task scheduling (no auto-push).
- Less calendar-focused than Agenda. | Marketplace: "Gantt"; pair with journal templates for daily use. | Marketplace (search Gantt) |
| Todo Master | Adds progress bars and estimation tools to tasks, helping track durations and completion like Nautilus's % markers. | - Inline progress bars (e.g., click to increment 10%).
- Duration estimation and overdue alerts.
- Integrates with queries for daily task lists. | - Simple, no-frills visual feedback.
- Enhances Logseq's native TODOs without bloat.
- Mobile-friendly. | - No calendar/spiral; pairs best with other plugins.
- Basic compared to Nautilus's auto-arrange. | Marketplace: "Todo Master"; use / command to add bars. | Marketplace |
| Tasks Check Date | Automatically timestamps completed tasks and supports rescheduling, similar to Nautilus's DONE logging and forward-pushing. | - Adds completion times (e.g., "d14:30").
- Queries for unfinished tasks to "push" via templates.
- Sound notifications on completion. | - Great for effort estimation logs.
- Scriptable for custom auto-moves (e.g., bash for archiving).
- Privacy-focused, local-only. | - Text-based (no visuals).
- Requires custom queries for dynamics. | Marketplace: "Task Check Date"; combine with Agenda for visuals. | GitHub |
| Move Block | Quickly refactors tasks to today's journal, enabling Nautilus-style daily rearrangement without rewriting. | - Copy/drag blocks to journals with refs.
- Useful for prioritizing and slotting into time blocks.
- Supports bulk moves for lists. | - Speeds up manual reordering.
- Integrates with Logseq's block refs for linking.
- Free and simple. | - No auto-scheduling or visuals.
- More utility than planner. | Marketplace: "Move Block". | GitHub |
Quick Setup for a Nautilus-Like Workflow in Logseq
- Install Plugins: Go to Logseq Settings > Plugins > Marketplace, search and install Agenda + Logseq Gantt + Todo Master.
- Daily Template: Create a template (Settings > Editor > Templates) with:
text
## Agenda
{{query (and (task scheduled) (between today tomorrow))}}
{{gantt}} ;; Renders Gantt from tasks
- Event: 12:00-13:00 Meeting {{renderer todo-master}} ;; Add progress
- Task: Write report 45m d50% ;; Duration + progress
- Dynamic Pushing: Use Agenda's dashboard to view/reorder unfinished tasks; set queries to filter by "unscheduled" for auto-fill.
- Visual Tweaks: Customize CSS in Settings for "spiral-ish" curves if you're adventurous (community themes exist).
These setups capture Nautilus's essence—visual, flexible, and low-overhead—while leveraging Logseq's strengths like local Markdown files and free plugins. If you need something more custom (e.g., a spiral via D3.js), the Logseq community on Discord/Reddit is active for requests. For Roam-to-Logseq migration tips, check import guides on logseq.com. Let me know if you want setup scripts or comparisons!### Alternatives to Nautilus (roam-depot-nautilus) in Logseq
Nautilus is a Roam Research extension that provides a visual spiral timeline for daily task planning, integrating events (fixed times), tasks (with durations and progress), and automatic forward-pushing of unfinished items based on the current time. It emphasizes reducing overwhelm through a dynamic, energy-aware layout (e.g., spiral shape reflecting diminishing daily focus).
Logseq, being an open-source outliner with strong query and plugin support, doesn't have an exact 1:1 replica of Nautilus's spiral visualization. However, it offers robust alternatives via built-in features (like journal queries and blocks) and plugins for timeline-based task management, calendars, and visual boards. These can approximate Nautilus's functionality: dynamic daily views, task durations/progress, priority marking, and time-based pushing (via queries or automation).
I've curated the top alternatives below, focusing on plugins and native tools that handle visual task/event planning. All are free/open-source unless noted. Installation is straightforward via Logseq's Plugins menu (Settings > Plugins > Marketplace). Search for the plugin name there.
Comparison Table
| Alternative | Description | Key Features Mimicking Nautilus | Pros vs. Nautilus | Cons vs. Nautilus | Installation/Setup |
|---|
| Logseq Timeline Plugin | Renders a horizontal timeline of journal entries, tasks, and events with drag-and-drop reordering. | Visual timeline for daily/weekly views; supports task durations (via properties like duration: 10m); progress tracking (e.g., /todo with done::true); auto-refreshes based on current date/time. Use queries to push unfinished tasks forward. | More interactive (zoom/drag); integrates natively with Logseq's bi-directional links; customizable via CSS for "spiral-like" curves if advanced. | Linear timeline (not spiral); no built-in energy spiral or auto-push without queries. | Install from Marketplace: Search "Timeline". Add {{timeline}} in a journal block. Set durations in block properties. |
| Logseq Calendar Plugin | Embeddable calendar view that pulls tasks/events from journals, with color-coding and time slots. | Fixed events (e.g., 12:30-14:20 Meeting parsed as blocks); task durations/progress (using properties like effort: 20min and progress: 50%); red priority via tags (e.g., #urgent); dynamic view of today's unfinished items. | Full calendar integration (monthly/weekly); mobile-friendly; auto-updates on journal changes. | Grid-based (not spiral); requires property setup for durations (no shorthand like "10m"). | Install "Calendar" from Marketplace. Insert {{calendar}} or {{renderer calendar}} in daily journal. Use advanced queries for task pushing: e.g., {{query (and (task not done) (page today))}}. |
| Logseq Gantt Plugin | Gantt chart renderer for project timelines, adaptable for daily task planning. | Bar-based visual for tasks/events with start/end times; durations (e.g., start: now, duration: 45min); progress bars (0-100%); dependencies to "push" tasks after events; color overrides (blue/yellow/gray/red). | Great for sequential planning; exports to SVG; handles variabilities like Nautilus. | More project-oriented (horizontal bars); less "daily page" focus without customization. | Install "Gantt" or "Logseq Gantt Chart" from Marketplace. Use in a block: {{gantt ...}} with YAML config for tasks. Combine with journal queries for auto-population. |
| Logseq Kanban Plugin | Board-style view for tasks, with lanes for "To Do/In Progress/Done" and timeline overlays. | Drag tasks between states; add durations/progress as properties; event blocks as fixed "cards"; priority colors (red via tags); queries to filter/show only today's unfinished items. | Highly visual and reorderable; supports "push forward" via automation scripts; integrates with TODOs. | Card-based (not timeline/spiral); better for agile than strict time slots. | Install "Kanban" from Marketplace. Create a page with {{kanban}} and link journal tasks. For time-pushing: Use {{query (task today)}} to populate dynamically. |
| Built-in Queries + Whiteboards (Native) | Use Logseq's query language and whiteboard canvas for a custom visual planner—no plugin needed. | Dynamic task lists with durations/progress (e.g., query: (and (task) (property duration) (not done))); embed on whiteboard for visual layout; current-time filtering via page: {{today}}; color via CSS (e.g., red for #urgent). | Zero dependencies; fully customizable (add spiral via SVG embeds or plugins like Draw.io); privacy-focused like Logseq. | Requires setup (no out-of-box visual); manual for spiral/energy aspects. | No install. In journal: Add query block like {{query [[Queries]]}} where Queries page has your task filter. For visual: Create a whiteboard page, embed queries, and arrange blocks. Extend with "Logseq Draw" plugin for custom shapes. |
| Logseq Advanced Tables Plugin | Table-based renderer with timeline sorting, for structured daily agendas. | Sort tasks by time/duration; columns for progress (e.g., 50%), status colors; auto-populate from journal; "push" via sorted queries showing remaining time slots. | Simple for event-task mixing; exportable; lightweight. | Tabular (not graphical spiral); less immersive visualization. | Install "Advanced Tables" from Marketplace. Use in block: {{table ...}} with properties. Query integration for dynamic updates. |
Recommendations
- Closest to Nautilus's Visual Flow: Start with Logseq Timeline or Gantt for the time-based rendering—add custom CSS (via Settings > Appearance > Custom CSS) to curve timelines into a pseudo-spiral if you're handy with code.
- For Quick Setup: Use the Calendar Plugin combined with Logseq's native TODO properties (e.g., set scheduled:: for events, effort:: 10m for tasks). It handles "present moment threshold" via date filters.
- Progress and Automation: All support Logseq's built-in task states (TODO/DONE) and properties. For auto-timestamps on completion (like Nautilus + TODO Trigger), enable Logseq's "Journal auto timestamps" in Settings, or pair with the "Logseq Auto Task" plugin.
- Customization Tips: Logseq's plugin API allows forking/extending these (e.g., GitHub repos like logseq-timeline). If none fit perfectly, check the Logseq Discord or r/logseq for community scripts—users have shared "daily spiral" experiments using D3.js embeds.
- Migration Note: Export Roam tasks as Markdown and import to Logseq journals; properties like durations transfer easily.