BEFORE THE TIMER / UNTANGLE THE ORDER
What has to happen
before you can begin?
Sometimes a list feels stuck because its tasks are in the wrong order. Name up to four actions and tell this tool what each one depends on.
A planning aid, not an ADHD assessment or treatment. The tool uses only the dependencies you enter.
Give each action its prerequisites
Use A, B, C or D separated by commas. Leave prerequisites blank when an action can start now. A blank task is ignored unless another task needs it.
A valid plan can be saved as a text file on your device. It includes your action names and prerequisites, so choose a private place to keep it. Editing any field clears the previous result and download. Nothing is sent or transferred into Now.
Waiting on a reply or missing a file?
The order can be clear while the next action is still blocked. Answer up to three questions to choose a specific request, a search step, an independent action or a check-back cue. The result can be downloaded or printed.
Choose an available next action →
Embed this decision helper
Publishers may embed or share this original Honest Little Apps companion with credit. It works without an account, cookies or input storage. Its optional text download contains the selected answers. Normal hosting access logs may apply.
<iframe src="https://udrwu9c0tjuedqy2.github.io/hla-focus/now/task-dependency-sorter/unblock-next.html" title="Blocked-task next-action helper" loading="lazy" style="width:100%;height:760px;border:1px solid #9ba99e;border-radius:10px"></iframe>Use the iframe as shown. A host-added sandbox can block downloads, new tabs or printing. For a link-only format, share the standalone helper. Read the selected result before choosing any follow-up action. This page does not send requests or set reminders.
Why are both actions waiting?
Watch a 15-second example from the browser sorter. The two actions and the sorter’s results are reformatted for the clip.
Read the transcript
A is “Write the reply” and must follow B. B is “Read the request” and must follow A. The sorter reports a circular dependency. Reading can happen before a reply exists, so clear B’s prerequisite and sort again. B can start now. One valid order is B, read the request, then A, write the reply.
MAKE THE RESULT USEFUL
A dependency is a real prerequisite, not a preference.
“Review the figures” needs the file first. “Choose a title” might not. Avoid linking tasks just because you usually do them in that order.
If the result finds a loop, two or more tasks are waiting on each other. Change the work: write a rough draft before asking for final feedback, for example. Removing a prerequisite in the tool does not remove the real-world constraint.
The output is one valid order, not a priority ranking or schedule. When several tasks are ready, choose the one you can take a small concrete step on.
THE NEXT STEP
Turn the first available action into a two-minute start.
Now offers an editable first step, a one-task screen and a free two-minute starter. Use its brain dump for loose tasks and its waiting parking lot for work that cannot move yet.
Get Now on the App Store ↗Core starter tools are free. Pro adds routines, longer Time Mirror history, task-history CSV and cosmetic options. Check the current App Store listing.
Publisher disclosure: Honest Little Apps publishes Now and this companion resource. This is not an independent review. App details checked November 4, 2026.
Give the next task a finish line.
If one step runs unattended, compare hands-on and elapsed time to see when an independent task can overlap.
Once the dependency is clear, use the personal task definition-of-done worksheet to decide what a completed pass looks like and what can wait.
Useful for someone else?
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