v3 Coming Soon

Build custom checklists in Things from a master list.

I created this to make it easier to build checklists for all the gear I’d need for a shoot. Here’s how it works:

You start with a master list of all your gear. This list is in Markdown format, and can either live in Bear, or as a text file in iCloud Drive. When you first run Gear Checklist, a template master list is created for you.
When you run the Shortcut, it asks you for a project name, and a prep date.
It then goes through the master list, category by category, and presents you with a menu for each, where you can select the items you’ll need for the project.
Items ending in (prep) will be tagged with the due date. I put (prep) on cameras that need setup, batteries that need charging, cards or drives that need formatting, etc.
There’s also the opportunity to add any additional items that aren’t on the master list.
Lastly, you have the option to create a second, matching checklist for packing up when the project is complete. This one omits the Prep category.
When you’re done making these selections, the Shortcut creates a Project in Things with all your chosen gear in neat categories.

Notes:

Things is an elegant to-do list app from Cultured Code. It is simple, but powerful, and offers great Siri and Shortcuts integration. Gear Checklist isn’t useful without Things installed.
Bear is a great app for writing, taking notes, and keeping lists like this. I run it in Markdown-compatibility mode. Bear looks great and has excellent integration with Siri and Shortcuts. It’s free to download and use, and you can use Gear Checklist with the free version. Sync and other features require a subscription.
If you don’t want to use Bear, you can opt to keep your Master List as a text file in your iCloud Drive. This file is securely private to your Apple account, and syncs to your other Apple devices. You can edit it with any number of writing apps.
Whether you chose Bear or iCloud Drive, when you first run Gear Checklist, a sample Master List will be created for you. It’s then up to you to edit it. You can rename the categories and add your own. You don’t even have to use it for “gear” at all.
This Shortcut keeps a tiny settings file on your iCloud Drive. If you move or delete it, the next time you run Gear Checklist, you’ll be taken through the initial setup process again.

Changelog

Version 1.0 released, requires Drafts and Things Parser
Version 2.0 removes the requirements of Drafts and Things Parser. The shortcut now creates the Things project(s) on its own.