How to Consolidate Tasks from GitHub, Jira, Asana, Linear, and Emails in One Place Without Migrating Data

Juggling multiple projects—whether as a freelancer, solopreneur, or remote team member—means constantly switching between tools: GitHub for pull requests, Jira for issues, Asana for client tasks, Linear for sprints, and email for urgent requests. Every context switch drains time and focus, and the worst part is that tasks end up scattered. The solution isn’t migrating everything to a single platform (impossible if you work with clients who use different tools), but grouping tasks from multiple apps in one place without migrating data. This way, you keep each project’s workflow intact while gaining a unified view to prioritize and act without losing track.

Why consolidate tasks in one place (and why a generic app isn’t enough)

Using a notes app or spreadsheet to centralize tasks might seem practical at first, but it fails in three key ways when managing multiple jobs:

• Lack of context: A task like 'Review PR #42' doesn’t tell you if it’s for Client A or Project B, or whether it’s due today or in two weeks. In a flat list, everything looks the same.
• No automatic sync: Manually copying tasks from GitHub, Jira, or Asana is tedious and error-prone. If someone updates the status in the original tool, your list becomes outdated.
• No calendar integration: Deadlines or time blocks for working on a task don’t appear in your agenda, leading to overlaps or missed deadlines.

Foco Plus solves this by automatically pulling tasks from GitHub, Jira, Asana, and Linear into one dashboard, without requiring you to migrate data or abandon the original tools. Each task retains its context (project, client, deadline) and updates in real time. Plus, you can view them alongside your Google Calendar or Outlook events, allowing you to plan your day with a complete picture.

Step-by-Step: How to Group Tasks from Multiple Apps in Foco Plus

1. Connect your tools with one click (no complex APIs)

Foco Plus uses OAuth to connect to your GitHub, Jira, Asana, and Linear accounts. This means you don’t need to generate tokens or configure APIs—just log in with your credentials (or SSO), and Foco accesses only the data you permit. The process is secure and reversible: you can disconnect a tool anytime from the settings.

To get started:

• Go to Settings > Connections and select the tool you want to connect (e.g., GitHub).
• Log in with your account. Foco will request specific permissions (e.g., read issues assigned to you in GitHub).
• Choose a destination work for tasks from that tool. You can assign a fixed work (e.g., 'Client X - Development') or let Foco’s AI decide automatically based on the task content.

2. Configure how tasks are imported (and avoid duplicates)

Each tool has its own structure. For example, in GitHub, a task might be an issue or a pull request, while in Asana, it’s a task with subtasks. Foco adapts these elements to its standard format but gives you control over how they’re imported:

• Title: Copies the original name (e.g., 'Fix login bug in mobile app').
• Start date: If the task has a start date or deadline in the original tool, Foco assigns it as the 'start date' (the day you should work on it). If not, it remains undated.
• Due date: Takes the deadline from the original tool (e.g., 'Due date' in Asana or 'Deadline' in Jira).
• Priority: Foco maps the tool’s priorities to its system (normal, important, urgent). For example, a 'P0' in Jira becomes 'urgent'.
• Status: New tasks arrive as 'To Do'. If they’re already in progress in the original tool, they’re marked as 'Doing'.
• Assignees: If the task is assigned to you in the original tool, Foco assigns you as the owner. If there are other collaborators, they’re added as additional assignees (only if they’re invited to that work in Foco).

A key detail: If you enable the 'Complete also in origin' option, marking a task as done in Foco will automatically close it in the original tool (e.g., a GitHub issue will switch to 'Closed'). This avoids updating statuses in two places.

3. Organize tasks by work (and filter out noise)

Once imported, tasks appear in Panorama mode, where you see them all at once, each with its work’s color. This gives you a global view, but if you need to focus on one project, switch to Focus mode, and the dashboard filters only that work’s tasks.

To group tasks by context:

• Use the List view to see pending tasks sorted by start date (Today, This Week, Later). You can also group by due date if you prefer prioritizing deadlines.
• In the Kanban view, drag tasks between customizable columns (e.g., 'To Do', 'In Progress', 'Blocked', 'Done'). On mobile, columns are swipeable tabs.
• In the Calendar view, see tasks alongside your Google Calendar or Outlook events. Tasks with start dates appear as time blocks, and those with deadlines appear as due dates.

4. Add tasks from emails without copy-pasting

Emails with requests or reminders often fall through the cracks. With Foco Plus, each user gets a unique capture email address (e.g., u-xxxx@in.heyfoco.com). Forward an email to that address, and Foco automatically extracts a task with:

• The email subject as the task title.
• The email body attached as a note (with original formatting).
• The email’s date and time as the start date (if the text mentions a deadline, Foco detects it and assigns it as the due date).

Example: If you receive an email with the subject 'Review proposal for Client Y - deadline 10/15' and forward it to your capture address, Foco creates a task titled 'Review proposal for Client Y' with a due date of October 15 and the email attached as a note.

5. Use AI to capture tasks from meetings or voice notes

Beyond tool integrations, Foco Plus includes AI features to capture tasks on the go:

• Burst: Dictate multiple tasks in a row (e.g., 'Review PR #42 for Client X, due tomorrow; call supplier Y to confirm delivery, urgent; update Project Z documentation'). Foco splits the audio into individual tasks and detects dates, priorities, and recurrences. When you stop, it shows the list for review before saving.
• Listen mode: Record a meeting, and Foco transcribes the audio, saving the recording and transcript as an attached note. It doesn’t create tasks automatically (to avoid noise), but you can review the transcript and manually extract action items.

Foco vs. Asana: Why Consolidating Tasks in Foco Works Better for Multiple Jobs

Asana is a powerful tool for project management, but it has limitations when juggling multiple jobs or clients:

• Free plan limits: Only allows 2 users, making it impractical to collaborate with multiple clients without paying. If you work alone, you can’t use Asana for free to manage tasks from multiple projects.
• Minimum 2 seats for paid plans: The Starter plan (10.99 USD/user/month annually) requires paying for at least 2 users, even if you only need one seat. This increases costs for independent workers.
• No native integration with technical tools: Asana doesn’t connect natively with GitHub, Jira, or Linear. To bring tasks from these platforms, you’d need third-party integrations (like Zapier) or manual copying, adding complexity.
• No voice capture or AI: Asana lacks features for dictating tasks, transcribing meetings, or automatically extracting information from emails.

Foco, on the other hand, is designed to group tasks from multiple apps in one place without migrating data, with a focus on individual or small-team productivity. Its key advantages:

• Permanent Free plan: Allows unlimited works and tasks, list and kanban views, and voice capture (with limits). No user or project restrictions.
• Native connections to GitHub, Jira, Asana, and Linear: Tasks import automatically and update in real time, without external APIs.
• Email and voice capture: Extracts tasks from forwarded emails or voice notes, with AI detecting dates, priorities, and deadlines.
• Unified view with calendar: Tasks appear alongside your Google Calendar or Outlook events, helping you plan your day with a complete picture.
• Per-user pricing: The Plus plan costs 20 EUR/month (no seat minimum), making it more accessible for freelancers or solopreneurs.

Asana remains a good option if you manage complex projects with large teams and don’t need to integrate technical tools. But if your priority is grouping tasks from multiple apps in one place without migrating data and using AI to save time, Foco is the more efficient choice.

Practical Example: A Day in the Life of a Freelance Developer

Imagine you’re a freelance developer working on three projects simultaneously: one with a client using Asana, another with a team using Jira, and a personal project on GitHub. Here’s how your workflow would look with Foco Plus:

• Morning: Open Foco and see in Panorama mode all your tasks for the day, each with its project’s color. An urgent Jira task (red) appears alongside a GitHub PR review (blue) and an Asana client meeting (green).
• Work block: Switch to Focus mode for the Jira project and work on those tasks without distractions. Use the Kanban view to move issues between columns.
• Meeting: Enable Listen mode to record the call with the Asana client. Later, review the transcript and extract two new tasks, adding them to the corresponding work.
• Urgent email: Receive an email with a last-minute request. Forward it to your capture address (u-xxxx@in.heyfoco.com), and Foco creates a task with the email attached and the detected due date.
• End of day: Review the daily briefing generated by Foco, summarizing what you accomplished, what’s due tomorrow, and which tasks are blocked. Marking a task as done in Foco automatically closes the issue in Jira, thanks to the 'Complete also in origin' option.

Productivity isn’t about doing more things, but doing the right things at the right time—without wasting time switching tools or copying information manually.

Conclusion: Fewer Context Switches, More Focus

Constantly switching between GitHub, Jira, Asana, Linear, and email isn’t just exhausting—it fragments your attention and increases the risk of forgetting tasks. Grouping tasks from multiple apps in one place without migrating data lets you keep each project’s workflow intact while gaining a unified view to prioritize and act.

Foco Plus isn’t a tool for managing a single project; it’s for those juggling multiple jobs who need a flexible command center. With native integrations, email and voice capture, and AI features, it eliminates the friction of tool-switching and helps you focus on what matters: making progress without losing control.

If you want to try consolidating your tasks in one place, you can start with Foco’s Free plan and explore the basic features. When you’re ready to integrate GitHub, Jira, Asana, or Linear, the Plus plan will give you the tools to do it effortlessly.

FAQ

Can I group tasks from multiple apps in one place without paying?

Yes, with Foco’s Free plan, you can create unlimited works and tasks, use list and kanban views, and capture tasks by voice (with limits). However, connections to GitHub, Jira, Asana, Linear, and email capture are only available in the Plus plan (20 EUR/month).

What happens if a task updates in the original tool (e.g., Jira)?

Foco automatically syncs changes to imported tasks. If someone modifies the title, due date, or status in Jira, GitHub, or Asana, the task updates in Foco in real time. If you enable 'Complete also in origin,' marking a task as done in Foco will also close it in the original tool.

Can I assign tasks to other collaborators in Foco?

Yes, but only to people you’ve invited to that specific work. You can assign them individual tasks or share a task via a public link (which doesn’t grant access to the rest of Foco). Collaboration is available in the Foco (4 EUR/month) and Plus (20 EUR/month) plans.

Does Foco store a copy of my GitHub, Jira, or Asana data?

No. Foco accesses your data via OAuth and only displays tasks assigned to you or where you’re mentioned. It doesn’t store a permanent copy: if you disconnect a tool, tasks imported from that platform disappear from Foco (but remain in the original tool).

Can I use Foco to manage personal tasks alongside work tasks?

Yes. Foco is designed to handle multiple jobs, including personal tasks. You can create a work called 'Home' or 'Personal' and add tasks just like any other project. The views and features (list, kanban, calendar) work the same for all works.