How to View GitHub and Jira Tasks in One List Without Switching Apps: Step-by-Step Guide to Centralize Everything in Foco

If you manage multiple projects at once —like GitHub issues, Jira tasks, or Asana projects— you know how frustrating it is to jump between apps just to see what’s next. How to view GitHub and Jira tasks in one list without switching apps isn’t just a common question: it’s the key to regaining control. The solution isn’t to use more tools, but one that unifies what you already have scattered across platforms. In this guide, we’ll show you step by step how to centralize everything in one place, without losing the context of each project.

Why You Need a Single List for GitHub, Jira, and Asana

Imagine this: you have 3 assigned issues in GitHub, 5 pending tickets in Jira, and 2 Asana projects with urgent tasks. Each app shows its own list, but none tells you what to prioritize today when everything competes for your attention. Constantly switching between tabs or apps doesn’t just fragment your focus — it increases the risk of missing something critical. The typical alternative — using a spreadsheet or a notes app — fails because it doesn’t update automatically or maintain the context of each task (is this for client A or B? Is it due today or next week?).

The problem isn’t the number of tasks, but the lack of a system that organizes them based on how you work, not how the tools you use are structured.

Step 1: Prepare Your Tools for Connection

1.1. Check Access Permissions

Before connecting GitHub, Jira, or Asana to Foco, ensure you have the necessary permissions to access the issues or tasks you want to centralize. In GitHub, verify you’re a collaborator on the repository; in Jira, that you have access to the project; and in Asana, that you’re a team member. If you work with external clients, ask them to grant you the required permissions or invite you as a collaborator.

1.2. Decide What to Bring into Foco

Not every GitHub issue or Jira task deserves a place in your main list. For example, you can filter only the issues assigned to you in GitHub (using the filter assignee:your-username) or high-priority tickets in Jira. In Asana, choose specific projects instead of importing the entire workspace. This prevents your list from becoming cluttered with irrelevant tasks.

Step 2: Connect GitHub, Jira, and Asana to Foco

2.1. Access Connections in Foco

Open Foco and go to Settings > Connections. Here, you’ll see the available integrations: GitHub, Jira, Asana, and others. Select the one you want to set up and click Connect. A window will open for you to log in with your external tool account and authorize access. Foco uses OAuth, so it doesn’t store your credentials.

2.2. Configure the 'Destination Work'

Each connection in Foco has a 'destination work': the container where imported tasks will be created. You have two options:

• Automatic: Foco decides where to place each task based on its content (for example, a GitHub issue with the word 'frontend' might go into a work called 'Web Development').
• Fixed Work: All tasks from that connection will go into a specific work you choose (e.g., 'Client X - GitHub'). This is useful if you want to group all tasks from a client or project in one place.

2.3. Enable 'Complete Also in Origin'

If you enable this option, completing a task in Foco that came from GitHub, Jira, or Asana will automatically close or comment on the original item. For example, if you mark a Jira task as done in Foco, the ticket in Jira will move to 'Done' status or add a comment indicating it’s completed. This avoids having to update tasks twice.

Step 3: Organize Imported Tasks in Foco

3.1. Use Panorama Mode to See Everything Together

In Foco, Panorama mode shows all your tasks in a single list, each with the color of its work. For example, GitHub tasks might be blue, Jira tasks green, and Asana tasks orange. At a glance, you’ll know where each task comes from and which project it belongs to. You can filter by due date, priority, or tags to focus on what’s urgent.

3.2. Customize Views Based on Your Workflow

Foco offers three views you can switch between with one click:

• List: Groups tasks by date (Today, This Week, Later, No Date) and shows a collapsible section for completed tasks. Ideal for prioritizing by deadlines.
• Kanban: Customizable columns (e.g., 'To Do', 'In Progress', 'Review', 'Done'). On desktop, drag and drop tasks; on mobile, use tabs. Useful for agile workflows.
• Calendar: Shows tasks with a due date in a weekly or monthly view (desktop) or daily view (mobile). Perfect for planning time blocks.

3.3. Add Context to Imported Tasks

Tasks imported from GitHub, Jira, or Asana arrive with their title and description, but you can enrich them in Foco. For example:

• Add a due date (when you’ll work on the task) and a deadline (the final due date).
• Assign a priority (normal, important, or urgent) to highlight critical tasks.
• Use tags to categorize (e.g., 'bug', 'improvement', 'documentation').
• Attach notes with additional details, like screenshots or voice recordings.

Step 4: Keep Tasks Synchronized

Foco isn’t a static mirror of GitHub, Jira, or Asana: it updates tasks automatically when changes occur in the source. For example, if someone modifies the deadline of a Jira ticket, Foco will reflect that in your list. However, there are two things to keep in mind:

• Changes you make in Foco won’t reflect in the source unless you enable 'Complete also in origin'.
• If you delete a task in Foco, it won’t be deleted in the source (it will only be removed from your list).

Comparison: Foco vs. Asana for Managing Multiple Projects

If you already use Asana to manage projects, you might wonder why you’d need another tool. The answer depends on how you work:

When Asana Is Enough

Asana is a great option if:

• You work on one team or project at a time.
• You need advanced features like Timeline (Gantt), custom fields, or automations (available from the Starter plan, starting at 10.99 USD/user/month billed annually).
• You collaborate with a fixed group of people and don’t exceed the 2-user limit of the free plan.

When Foco Wins for Multiple Projects

Foco is designed for those who manage multiple projects or clients at once and need:

• Centralize tasks from multiple tools (GitHub, Jira, Asana, etc.) in one list, without switching apps. Asana doesn’t allow importing GitHub issues or Jira tickets automatically; you’d have to copy them manually or use third-party integrations.
• Avoid paying for unnecessary seats: Asana’s Starter plan requires a minimum of 2 users (21.98 USD/month billed annually), even if you work alone. Foco has no minimums: you pay only for your account (from 4 EUR/month).
• Work with visual context: In Foco, each task shows the color of its work, helping you quickly identify whether it’s for client A, B, or a personal project. Asana doesn’t have this native feature.
• Automate task capture: With Foco’s Plus plan (20 EUR/month), you can forward emails to your personal address u-xxxx@in.heyfoco.com and convert them into tasks automatically, or use voice capture to create tasks with AI. Asana doesn’t offer email or voice capture with automatic transcription.

The Asana prices mentioned are as published on 2026-07-09 and may change. Foco, on the other hand, offers a permanent Free plan with unlimited works and tasks, and its paid plans don’t require a minimum number of users.

Step 5: Optimize Your Workflow with Foco

5.1. Use the Daily Briefing to Start Your Day

If you have Foco’s Plus plan, enable the daily briefing. At the time you choose, Foco will generate a summary with:

• What tasks you progressed the previous day.
• What needs attention today (urgent tasks or those with approaching deadlines).
• What others owe you (tasks assigned to others in your projects).
• Updates from your calendar and the day’s most impactful movement.

5.2. Leverage Voice Capture and Burst

Instead of manually noting tasks, use voice capture: dictate a task (e.g., 'Review GitHub issue #123 for client X, urgent priority, due tomorrow at 10 AM') and Foco will create it with the detected date, time, and priority. With Burst, you can dictate multiple tasks in a row, and Foco will separate them automatically. The Free plan includes 5 uses per month; the Plus plan offers unlimited uses.

Conclusion: Fewer Apps, More Focus

How to view GitHub and Jira tasks in one list without switching apps isn’t just about convenience: it’s about regaining control over your time. Centralizing everything in Foco lets you see the big picture, prioritize with context, and avoid the fatigue of constantly switching between tools. If you manage multiple projects or clients, the key isn’t to use more apps, but one that adapts to how you work — not the other way around.