📖Reference: Auto-scheduling

Introduction

Auto-Scheduling is Motion’s system for placing tasks onto your calendar automatically based on defined parameters and constraints. Instead of manually arranging work, Motion optimizes task placement by considering deadlines, priorities, durations, and existing calendar events. This reference defines the scheduling models, parameters, behaviors, and edge cases that govern how Auto-Scheduling operates.

At a Glance

Tasks are placed on your calendar automatically based on duration, start date, deadline, priority, effort, chunking, schedules, and existing events — adapting dynamically as your day changes.

What Auto-Scheduling considers

• Duration → How long the task will take.

• Start date → The earliest date a task can begin.

• Deadline → The latest time a task must be completed.

• Priority → The relative importance compared to other tasks.

• Duration → Total hours required if the task spans multiple blocks.

• Chunking → Long tasks are split into min chunks to fit available time.

• Schedule → Motion respects user-defined working schedules, breaks, and availability.

• Calendar events → Meetings and personal events on 'My Calendars' are treated as unavailable time.

Scheduling models

• Unidirectional → Tasks sync one-way: tasks scheduled in Motion appear in external calendars (e.g., Google and Outlook), but tasks created externally do not appear in Motion.

• Bidirectional → Events sync both ways: events created in an external calendar show in Motion, and events created in Motion show in the external calendar.

Manual vs Auto-Scheduling

• Manual → Users drag and place tasks directly on the calendar.

• Auto → Motion dynamically optimizes placement based on constraints and parameters.

System behavior

• Tasks are placed dynamically across available time when auto-scheduling is turned on.

• Past-due tasks are automatically rescheduled or surfaced as overdue.

• ETA indicators act as “beacons,” showing when deadlines may be at risk.

  • If a task can’t fit, Motion flags it with a warning.

• Motion’s predictive engine adjusts scheduling across projects and tasks as constraints change.

Conclusion

Auto-Scheduling is Motion’s core system for dynamically managing tasks. By considering parameters like duration, deadlines, priority, schedules, and calendar events, Motion places work where it fits best and continuously adapts as your day changes. Clear rules around models, limits, and troubleshooting ensure that users always know why a task is (or isn’t) scheduled.

Key Takeaway

Manual scheduling offers control, but Auto-Scheduling delivers adaptability and efficiency. Motion’s engine keeps tasks aligned with your real schedule so you can focus on doing the work not rearranging it.