How to use the command icalBuddy (with examples)

icalBuddy is a command-line utility for printing events and tasks from the macOS calendar database. It allows users to access calendar information and retrieve specific events and tasks based on various criteria.

Use case 1: Show events later today

Code:

icalBuddy --includeOnlyEventsFromNowOn eventsToday

Motivation:

This use case is useful when you want to quickly see the upcoming events scheduled for later in the day. It eliminates the need to manually scroll through your calendar to find this information.

Explanation:

• --includeOnlyEventsFromNowOn: Specifies that only events occurring after the current time should be included in the output.
• eventsToday: Specifies that the command should retrieve events scheduled for today.

Example output:

Event: Meeting with client
Start Date: 2022-05-10 14:00
End Date: 2022-05-10 15:00
Location: Zoom

Event: Team Stand-up
Start Date: 2022-05-10 15:30
End Date: 2022-05-10 16:00
Location: Office

Use case 2: Show uncompleted tasks

Code:

icalBuddy uncompletedTasks

Motivation:

This use case is helpful when you want to quickly view all your pending tasks. It allows you to identify unfinished tasks and prioritize your work accordingly.

Explanation:

• uncompletedTasks: Specifies that the command should retrieve all uncompleted tasks from the calendar database.

Example output:

Task: Complete project proposal
Due Date: 2022-05-15
Priority: High

Task: Send report to manager
Due Date: 2022-05-12
Priority: Medium

Use case 3: Show a formatted list separated by calendar for all events today

Code:

icalBuddy --formatOutput --separateByCalendar eventsToday

Motivation:

This use case is useful when you want to see a structured list of events for the day, grouped by the respective calendars they belong to. It provides a clear overview of your schedule and helps in organizing your time effectively.

Explanation:

• --formatOutput: Specifies that the output should be formatted in a user-friendly way.
• --separateByCalendar: Instructs the command to separate the events based on the calendar they are associated with.
• eventsToday: Specifies that the command should retrieve events scheduled for today.

Example output:

Calendar: Personal
Event: Yoga Class
Start Date: 2022-05-10 10:00
End Date: 2022-05-10 11:00

Calendar: Work
Event: Meeting with client
Start Date: 2022-05-10 14:00
End Date: 2022-05-10 15:00

Use case 4: Show tasks for a specified number of days

Code:

icalBuddy --includeOnlyEventsFromNowOn "tasksDueBefore:today+8"

Motivation:

This use case is helpful when you want to view tasks that are due within a specific timeframe. It allows you to plan and allocate your time effectively to complete those tasks before their respective due dates.

Explanation:

• --includeOnlyEventsFromNowOn: Specifies that only tasks occurring after the current time should be included in the output.
• "tasksDueBefore:today+8": Defines the criterion for selecting tasks that are due within the next 8 days.

Example output:

Task: Complete project proposal
Due Date: 2022-05-15
Priority: High

Task: Send report to manager
Due Date: 2022-05-12
Priority: Medium

Use case 5: Show events in a time range

Code:

icalBuddy eventsFrom:start_date to:end_date

Motivation:

This use case is beneficial when you want to view events that fall within a specific time range. It helps you focus on a particular period and see what events are scheduled during that time.

Explanation:

• eventsFrom:start_date: Specifies the start date from which events should be included in the output.
• to:end_date: Specifies the end date until which events should be included in the output.

Example output:

Event: Team Stand-up
Start Date: 2022-05-12 09:00
End Date: 2022-05-12 09:30
Location: Office

Event: Project Kickoff Meeting
Start Date: 2022-05-12 14:00
End Date: 2022-05-12 15:00
Location: Zoom

Conclusion:

icalBuddy is a powerful command-line utility that provides convenient access to macOS calendar information. Its various use cases cater to different needs, allowing users to retrieve specific events and tasks based on their requirements. Whether you want to view upcoming events, uncompleted tasks, or events within a particular time range, icalBuddy proves to be a handy tool for managing your calendar effectively.