> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.znift.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Natural time input

> Type "2h 30m" or "3pm" in the duration or due-time field. Znift parses both without pickers.

## What it is

Natural time input lets you specify how long a task takes (**duration**) or when it's due (**due time**) by typing a short string in the task edit dialog. No date picker, no dropdown — the parser reads the string and stores the result as structured data.

## When to use it

Open any task in the edit dialog and fill the **Duration** or **Due time** field to attach a time. Typing `30m` is always faster than clicking through a picker, especially when you already know what you want.

## How to use it

1. Create the task (see [Quick log](/features/quick-log)).
2. Open the task to show the edit dialog.
3. In the **Duration** field, type a supported duration string.
4. In the **Due time** field, type a supported time-of-day string.

### Duration formats

| You type | Parsed as         |
| -------- | ----------------- |
| `2h`     | 2 hours           |
| `30m`    | 30 minutes        |
| `1h 30m` | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| `90 min` | 90 minutes        |

### Due time formats

| You type  | Parsed as      |
| --------- | -------------- |
| `3pm`     | Today at 15:00 |
| `3:30 PM` | Today at 15:30 |
| `15:00`   | Today at 15:00 |
| `noon`    | Today at 12:00 |

## Example

You create a task "Draft release notes." Open it, set Duration to `45 min`, and Due time to `2pm`.

Znift stores:

* **Text:** "Draft release notes"
* **Duration:** 45 minutes
* **Due time:** 14:00 today

## How storage works

All times are stored in UTC. The UI converts to your local timezone for display. Parsing is handled by the `@znift/time-utils` package, which is shared between the web app, the API, and the MCP server — so natural time input works identically whether you type it in the app, submit it via REST, or hand it to an AI agent.

## Related

* [Quick log](/features/quick-log) — create the task first, then attach duration or due time in the edit dialog.
* [Reminders](/features/reminders) — fire before the due time you set here.
* [Google Calendar](/integrations/google-calendar) — tasks with a due time sync to your calendar.