Task Attachments
Upload files, set cover images from Unsplash or your library, preview images and PDFs in-app, and sync attachments across devices - all stored locally and available offline.
Every task in PrimeTask can have file attachments and a cover image. Attachments let you keep reference material - documents, screenshots, spreadsheets, code files, videos, audio - right alongside the task it belongs to. Cover images give your task cards a visual identity in Board View and other views.
Because PrimeTask is a desktop app, all attachments are stored locally on your device. They work offline with no internet connection needed. If you use File Sync or iCloud Sync, attachments sync automatically to your other devices in the background.
What you can do
Upload files
by dragging and dropping or browsing your file system
Attach any file type
images, PDFs, documents, videos, audio, spreadsheets, archives, code files, and more
Preview images and PDFs
directly inside PrimeTask without opening another app
Open files with your default app
PDFs open in Preview or Acrobat, spreadsheets in Excel or Numbers, and so on
Download attachments
to save a copy elsewhere
Reveal a file in Finder or Explorer
to see where it's stored on disk
Delete attachments
with confirmation - the file is permanently removed from disk
Set a cover image
for the task - upload your own, pick from your library, or search Unsplash
See cover images on task cards
in Board View, List View, and other views
Manage a per-Space cover library
that collects all cover images you've used
Sync attachments
across devices via File Sync or iCloud (macOS)
Work offline
all attachments are stored locally and load instantly
How to add attachments
From the Task Details Page
Step 1
Open the task's Task Details Page
Step 2
Scroll to the Attachments section
Step 3
Drag and drop files onto the upload area, or click browse to pick files from your file system
Step 4
The file uploads instantly and appears in the attachment list
You can upload multiple files at once.
From the task creation or edit modal
When creating or editing a task, the modal includes an Attachments section with the same drag-and-drop upload area. Files you add here are saved when the task is created or updated.
Images pasted into the description
You can paste images directly into the task's description editor (see Task Notes). Pasted images are embedded inline in the rich text content - they're separate from the Attachments section. Use pasted description images for inline context (screenshots, diagrams) and the Attachments section for files you want to manage, download, or open separately.
How to set a cover image
Cover images appear at the top of task cards, giving your tasks a visual identity across views.
Step 1
Right-click a task card in any view, or open the task and look for the cover image option
Step 2
The cover picker opens with two tabs: - Library - shows a From this task's notes section at the top listing any images and YouTube videos already embedded in the task's description, followed by images you've previously used as covers in this Space and any covers currently set on other tasks. Pick any one to reuse it. - Unsplash - search Unsplash for high-quality photos. PrimeTask asks for your consent before connecting to Unsplash. Once granted, search by keyword and pick an image - it's downloaded and saved locally.
Step 3
You can also click Upload to pick a custom image from your file system
Step 4
Click Apply Cover to set it, or Remove Cover to clear it
The cover picker also has a Folder button that opens the storage location in Finder or Explorer, so you can manage cover files directly.
You can delete a cover image from your library - this removes it from disk, clears it from any tasks using it, and updates your library automatically.
Using a YouTube video as the cover
If the task's notes include a YouTube video, it shows up in the From this task's notes section of the cover picker alongside any inline images. Pick it and the card shows the video thumbnail with a play button - clicking play opens the video in PrimeTask's floating media player, so you can keep it on top of the app while you work. See Media Player & Picture-in-Picture.
Shared library across notes and covers
The cover picker's Library and the notes editor's image picker share the same Space-level library. An image uploaded for a cover also appears when you're inserting an image into task notes, and images pasted into notes show up when picking a cover. One library per Space.
Things worth knowing
Supported file types
PrimeTask accepts any file type. The attachment list shows a type-appropriate icon so you can identify files at a glance:
- Images - PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF, WebP, BMP, SVG
- PDFs - viewable in-app
- Videos - MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, WebM
- Audio - MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC, M4A
- Spreadsheets - XLS, XLSX, CSV, Numbers
- Archives - ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR, GZ
- Code files - JS, TS, Python, Java, Go, Rust, Swift, Ruby, PHP, HTML, CSS, JSON, YAML, and more
- Documents - anything else shows a generic document icon
What you can do with each attachment
Every attachment in the list has a set of actions:
- Preview (images, PDFs, text files) - opens the file in an in-app viewer so you can check it without leaving PrimeTask
- Open with default app (non-image files) - opens the file in your system's default application for that file type
- Download - saves a copy of the file to your chosen location
- Reveal in Finder / Explorer - opens the folder containing the file so you can see it on disk
- Delete - permanently removes the file from disk after confirmation
Cover images on task cards
When a task has a cover image, it appears at the top of the task card in Board View and other card-based views. Task cards also show an attachment count when the task has file attachments, so you can see at a glance which tasks have files attached.
Click a cover image on a task card to open a lightbox view of the image.
Attachments work offline
PrimeTask stores all attachments locally on your device. Opening, previewing, downloading, and managing attachments requires no internet connection. This is true for both standalone tasks and tasks that sync to other devices - the files are on your disk first, and sync happens in the background.
Attachments sync across devices
If you use sync, attachments travel with your tasks:
- File Sync - attachment files are mirrored to your shared sync folder alongside your task data. Other devices running PrimeTask with the same sync folder pick up the files automatically. See File Sync.
- iCloud Sync (macOS) - attachment files are uploaded to iCloud in the background and downloaded to your other Mac devices automatically. Duplicate files are detected by content, so the same file isn't uploaded twice. See Integrations Settings.
Both sync methods work in the background - you don't need to wait for a sync to complete before continuing your work.
Deleting attachments in synced Spaces
When you delete an attachment from a task in an iCloud-synced Space, PrimeTask warns you that the attachment reference will be removed from the task on all synced devices, while the file itself is only deleted from your current device. This prevents accidental data loss across your devices.
Missing file detection
If an attachment file is deleted outside of PrimeTask (for example, by manually removing it from the attachments folder), PrimeTask detects the missing file and marks it in the attachment list. You can still remove the attachment reference from the task, and PrimeTask offers to open the attachments folder so you can investigate.
Images in the description vs the Attachments section
PrimeTask has two places where images can live on a task:
- Description images - pasted or uploaded inline in the rich text editor. These are part of the description content and appear wherever the description is shown. Best for screenshots, diagrams, and visual context. See Task Notes.
- Attachment files - uploaded via the Attachments section. These are managed as separate files with preview, download, delete, and reveal-in-folder actions. Best for files you want to organise, share, or open in other apps.
Both types are stored locally and sync with your Space.
Common questions
"What's the difference between a cover image and an attachment?"
A cover image is a single visual that appears at the top of the task card in views like Board View - it's the task's visual identity. Attachments are any files you've uploaded to the task - documents, images, spreadsheets, code. A task can have one cover image and many attachments.
"Can I preview videos or audio in-app?"
The in-app preview supports images, PDFs, and text files. Videos, audio, and other file types open in your system's default application when you click Open with default app.
"Where are my attachment files stored on disk?"
Attachments are stored in your Space's local data directory. Click the Reveal in Finder / Explorer button on any attachment to see exactly where it lives. You can also open the attachments folder from the cover picker.
"I deleted a file from disk and now the attachment shows as missing."
PrimeTask checks whether attachment files exist on disk. If a file was removed outside the app, PrimeTask marks it as missing. You can remove the attachment reference from the task, or restore the file to the attachments folder.
"Do cover images sync to other devices?"
Yes - cover images are stored as local files and sync via File Sync or iCloud just like any other attachment.
"Can I add attachments when creating a task?"
Yes - the task creation modal includes an Attachments section with drag-and-drop upload, just like the task detail page.
Where to go next
| If you want to… | Read this |
|---|---|
| See the full task detail page | Task Details Page |
| Write rich descriptions with embedded images | Task Notes |
| Create a task with attachments | Creating Tasks |
| Understand File Sync for attachments | File Sync |
| Set up iCloud Sync | Integrations Settings |
| Use subtasks and checklists | Subtasks & Checklists |
| See task cards with covers in Board View | Board View |
| Return to the Tasks hub | Tasks Overview |