A milestone per build phase
Design, source parts, build, test, document. Each phase is a milestone with its own task list. The active-milestone view tells you exactly what to do tonight in the shop.
For makers
From garage idea to finished build.
Milestones turns the chaos of half-finished projects into a clean list of what's next. Plan the build on Mac, check the BOM on iPad in the workshop, mark tasks done from the bench.
Download on the App Store Free · Works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
What's not working today
- You have eight half-finished projects and can't remember what each one needs next.
- Trello feels like enterprise software for what is, honestly, a 3D printer mod.
- Reminders can't track 'waiting for parts from AliExpress' as a real state.
- Sticky notes on the workbench don't survive a sawdust day.
- You bought the same M3 screws three times because the BOM lived in a notebook you lost.
How Milestones fixes that
For makers
Use it offline at the workbench
Local-first storage means it works in the garage with no Wi-Fi. Mark a task done with greasy fingers, sync later when you're back inside.
Tag everything: tools, parts, projects
Color tags work across every project. Pull up every task that needs the soldering iron, every BOM line item, every 'waiting on shipment' across all builds in seconds.
Native on Mac, iPad, iPhone
Plan the wiring diagram in detail on the Mac, glance at the cut list on iPad in the workshop, snap a quick task on the phone when an idea hits in the car.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is this overkill for a hobby?
Most makers use it for one thing: knowing what to do next when they walk into the shop after a tough workday. One tap on the active milestone, you're back in the build. That's not overkill, that's saved evenings.
Can I store BOMs and part lists?
Add each part as a task ('M3×8 cap screws — 20×') and tag it `BOM`. Mark done as parts arrive. Not a full BOM tool, but plenty for personal builds and easier than spreadsheet juggling.
What if a project sits idle for months waiting on parts?
Leave the milestone inactive. When the shipment finally lands, flip it active and pick up where you left off. Better than rediscovering progress from a year-old YouTube comment.
Will it sync between my workshop iPad and home Mac?
Yes — private iCloud sync. No account, no team plan. Same data on every device the moment you're online.
Does it work for software hobby projects too?
Absolutely. Plenty of makers use it for hardware and a personal coding project side by side — the tag system makes it trivial to switch context.
Is there a Pro plan?
Free for personal use. An optional Pro upgrade unlocks the project archive (great for finished builds you want to keep around) and custom icons.
How does Milestones compare?
Side-by-side with the apps you might already be using.
Milestones vs
Notion
A focused native Apple project planner vs the everything-app document and database tool. They aim at very different problems — here's how to choose.
Milestones vs
Things 3
A milestone-driven project planner vs the most polished GTD task manager on Apple platforms. Both are native, both respect you — they're just for different jobs.
Milestones vs
Todoist
A native Apple project planner vs the most-used cross-platform to-do app. They overlap on tasks but diverge on structure, privacy, and where they live.
Build it. Finish it.
Free to download. Works offline at the workbench. No account, no team, no Slack. Just the next task and a clear path to done.
Download on the App StoreFree · No account required · Private iCloud sync