Jack Wallen not only explains why you should use the Trello desktop app, but also how to install it on the operating system of your choice.
In front of Trello users, the web interface provides a workable solution for interacting with the service. Given the web UI is very well designed, it makes sense that so many choose to go that route.
But what if I told you that you might get more out of the desktop app? That you can work more efficiently as a result? Does that pique your interest? I thought it could.
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Some benefits are obvious, while others are more esoteric. In addition, not all benefits will work on every operating system. Let’s see why you want to migrate from the web to the desktop version of Trello. Hold on to your hats because it’s going to be a subtle ride.
Benefits of the Trello desktop app
It’s all about perception
Let’s start with the more esoteric reasons to use the desktop client. I get it, almost everyone works mainly in a browser these days. However, if you’re like me, I often feel like I’m not as productive as I am with a specific application. Maybe that’s just my age, but given the choice between a desktop app or a web-based app, I’ll take the desktop app any day.
One of the reasons for that is that I tend to work with a lot of open tabs in my browser. Yes, I use a good tab management solution, but it’s not always enough. Even with my tabs separated into workspaces, my browser still gets cluttered sometimes. When that happens, it can take a little extra time to find the tab I need to work in. With a desktop app, I can quickly glance at my desktop dock and refocus the app or use a keyboard shortcut to quickly scroll through my open apps.
I’m big on efficiency, so I’ll do just about anything to boost that. And if using a desktop app makes me even slightly more efficient, that’s a win.
More notifications
This is one of the aspects that only applies to certain operating systems. With the Trello desktop app running on macOS, you’ll take advantage of app icon notifications, which can alert you when there’s a new Trello notification without having to look at the app first. This is a feature you won’t find in the browser version of Trello.
More keyboard shortcuts
If you’re using macOS, you’ll also find that more keyboard shortcuts are available in addition to the ability to create custom keyboard shortcuts.
When using the macOS desktop app, if you press CTRL + OPTION + SPACE you can set both a name and description for your card, and you can even define the board and list it will be placed on. Other keyboard shortcuts specific to the desktop app are:
- CTRL+ALT+T: Start Trello.
- CTRL+SHIFT+B: Open the board’s page.
- CTRL+SHIFT+D: Set the current board as default.
- CTRL+D: Go to the default board.
- CTRL+1-9: Jump to one of your nine-star boards.
- CTRL+ALT+C: Copy the URL of the selected map.
- CTRL+ALT+V: Open the URL of the selected map.
Using a MacBook with a touch bar, you can do things like star boards, create new maps, and open boards in new windows with a touch.
How to install the Trello desktop app
If you are using an Apple or Windows device, you can find the official Trello application in their respective app stores. However, on Linux, you must install the app using Snap packages. All you need to do is open a terminal window and issue the command:
sudo snap install trello-desktop
That is it. Open the app, log into your Trello account and start managing those projects.
I would suggest you give the Trello desktop app a try and see if it doesn’t make interacting with your boards a bit more efficient. If not, you can always uninstall it and go back to the web browser.
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