How browser-based task managers work
Traditional task management apps are native applications: compiled binaries built for specific operating systems. You download a Windows .exe, a Mac .dmg, an Android .apk. Each version is separately built and maintained.
Browser-based tools are different. They're built with web technologies - HTML, CSS, and JavaScript - that every modern browser understands. One file works everywhere.
Telu is a self-contained HTML document. All the code, styling, and logic exists in a single file. When you open it in your browser, the browser renders the interface and runs the JavaScript locally. Nothing is sent to a server. Everything happens on your machine.
The technical advantage
Browsers are sandboxed environments. They can't access your file system without permission. They can't install background services. Browser-based apps are inherently more secure than native apps with system-level access.
Browser-based vs native: the trade-offs
Native apps can integrate deeper with the OS. They can send system notifications, run background processes, access hardware features browsers can't. For a task manager, those features are often overkill.
Browser-based tools trade OS-level integration for portability and simplicity. You don't need system notifications if you can just keep the browser tab open. You don't need background sync if your data never leaves your machine.
Which browsers does Telu support?
- Chrome (desktop and Android)
- Edge (Windows and Mac)
- Firefox (all platforms)
- Safari (Mac, iPhone, iPad)
As long as the browser supports modern JavaScript (ES6+) and localStorage, Telu works. That covers virtually every browser released in the last five years.
Using Telu on mobile browsers
On iPhone/iPad: download Telu.html to your Files app. Open it with Safari. The interface scales to fit your screen and supports touch gestures.
On Android: download to your Downloads folder or save to Google Drive. Open with Chrome. Everything works identically to desktop - just smaller.
Why not a web app?
Some browser-based tools require an internet connection because they're hosted web apps - you visit a URL, and the server sends you the application code. That's still better than native apps in many ways, but it introduces server dependency.
Telu goes further: it's a local HTML file. No server. No URL to visit. You own the file, it runs locally, and it works exactly the same offline as online. True browser-based portability with zero network dependency.
How to use Telu
Purchase for £9. Download Telu.html. Double-click to open in your default browser. Or right-click and choose "Open with" to select a specific browser. That's it. The file is the app.
Because it runs entirely in the browser with no network requests, it also works completely offline and requires no account or sign up of any kind.