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Setting Up Radicale with Remind and TaskWarrior Integration

This guide provides a step-by-step configuration for hosting a Radicale CalDAV server in a Proxmox LXC container, accessible via Tailscale. It integrates Remind .rem files and TaskWarrior tasks using the radicale-remind backend for native, two-way synchronization. As an alternative for TaskWarrior only, it covers using syncall. The focus is on displaying Remind events in Apple Calendar and TaskWarrior tasks in Apple Reminders (or Calendar if converted to events).

Key Notes:

  • This assumes you're using a Proxmox LXC container with Radicale already installed (e.g., via community script).
  • Remind data appears as VEVENT (events) in Calendar.
  • TaskWarrior data appears as VTODO (tasks) in Reminders. For tasks as events in Calendar, you'd need custom scripting (not covered here; refer to prior custom Python approach if needed).
  • All commands are run inside the LXC container unless specified.
  • Replace placeholders like youruser, yourpass, /path/to/your/.reminders, and Tailscale IP with your actual values.

Prerequisites​

  • Proxmox LXC container with Radicale installed and running.
  • Tailscale set up in the LXC (with TUN device enabled and authenticated).
  • Basic tools: apt update && apt upgrade -y.
  • Your Remind .rem file (e.g., ~/.reminders) and TaskWarrior data (e.g., ~/.task).

Step 1: Install Dependencies​

Inside the LXC container:

apt install remind task -y
pip3 install radicale-remind
  • If using syncall alternative: pip3 install 'syncall[caldav,tw]'.

Step 2: Configure Radicale for radicale-remind Backend​

Edit the Radicale configuration file (typically /etc/radicale/config):

[server]
hosts = 0.0.0.0:5232

[auth]
type = htpasswd
htpasswd_filename = /etc/radicale/users
htpasswd_encryption = bcrypt  # Or sha512

[rights]
type = owner_only  # Or custom; see Step 3

[storage]
type = radicale_remind
filesystem_folder = /var/lib/radicale  # Path for user collections
remind_file = /path/to/your/.reminders  # Full path to your .rem file
task_folder = /path/to/your/.task  # Full path to your TaskWarrior folder
  • Omit remind_file or task_folder if not using one.
  • Ensure the paths are accessible by the Radicale user (e.g., chown if needed).

Step 3: Configure Rights for Access​

Create or edit the rights file (e.g., /etc/radicale/rights):

[root]
user: .+
collection:
permissions: R

[principal]
user: .+
collection: {user}
permissions: RW

[calendars]
user: .+
collection: {user}/.*
permissions: rw
  • This allows read/write access to collections like {user}/.reminders/ and {user}/.task/all_projects/.
  • Restart Radicale: systemctl restart radicale.

Step 4: Set Up Authentication​

If not already done:

apt install apache2-utils -y
htpasswd -B -c /etc/radicale/users youruser  # Enter yourpass
  • Restart Radicale again.

Step 5: Test Collections​

Verify the integration:

curl -u youruser:yourpass -X PROPFIND -H "Depth: 1" "http://localhost:5232/youruser/.reminders/"
curl -u youruser:yourpass -X PROPFIND -H "Depth: 1" "http://localhost:5232/youruser/.task/all_projects/"
  • Collections should list your events/tasks.
  • Use your Tailscale IP instead of localhost for remote testing.

Step 6: Connect to Apple Apps​

  • For Remind (Calendar App):

    1. Open Calendar (macOS/iOS).
    2. Add Account > Other > CalDAV.
    3. Server: your-tailscale-ip:5232/youruser/.reminders/
    4. Username: youruser
    5. Password: yourpass
    • Events from .rem files will appear.

  • For TaskWarrior (Reminders App):

    1. Open Reminders (macOS/iOS).
    2. Add Account > Other > CalDAV (or in Settings > Accounts).
    3. Server: your-tailscale-ip:5232/youruser/.task/all_projects/
    4. Username: youruser
    5. Password: yourpass
    • Tasks sync with due dates; edits sync back.

  • Two-way sync: Changes in Apple apps update your files.

Alternative: Using syncall for TaskWarrior Only​

If you prefer not to use radicale-remind and keep default Radicale storage:

  1. Install: Already done in Step 1.
  2. Create a calendar collection in Radicale (if needed): 
    curl -u youruser:yourpass -X MKCOL "http://localhost:5232/youruser/main-calendar/"
  3. Set up cron for sync (e.g., every 15 minutes):
    • Edit crontab: crontab -e
    • Add: */15 * * * * tw_caldav_sync --caldav-url http://localhost:5232/youruser/main-calendar/ --caldav-user youruser --caldav-passwd yourpass --taskwarrior-tags optional-tag-filter
  4. Connect in Reminders: Use your-tailscale-ip:5232/youruser/main-calendar/ as the server.
  • This is one-way by default; check syncall docs for two-way options.

Limitations and Troubleshooting​

  • Limitations:

    • Separate collections: No automatic merge into one calendar.
    • Tasks in Reminders, not Calendar (unless custom conversion).
    • Not all features sync perfectly (e.g., complex recurrences).
    • If using Abook, it can be added as CardDAV.

  • Troubleshooting:

    • Check logs: journalctl -u radicale.
    • Ensure Tailscale is connected and ports are open.
    • Test locally first before remote.
    • If errors: Verify file paths, permissions, and restart services.
    • For HTTPS: Add an Nginx reverse proxy in the LXC.

  • References:

This Markdown file can be saved as radicale-setup-guide.md for reference. Follow steps sequentially, testing after each. If issues arise, provide details for further help.

python3 rem2dav.py -r http://radicale:5232/vishal/51e7ed21-253c-7596-8416-d6f1efbf2825/ -u vishal -p Ishaan@240978 -i /root/remind/reminders.rem

# Export TaskWarrior tasks with due dates and import them into Radicale as VTODOs
task export rc.verbose:nothing | jq -r '
  .[] |
  select(.due != null) |
  "REM " + (.due | strptime("%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ") | strftime("%b %d %Y")) +
  " MSG " +
  (if .status == "completed" then "DONE: " else "TODO: " end) +
  (if .project then .project + " - " else "" end) +
  .description
' | python3 rem2dav.py -d -i -r 'http://radicale:5232/vishal/51e7ed21-253c-7596-8416-d6f1efbf2825/' -u 'vishal' -p 'Ishaan@240978' -
# 1. Generate the file
task export rc.verbose:nothing | jq -r '...' > sync.rem

# 2. Sync it
python3 rem2dav.py -d -i -r 'http://radicale:5232/vishal/51e7ed21-253c-7596-8416-d6f1efbf2825/' -u 'vishal' -p 'Ishaan@240978' sync.rem

# Directly sync Remind file to Radicale with deletion of missing events
❯ python3 rem2dav.py -d -r https://radicale.tail48fe8.ts.net/vishal/7a1ffa71-e5cc-1a70-a5e9-d51de8decab8/ -u vishal -p 'Ishaan@240978' /Users/vishal/code/remind/reminders.rem

Key Changes Explanation -d: Deletes events on the server that are not in your input. This fixes the duplication issue when you change task details (since the UIDs change). -i: Ensures "insecure" mode (ignores SSL errors), which was in your original command.

  • (in Option 1): Crucial argument at the very end that tells the script "read the reminders from the pipe/command before me".