diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 7cdfb66..93ac2c5 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 doc/tags
 *.log
-minimal_init.lua
 
 .*cache*
 CLAUDE.md
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 43c8447..cb3d3eb 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ Edit tasks like text. `:w` saves them.
 ## Requirements
 
 - Neovim 0.10+
-- (Optionally) `curl` for Google Calendar and Google Task sync
+- (Optionally) `curl` and `openssl` for Google Calendar and Google Task sync
 
 ## Installation
 
diff --git a/doc/pending.txt b/doc/pending.txt
index 914644e..d3eb03b 100644
--- a/doc/pending.txt
+++ b/doc/pending.txt
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ REQUIREMENTS                                           *pending-requirements*
 
 - Neovim 0.10+
 - No external dependencies for local use
-- `curl` is required for the `gcal` and `gtasks` sync backends
+- `curl` and `openssl` are required for the `gcal` and `gtasks` sync backends
 
 ==============================================================================
 INSTALL                                                      *pending-install*
@@ -149,17 +149,17 @@ COMMANDS                                                    *pending-commands*
     Open the list with |:copen| to navigate to each task's category.
 
                                                               *:Pending-gtasks*
-:Pending gtasks {action}
-    Run a Google Tasks action. An explicit action is required.
+:Pending gtasks [{action}]
+    Run a Google Tasks sync action. {action} defaults to `sync` when omitted.
 
     Actions: ~
-        `sync`    Push local changes then pull remote changes.
+        `sync`    Push local changes then pull remote changes (default).
         `push`    Push local changes to Google Tasks only.
         `pull`    Pull remote changes from Google Tasks only.
         `auth`    Run the OAuth authorization flow.
 
     Examples: >vim
-        :Pending gtasks sync        " push then pull
+        :Pending gtasks             " push then pull (default)
         :Pending gtasks push        " push local → Google Tasks
         :Pending gtasks pull        " pull Google Tasks → local
         :Pending gtasks auth        " authorize
@@ -169,15 +169,16 @@ COMMANDS                                                    *pending-commands*
     See |pending-gtasks| for full details.
 
                                                                *:Pending-gcal*
-:Pending gcal {action}
-    Run a Google Calendar action. An explicit action is required.
+:Pending gcal [{action}]
+    Run a Google Calendar sync action. {action} defaults to `sync` when
+    omitted.
 
     Actions: ~
-        `push`    Push tasks with due dates to Google Calendar.
+        `sync`    Push tasks with due dates to Google Calendar (default).
         `auth`    Run the OAuth authorization flow.
 
     Examples: >vim
-        :Pending gcal push          " push to Google Calendar
+        :Pending gcal               " push to Google Calendar (default)
         :Pending gcal auth          " authorize
 <
 
@@ -605,7 +606,9 @@ loads: >lua
         prev_task = '[t',
       },
       sync = {
-        gcal = {},
+        gcal = {
+          calendar = 'Pendings',
+        },
         gtasks = {},
       },
     }
@@ -890,8 +893,8 @@ SYNC BACKENDS                                           *pending-sync-backend*
 
 Sync backends are Lua modules under `lua/pending/sync/<name>.lua`. Each
 backend is exposed as a top-level `:Pending` subcommand: >vim
-    :Pending gtasks {action}
-    :Pending gcal {action}
+    :Pending gtasks [action]
+    :Pending gcal [action]
 <
 
 Each module returns a table conforming to the backend interface: >lua
@@ -899,9 +902,9 @@ Each module returns a table conforming to the backend interface: >lua
     ---@class pending.SyncBackend
     ---@field name string
     ---@field auth fun(): nil
+    ---@field sync fun(): nil
     ---@field push? fun(): nil
     ---@field pull? fun(): nil
-    ---@field sync? fun(): nil
     ---@field health? fun(): nil
 <
 
@@ -921,15 +924,16 @@ Backend-specific configuration goes under `sync.<name>` in |pending-config|.
 ==============================================================================
 GOOGLE CALENDAR                                                 *pending-gcal*
 
-pending.nvim can push tasks with due dates to Google Calendar as all-day
-events. Each pending.nvim category maps to a Google Calendar of the same
-name. Calendars are created automatically on first push. This is a one-way
-push; changes made in Google Calendar are not pulled back.
+pending.nvim can push tasks with due dates to a dedicated Google Calendar as
+all-day events. This is a one-way push; changes made in Google Calendar are
+not pulled back into pending.nvim.
 
 Configuration: >lua
     vim.g.pending = {
       sync = {
-        gcal = {},
+        gcal = {
+          calendar = 'Pendings',
+        },
       },
     }
 <
@@ -939,6 +943,11 @@ used by default. Run `:Pending gcal auth` and the browser opens immediately.
 
                                                           *pending.GcalConfig*
 Fields: ~
+    {calendar}           (string, default: 'Pendings')
+                         Name of the Google Calendar to sync to. If a calendar
+                         with this name does not exist it is created
+                         automatically on the first sync.
+
     {client_id}          (string, optional)
                          OAuth client ID. When set together with
                          {client_secret}, these take priority over the
@@ -964,24 +973,26 @@ OAuth flow: ~
 On the first `:Pending gcal` call the plugin detects that no refresh token
 exists and opens the Google authorization URL in the browser using
 |vim.ui.open()|. A temporary local HTTP server listens on port 18392 for the
-OAuth redirect. The PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) flow is used. After
-the user grants consent, the
+OAuth redirect. The PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) flow is used —
+`openssl` generates the code challenge. After the user grants consent, the
 authorization code is exchanged for tokens and the refresh token is stored at
 `stdpath('data')/pending/gcal_tokens.json` with mode `600`. Subsequent syncs
 use the stored refresh token and refresh the access token automatically when
 it is about to expire.
 
-`:Pending gcal push` behavior: ~
+`:Pending gcal` behavior: ~
 For each task in the store:
 - A pending task with a due date and no existing event: a new all-day event is
-  created in the calendar matching the task's category. The event ID and
-  calendar ID are stored in the task's `_extra` table.
+  created and the event ID is stored in the task's `_extra` table.
 - A pending task with a due date and an existing event: the event summary and
   date are updated in place.
 - A done or deleted task with an existing event: the event is deleted.
 - A pending task with no due date that had an existing event: the event is
   deleted.
 
+A summary notification is shown after sync: `created: N, updated: N,
+deleted: N`.
+
 ==============================================================================
 GOOGLE TASKS                                                  *pending-gtasks*
 
diff --git a/lua/pending/config.lua b/lua/pending/config.lua
index f488e41..263cc8c 100644
--- a/lua/pending/config.lua
+++ b/lua/pending/config.lua
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 ---@field category string
 
 ---@class pending.GcalConfig
+---@field calendar? string
 ---@field credentials_path? string
 ---@field client_id? string
 ---@field client_secret? string
diff --git a/lua/pending/diff.lua b/lua/pending/diff.lua
index 5df332f..7ebbfe1 100644
--- a/lua/pending/diff.lua
+++ b/lua/pending/diff.lua
@@ -121,19 +121,17 @@ function M.apply(lines, s, hidden_ids)
           task.priority = entry.priority
           changed = true
         end
-        if entry.due ~= nil and task.due ~= entry.due then
+        if task.due ~= entry.due then
           task.due = entry.due
           changed = true
         end
-        if entry.rec ~= nil then
-          if task.recur ~= entry.rec then
-            task.recur = entry.rec
-            changed = true
-          end
-          if task.recur_mode ~= entry.rec_mode then
-            task.recur_mode = entry.rec_mode
-            changed = true
-          end
+        if task.recur ~= entry.rec then
+          task.recur = entry.rec
+          changed = true
+        end
+        if task.recur_mode ~= entry.rec_mode then
+          task.recur_mode = entry.rec_mode
+          changed = true
         end
         if entry.status and task.status ~= entry.status then
           task.status = entry.status
diff --git a/lua/pending/health.lua b/lua/pending/health.lua
index d3dbe2c..0f1bad8 100644
--- a/lua/pending/health.lua
+++ b/lua/pending/health.lua
@@ -25,6 +25,13 @@ function M.check()
     vim.health.info('(project-local store; global path: ' .. cfg.data_path .. ')')
   end
 
+  local data_dir = vim.fn.fnamemodify(resolved_path, ':h')
+  if vim.fn.isdirectory(data_dir) == 1 then
+    vim.health.ok('Data directory exists: ' .. data_dir)
+  else
+    vim.health.warn('Data directory does not exist yet: ' .. data_dir)
+  end
+
   if vim.fn.filereadable(resolved_path) == 1 then
     local s = store.new(resolved_path)
     local load_ok, err = pcall(function()
@@ -47,6 +54,8 @@ function M.check()
     else
       vim.health.error('Failed to load data file: ' .. tostring(err))
     end
+  else
+    vim.health.info('No data file yet (will be created on first save)')
   end
 
   local sync_paths = vim.fn.globpath(vim.o.runtimepath, 'lua/pending/sync/*.lua', false, true)
diff --git a/lua/pending/init.lua b/lua/pending/init.lua
index a83692d..f4f7264 100644
--- a/lua/pending/init.lua
+++ b/lua/pending/init.lua
@@ -142,16 +142,6 @@ local function compute_hidden_ids(tasks, predicates)
           visible = false
           break
         end
-      elseif pred == 'done' then
-        if task.status ~= 'done' then
-          visible = false
-          break
-        end
-      elseif pred == 'pending' then
-        if task.status ~= 'pending' then
-          visible = false
-          break
-        end
       end
     end
     if not visible then
@@ -546,22 +536,12 @@ end
 ---@param action? string
 ---@return nil
 local function run_sync(backend_name, action)
+  action = (action and action ~= '') and action or 'sync'
   local ok, backend = pcall(require, 'pending.sync.' .. backend_name)
   if not ok then
     vim.notify('Unknown sync backend: ' .. backend_name, vim.log.levels.ERROR)
     return
   end
-  if not action or action == '' then
-    local actions = {}
-    for k, v in pairs(backend) do
-      if type(v) == 'function' and k:sub(1, 1) ~= '_' then
-        table.insert(actions, k)
-      end
-    end
-    table.sort(actions)
-    vim.notify(backend_name .. ' actions: ' .. table.concat(actions, ', '), vim.log.levels.INFO)
-    return
-  end
   if type(backend[action]) ~= 'function' then
     vim.notify(backend_name .. " backend has no '" .. action .. "' action", vim.log.levels.ERROR)
     return
@@ -824,7 +804,7 @@ function M.edit(id_str, rest)
 
   s:update(id, updates)
 
-  _save_and_notify()
+  s:save()
 
   local bufnr = buffer.bufnr()
   if bufnr and vim.api.nvim_buf_is_valid(bufnr) then
@@ -861,7 +841,7 @@ function M.command(args)
     local id_str, edit_rest = rest:match('^(%S+)%s*(.*)')
     M.edit(id_str, edit_rest)
   elseif SYNC_BACKEND_SET[cmd] then
-    local action = rest:match('^(%S+)')
+    local action = rest:match('^(%S+)') or 'sync'
     run_sync(cmd, action)
   elseif cmd == 'archive' then
     local d = rest ~= '' and tonumber(rest) or nil
diff --git a/lua/pending/sync/gcal.lua b/lua/pending/sync/gcal.lua
index 44f7742..9158ca1 100644
--- a/lua/pending/sync/gcal.lua
+++ b/lua/pending/sync/gcal.lua
@@ -15,10 +15,13 @@ local client = oauth.new({
   config_key = 'gcal',
 })
 
----@param access_token string
----@return table<string, string>? name_to_id
+---@return string? calendar_id
 ---@return string? err
-local function get_all_calendars(access_token)
+local function find_or_create_calendar(access_token)
+  local cfg = config.get()
+  local gc = (cfg.sync and cfg.sync.gcal) or {}
+  local cal_name = gc.calendar or 'Pendings'
+
   local data, err = oauth.curl_request(
     'GET',
     BASE_URL .. '/users/me/calendarList',
@@ -27,41 +30,27 @@ local function get_all_calendars(access_token)
   if err then
     return nil, err
   end
-  local result = {}
+
   for _, item in ipairs(data and data.items or {}) do
-    if item.summary then
-      result[item.summary] = item.id
+    if item.summary == cal_name then
+      return item.id, nil
     end
   end
-  return result, nil
-end
 
----@param access_token string
----@param name string
----@param existing table<string, string>
----@return string? calendar_id
----@return string? err
-local function find_or_create_calendar(access_token, name, existing)
-  if existing[name] then
-    return existing[name], nil
-  end
-  local body = vim.json.encode({ summary = name })
-  local created, err =
+  local body = vim.json.encode({ summary = cal_name })
+  local created, create_err =
     oauth.curl_request('POST', BASE_URL .. '/calendars', oauth.auth_headers(access_token), body)
-  if err then
-    return nil, err
+  if create_err then
+    return nil, create_err
   end
-  local id = created and created.id
-  if id then
-    existing[name] = id
-  end
-  return id, nil
+
+  return created and created.id, nil
 end
 
 ---@param date_str string
 ---@return string
 local function next_day(date_str)
-  local y, m, d = date_str:match('^(%d%d%d%d)-(%d%d)-(%d%d)')
+  local y, m, d = date_str:match('^(%d%d%d%d)-(%d%d)-(%d%d)$')
   local t = os.time({ year = tonumber(y) or 0, month = tonumber(m) or 0, day = tonumber(d) or 0 })
     + 86400
   return os.date('%Y-%m-%d', t) --[[@as string]]
@@ -139,100 +128,74 @@ function M.auth()
   client:auth()
 end
 
-function M.push()
-  oauth.async(function()
-    local access_token = client:get_access_token()
-    if not access_token then
-      return
-    end
+function M.sync()
+  local access_token = client:get_access_token()
+  if not access_token then
+    return
+  end
 
-    local calendars, cal_err = get_all_calendars(access_token)
-    if cal_err or not calendars then
-      vim.notify('pending.nvim: ' .. (cal_err or 'failed to fetch calendars'), vim.log.levels.ERROR)
-      return
-    end
+  local calendar_id, err = find_or_create_calendar(access_token)
+  if err or not calendar_id then
+    vim.notify('pending.nvim: ' .. (err or 'calendar not found'), vim.log.levels.ERROR)
+    return
+  end
 
-    local s = require('pending').store()
-    local created, updated, deleted = 0, 0, 0
+  local tasks = require('pending').store():tasks()
+  local created, updated, deleted = 0, 0, 0
 
-    for _, task in ipairs(s:tasks()) do
-      local extra = task._extra or {}
-      local event_id = extra['_gcal_event_id'] --[[@as string?]]
-      local cal_id = extra['_gcal_calendar_id'] --[[@as string?]]
+  for _, task in ipairs(tasks) do
+    local extra = task._extra or {}
+    local event_id = extra['_gcal_event_id'] --[[@as string?]]
 
-      local should_delete = event_id ~= nil
-        and cal_id ~= nil
-        and (
-          task.status == 'done'
-          or task.status == 'deleted'
-          or (task.status == 'pending' and not task.due)
-        )
+    local should_delete = event_id ~= nil
+      and (
+        task.status == 'done'
+        or task.status == 'deleted'
+        or (task.status == 'pending' and not task.due)
+      )
 
-      if should_delete then
-        local del_err =
-          delete_event(access_token, cal_id --[[@as string]], event_id --[[@as string]])
-        if del_err then
-          vim.notify('pending.nvim: gcal delete failed: ' .. del_err, vim.log.levels.WARN)
+    if should_delete and event_id then
+      local del_err = delete_event(access_token, calendar_id, event_id) --[[@as string]]
+      if not del_err then
+        extra['_gcal_event_id'] = nil
+        if next(extra) == nil then
+          task._extra = nil
         else
-          extra['_gcal_event_id'] = nil
-          extra['_gcal_calendar_id'] = nil
-          if next(extra) == nil then
-            task._extra = nil
-          else
-            task._extra = extra
-          end
-          task.modified = os.date('!%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ') --[[@as string]]
-          deleted = deleted + 1
+          task._extra = extra
         end
-      elseif task.status == 'pending' and task.due then
-        local cat = task.category or config.get().default_category
-        if event_id and cal_id then
-          local upd_err = update_event(access_token, cal_id, event_id, task)
-          if upd_err then
-            vim.notify('pending.nvim: gcal update failed: ' .. upd_err, vim.log.levels.WARN)
-          else
-            updated = updated + 1
-          end
-        else
-          local lid, lid_err = find_or_create_calendar(access_token, cat, calendars)
-          if lid_err or not lid then
-            vim.notify(
-              'pending.nvim: gcal calendar failed: ' .. (lid_err or 'unknown'),
-              vim.log.levels.WARN
-            )
-          else
-            local new_id, create_err = create_event(access_token, lid, task)
-            if create_err then
-              vim.notify('pending.nvim: gcal create failed: ' .. create_err, vim.log.levels.WARN)
-            elseif new_id then
-              if not task._extra then
-                task._extra = {}
-              end
-              task._extra['_gcal_event_id'] = new_id
-              task._extra['_gcal_calendar_id'] = lid
-              task.modified = os.date('!%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ') --[[@as string]]
-              created = created + 1
-            end
+        task.modified = os.date('!%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ') --[[@as string]]
+        deleted = deleted + 1
+      end
+    elseif task.status == 'pending' and task.due then
+      if event_id then
+        local upd_err = update_event(access_token, calendar_id, event_id, task)
+        if not upd_err then
+          updated = updated + 1
+        end
+      else
+        local new_id, create_err = create_event(access_token, calendar_id, task)
+        if not create_err and new_id then
+          if not task._extra then
+            task._extra = {}
           end
+          task._extra['_gcal_event_id'] = new_id
+          task.modified = os.date('!%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ') --[[@as string]]
+          created = created + 1
         end
       end
     end
+  end
 
-    s:save()
-    require('pending')._recompute_counts()
-    local buffer = require('pending.buffer')
-    if buffer.bufnr() and vim.api.nvim_buf_is_valid(buffer.bufnr()) then
-      buffer.render(buffer.bufnr())
-    end
-    vim.notify(
-      string.format(
-        'pending.nvim: Google Calendar pushed — +%d ~%d -%d',
-        created,
-        updated,
-        deleted
-      )
+  require('pending').store():save()
+  require('pending')._recompute_counts()
+  vim.notify(
+    string.format(
+      'pending.nvim: Synced to Google Calendar (created: %d, updated: %d, deleted: %d)',
+      created,
+      updated,
+      deleted
     )
-  end)
+  )
 end
 
 ---@return nil
diff --git a/lua/pending/sync/gtasks.lua b/lua/pending/sync/gtasks.lua
index a046a51..f31de99 100644
--- a/lua/pending/sync/gtasks.lua
+++ b/lua/pending/sync/gtasks.lua
@@ -247,9 +247,7 @@ local function push_pass(access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts, by_gtasks_id)
 
     if task.status == 'deleted' and gtid and list_id then
       local err = delete_gtask(access_token, list_id, gtid)
-      if err then
-        vim.notify('pending.nvim: gtasks delete failed: ' .. err, vim.log.levels.WARN)
-      else
+      if not err then
         if not task._extra then
           task._extra = {}
         end
@@ -264,9 +262,7 @@ local function push_pass(access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts, by_gtasks_id)
     elseif task.status ~= 'deleted' then
       if gtid and list_id then
         local err = update_gtask(access_token, list_id, gtid, task_to_gtask(task))
-        if err then
-          vim.notify('pending.nvim: gtasks update failed: ' .. err, vim.log.levels.WARN)
-        else
+        if not err then
           updated = updated + 1
         end
       elseif task.status == 'pending' then
@@ -274,9 +270,7 @@ local function push_pass(access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts, by_gtasks_id)
         local lid, err = find_or_create_tasklist(access_token, cat, tasklists)
         if not err and lid then
           local new_id, create_err = create_gtask(access_token, lid, task_to_gtask(task))
-          if create_err then
-            vim.notify('pending.nvim: gtasks create failed: ' .. create_err, vim.log.levels.WARN)
-          elseif new_id then
+          if not create_err and new_id then
             if not task._extra then
               task._extra = {}
             end
@@ -363,79 +357,61 @@ function M.auth()
 end
 
 function M.push()
-  oauth.async(function()
-    local access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts = sync_setup()
-    if not access_token then
-      return
-    end
-    ---@cast tasklists table<string, string>
-    ---@cast s pending.Store
-    ---@cast now_ts string
-    local by_gtasks_id = build_id_index(s)
-    local created, updated, deleted = push_pass(access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts, by_gtasks_id)
-    s:save()
-    require('pending')._recompute_counts()
-    local buffer = require('pending.buffer')
-    if buffer.bufnr() and vim.api.nvim_buf_is_valid(buffer.bufnr()) then
-      buffer.render(buffer.bufnr())
-    end
-    vim.notify(
-      string.format('pending.nvim: Google Tasks pushed — +%d ~%d -%d', created, updated, deleted)
-    )
-  end)
+  local access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts = sync_setup()
+  if not access_token then
+    return
+  end
+  ---@cast tasklists table<string, string>
+  ---@cast s pending.Store
+  ---@cast now_ts string
+  local by_gtasks_id = build_id_index(s)
+  local created, updated, deleted = push_pass(access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts, by_gtasks_id)
+  s:save()
+  require('pending')._recompute_counts()
+  vim.notify(
+    string.format('pending.nvim: Google Tasks pushed — +%d ~%d -%d', created, updated, deleted)
+  )
 end
 
 function M.pull()
-  oauth.async(function()
-    local access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts = sync_setup()
-    if not access_token then
-      return
-    end
-    ---@cast tasklists table<string, string>
-    ---@cast s pending.Store
-    ---@cast now_ts string
-    local by_gtasks_id = build_id_index(s)
-    local created, updated = pull_pass(access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts, by_gtasks_id)
-    s:save()
-    require('pending')._recompute_counts()
-    local buffer = require('pending.buffer')
-    if buffer.bufnr() and vim.api.nvim_buf_is_valid(buffer.bufnr()) then
-      buffer.render(buffer.bufnr())
-    end
-    vim.notify(string.format('pending.nvim: Google Tasks pulled — +%d ~%d', created, updated))
-  end)
+  local access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts = sync_setup()
+  if not access_token then
+    return
+  end
+  ---@cast tasklists table<string, string>
+  ---@cast s pending.Store
+  ---@cast now_ts string
+  local by_gtasks_id = build_id_index(s)
+  local created, updated = pull_pass(access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts, by_gtasks_id)
+  s:save()
+  require('pending')._recompute_counts()
+  vim.notify(string.format('pending.nvim: Google Tasks pulled — +%d ~%d', created, updated))
 end
 
 function M.sync()
-  oauth.async(function()
-    local access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts = sync_setup()
-    if not access_token then
-      return
-    end
-    ---@cast tasklists table<string, string>
-    ---@cast s pending.Store
-    ---@cast now_ts string
-    local by_gtasks_id = build_id_index(s)
-    local pushed_create, pushed_update, pushed_delete =
-      push_pass(access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts, by_gtasks_id)
-    local pulled_create, pulled_update = pull_pass(access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts, by_gtasks_id)
-    s:save()
-    require('pending')._recompute_counts()
-    local buffer = require('pending.buffer')
-    if buffer.bufnr() and vim.api.nvim_buf_is_valid(buffer.bufnr()) then
-      buffer.render(buffer.bufnr())
-    end
-    vim.notify(
-      string.format(
-        'pending.nvim: Google Tasks synced — push: +%d ~%d -%d, pull: +%d ~%d',
-        pushed_create,
-        pushed_update,
-        pushed_delete,
-        pulled_create,
-        pulled_update
-      )
+  local access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts = sync_setup()
+  if not access_token then
+    return
+  end
+  ---@cast tasklists table<string, string>
+  ---@cast s pending.Store
+  ---@cast now_ts string
+  local by_gtasks_id = build_id_index(s)
+  local pushed_create, pushed_update, pushed_delete =
+    push_pass(access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts, by_gtasks_id)
+  local pulled_create, pulled_update = pull_pass(access_token, tasklists, s, now_ts, by_gtasks_id)
+  s:save()
+  require('pending')._recompute_counts()
+  vim.notify(
+    string.format(
+      'pending.nvim: Google Tasks synced — push: +%d ~%d -%d, pull: +%d ~%d',
+      pushed_create,
+      pushed_update,
+      pushed_delete,
+      pulled_create,
+      pulled_update
     )
-  end)
+  )
 end
 
 M._due_to_rfc3339 = due_to_rfc3339
diff --git a/lua/pending/sync/oauth.lua b/lua/pending/sync/oauth.lua
index c53e3b1..7dc5ede 100644
--- a/lua/pending/sync/oauth.lua
+++ b/lua/pending/sync/oauth.lua
@@ -27,27 +27,6 @@ OAuthClient.__index = OAuthClient
 ---@class pending.oauth
 local M = {}
 
----@param args string[]
----@param opts? table
----@return { code: integer, stdout: string, stderr: string }
-function M.system(args, opts)
-  local co = coroutine.running()
-  if not co then
-    return vim.system(args, opts or {}):wait() --[[@as { code: integer, stdout: string, stderr: string }]]
-  end
-  vim.system(args, opts or {}, function(result)
-    vim.schedule(function()
-      coroutine.resume(co, result)
-    end)
-  end)
-  return coroutine.yield() --[[@as { code: integer, stdout: string, stderr: string }]]
-end
-
----@param fn fun(): nil
-function M.async(fn)
-  coroutine.resume(coroutine.create(fn))
-end
-
 ---@param str string
 ---@return string
 function M.url_encode(str)
@@ -112,7 +91,7 @@ function M.curl_request(method, url, headers, body)
     table.insert(args, body)
   end
   table.insert(args, url)
-  local result = M.system(args, { text = true })
+  local result = vim.system(args, { text = true }):wait()
   if result.code ~= 0 then
     return nil, 'curl failed: ' .. (result.stderr or '')
   end
@@ -146,6 +125,11 @@ function M.health(backend_name)
   else
     vim.health.warn('curl not found (needed for ' .. backend_name .. ' sync)')
   end
+  if vim.fn.executable('openssl') == 1 then
+    vim.health.ok('openssl found (required for ' .. backend_name .. ' OAuth PKCE)')
+  else
+    vim.health.warn('openssl not found (needed for ' .. backend_name .. ' OAuth)')
+  end
 end
 
 ---@return string
@@ -205,17 +189,19 @@ function OAuthClient:refresh_access_token(creds, tokens)
     .. '&grant_type=refresh_token'
     .. '&refresh_token='
     .. M.url_encode(tokens.refresh_token)
-  local result = M.system({
-    'curl',
-    '-s',
-    '-X',
-    'POST',
-    '-H',
-    'Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
-    '-d',
-    body,
-    TOKEN_URL,
-  }, { text = true })
+  local result = vim
+    .system({
+      'curl',
+      '-s',
+      '-X',
+      'POST',
+      '-H',
+      'Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
+      '-d',
+      body,
+      TOKEN_URL,
+    }, { text = true })
+    :wait()
   if result.code ~= 0 then
     return nil
   end
@@ -261,18 +247,23 @@ function OAuthClient:auth()
 
   local verifier_chars = 'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789-._~'
   local verifier = {}
-  math.randomseed(vim.uv.hrtime())
+  math.randomseed(os.time())
   for _ = 1, 64 do
     local idx = math.random(1, #verifier_chars)
     table.insert(verifier, verifier_chars:sub(idx, idx))
   end
   local code_verifier = table.concat(verifier)
 
-  local hex = vim.fn.sha256(code_verifier)
-  local binary = hex:gsub('..', function(h)
-    return string.char(tonumber(h, 16))
-  end)
-  local code_challenge = vim.base64.encode(binary):gsub('+', '-'):gsub('/', '_'):gsub('=', '')
+  local sha_pipe = vim
+    .system({
+      'sh',
+      '-c',
+      'printf "%s" "'
+        .. code_verifier
+        .. '" | openssl dgst -sha256 -binary | openssl base64 -A | tr "+/" "-_" | tr -d "="',
+    }, { text = true })
+    :wait()
+  local code_challenge = sha_pipe.stdout or ''
 
   local auth_url = AUTH_URL
     .. '?client_id='
@@ -292,15 +283,6 @@ function OAuthClient:auth()
   vim.notify('pending.nvim: Opening browser for Google authorization...')
 
   local server = vim.uv.new_tcp()
-  local server_closed = false
-  local function close_server()
-    if server_closed then
-      return
-    end
-    server_closed = true
-    server:close()
-  end
-
   server:bind('127.0.0.1', port)
   server:listen(1, function(err)
     if err then
@@ -310,8 +292,6 @@ function OAuthClient:auth()
     server:accept(conn)
     conn:read_start(function(read_err, data)
       if read_err or not data then
-        conn:close()
-        close_server()
         return
       end
       local code = data:match('[?&]code=([^&%s]+)')
@@ -325,7 +305,7 @@ function OAuthClient:auth()
           conn:close()
         end)
       end)
-      close_server()
+      server:close()
       if code then
         vim.schedule(function()
           self:_exchange_code(creds, code, code_verifier, port)
@@ -333,13 +313,6 @@ function OAuthClient:auth()
       end
     end)
   end)
-
-  vim.defer_fn(function()
-    if not server_closed then
-      close_server()
-      vim.notify('pending.nvim: OAuth callback timed out (120s).', vim.log.levels.WARN)
-    end
-  end, 120000)
 end
 
 ---@param creds pending.OAuthCredentials
@@ -360,17 +333,19 @@ function OAuthClient:_exchange_code(creds, code, code_verifier, port)
     .. '&redirect_uri='
     .. M.url_encode('http://127.0.0.1:' .. port)
 
-  local result = M.system({
-    'curl',
-    '-s',
-    '-X',
-    'POST',
-    '-H',
-    'Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
-    '-d',
-    body,
-    TOKEN_URL,
-  }, { text = true })
+  local result = vim
+    .system({
+      'curl',
+      '-s',
+      '-X',
+      'POST',
+      '-H',
+      'Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded',
+      '-d',
+      body,
+      TOKEN_URL,
+    }, { text = true })
+    :wait()
 
   if result.code ~= 0 then
     vim.notify('pending.nvim: Token exchange failed.', vim.log.levels.ERROR)
diff --git a/plugin/pending.lua b/plugin/pending.lua
index 162dfd7..13f16d3 100644
--- a/plugin/pending.lua
+++ b/plugin/pending.lua
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ end, {
       for word in after_filter:gmatch('%S+') do
         used[word] = true
       end
-      local candidates = { 'clear', 'overdue', 'today', 'priority', 'done', 'pending' }
+      local candidates = { 'clear', 'overdue', 'today', 'priority' }
       local store = require('pending.store')
       local s = store.new(store.resolve_path())
       s:load()
diff --git a/scripts/demo-init.lua b/scripts/demo-init.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..57da080
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/demo-init.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+vim.opt.runtimepath:prepend(vim.fn.getcwd())
+local tmpdir = vim.fn.tempname()
+vim.fn.mkdir(tmpdir, 'p')
+
+vim.g.pending = {
+  data_path = tmpdir .. '/tasks.json',
+}
+
+local store = require('pending.store')
+store.load()
+
+local today = os.date('%Y-%m-%d')
+local yesterday = os.date('%Y-%m-%d', os.time() - 86400)
+local tomorrow = os.date('%Y-%m-%d', os.time() + 86400)
+
+store.add({
+  description = 'Finish quarterly report',
+  category = 'Work',
+  due = tomorrow,
+  recur = 'monthly',
+  priority = 1,
+})
+store.add({ description = 'Review pull requests', category = 'Work' })
+store.add({ description = 'Update deployment docs', category = 'Work', status = 'done' })
+store.add({ description = 'Buy groceries', category = 'Personal', due = today })
+store.add({ description = 'Call dentist', category = 'Personal', due = yesterday, priority = 1 })
+store.add({ description = 'Read chapter 5', category = 'Personal' })
+store.add({ description = 'Learn a new language', category = 'Someday' })
+store.add({ description = 'Plan hiking trip', category = 'Someday' })
+store.save()
diff --git a/scripts/demo.tape b/scripts/demo.tape
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a1eee5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/demo.tape
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+Output assets/demo.gif
+
+Require nvim
+
+Set Shell "bash"
+Set FontSize 14
+Set Width 900
+Set Height 450
+
+Type "nvim -u scripts/demo-init.lua -c 'autocmd VimEnter * Pending'"
+Enter
+
+Sleep 2s
+
+Down
+Down
+Sleep 300ms
+Down
+Sleep 300ms
+
+Enter
+Sleep 500ms
+
+Tab
+Sleep 1s
+
+Type "q"
+Sleep 200ms
diff --git a/spec/diff_spec.lua b/spec/diff_spec.lua
index 01d8aac..c2a0406 100644
--- a/spec/diff_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/diff_spec.lua
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       assert.are.equal(modified_after_first, task.modified)
     end)
 
-    it('preserves due when not present in buffer line', function()
+    it('clears due when removed from buffer line', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Pay bill', due = '2026-03-15' })
       s:save()
       local lines = {
@@ -209,20 +209,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       diff.apply(lines, s)
       s:load()
       local task = s:get(1)
-      assert.are.equal('2026-03-15', task.due)
-    end)
-
-    it('updates due when inline token is present', function()
-      s:add({ description = 'Pay bill', due = '2026-03-15' })
-      s:save()
-      local lines = {
-        '# Inbox',
-        '/1/- [ ] Pay bill due:2026-04-01',
-      }
-      diff.apply(lines, s)
-      s:load()
-      local task = s:get(1)
-      assert.are.equal('2026-04-01', task.due)
+      assert.is_nil(task.due)
     end)
 
     it('stores recur field on new tasks from buffer', function()
@@ -250,7 +237,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       assert.are.equal('weekly', task.recur)
     end)
 
-    it('preserves recur when not present in buffer line', function()
+    it('clears recur when token removed from line', function()
       s:add({ description = 'Task', recur = 'daily' })
       s:save()
       local lines = {
@@ -260,7 +247,7 @@ describe('diff', function()
       diff.apply(lines, s)
       s:load()
       local task = s:get(1)
-      assert.are.equal('daily', task.recur)
+      assert.is_nil(task.recur)
     end)
 
     it('parses rec: with completion mode prefix', function()
diff --git a/spec/sync_spec.lua b/spec/sync_spec.lua
index 93d3e2c..ce38635 100644
--- a/spec/sync_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/sync_spec.lua
@@ -49,27 +49,27 @@ describe('sync', function()
       assert.are.equal("gcal backend has no 'notreal' action", msg)
     end)
 
-    it('lists actions when action is omitted', function()
-      local msg = nil
-      local orig = vim.notify
-      vim.notify = function(m)
-        msg = m
-      end
-      pending.command('gcal')
-      vim.notify = orig
-      assert.is_not_nil(msg)
-      assert.is_truthy(msg:find('push'))
-    end)
-
-    it('routes explicit push action', function()
+    it('defaults to sync action when action is omitted', function()
       local called = false
       local gcal = require('pending.sync.gcal')
-      local orig_push = gcal.push
-      gcal.push = function()
+      local orig_sync = gcal.sync
+      gcal.sync = function()
         called = true
       end
-      pending.command('gcal push')
-      gcal.push = orig_push
+      pending.command('gcal')
+      gcal.sync = orig_sync
+      assert.is_true(called)
+    end)
+
+    it('routes explicit sync action', function()
+      local called = false
+      local gcal = require('pending.sync.gcal')
+      local orig_sync = gcal.sync
+      gcal.sync = function()
+        called = true
+      end
+      pending.command('gcal sync')
+      gcal.sync = orig_sync
       assert.is_true(called)
     end)
 
@@ -90,10 +90,10 @@ describe('sync', function()
     config.reset()
     vim.g.pending = {
       data_path = tmpdir .. '/tasks.json',
-      sync = { gcal = { client_id = 'test-id' } },
+      sync = { gcal = { calendar = 'NewStyle' } },
     }
     local cfg = config.get()
-    assert.are.equal('test-id', cfg.sync.gcal.client_id)
+    assert.are.equal('NewStyle', cfg.sync.gcal.calendar)
   end)
 
   describe('gcal module', function()
@@ -107,9 +107,9 @@ describe('sync', function()
       assert.are.equal('function', type(gcal.auth))
     end)
 
-    it('has push function', function()
+    it('has sync function', function()
       local gcal = require('pending.sync.gcal')
-      assert.are.equal('function', type(gcal.push))
+      assert.are.equal('function', type(gcal.sync))
     end)
 
     it('has health function', function()