diff --git a/backend/alembic/versions/012_add_project_is_tracked.py b/backend/alembic/versions/012_add_project_is_tracked.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f762789
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/alembic/versions/012_add_project_is_tracked.py
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+"""add is_tracked to projects
+
+Revision ID: 012
+Revises: 011
+Create Date: 2026-02-23
+
+"""
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision = "012"
+down_revision = "011"
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    op.add_column("projects", sa.Column("is_tracked", sa.Boolean(), server_default=sa.false(), nullable=False))
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    op.drop_column("projects", "is_tracked")
diff --git a/backend/app/models/project.py b/backend/app/models/project.py
index b79b8f9..1ebdbce 100644
--- a/backend/app/models/project.py
+++ b/backend/app/models/project.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from sqlalchemy import String, Text, Date, func
+from sqlalchemy import Boolean, String, Text, Date, func
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Mapped, mapped_column, relationship
 from datetime import datetime, date
 from typing import Optional, List
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ class Project(Base):
     status: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String(20), default="not_started")
     color: Mapped[Optional[str]] = mapped_column(String(20), nullable=True)
     due_date: Mapped[Optional[date]] = mapped_column(Date, nullable=True)
+    is_tracked: Mapped[bool] = mapped_column(Boolean, default=False)
     created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(default=func.now())
     updated_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(default=func.now(), onupdate=func.now())
 
diff --git a/backend/app/routers/projects.py b/backend/app/routers/projects.py
index 37f9d54..f0a89f4 100644
--- a/backend/app/routers/projects.py
+++ b/backend/app/routers/projects.py
@@ -1,15 +1,16 @@
-from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException
+from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException, Query
 from sqlalchemy.ext.asyncio import AsyncSession
 from sqlalchemy import select
 from sqlalchemy.orm import selectinload
-from typing import List
+from typing import List, Optional
+from datetime import date, timedelta
 from pydantic import BaseModel
 
 from app.database import get_db
 from app.models.project import Project
 from app.models.project_task import ProjectTask
 from app.models.task_comment import TaskComment
-from app.schemas.project import ProjectCreate, ProjectUpdate, ProjectResponse
+from app.schemas.project import ProjectCreate, ProjectUpdate, ProjectResponse, TrackedTaskResponse
 from app.schemas.project_task import ProjectTaskCreate, ProjectTaskUpdate, ProjectTaskResponse
 from app.schemas.task_comment import TaskCommentCreate, TaskCommentResponse
 from app.routers.auth import get_current_session
@@ -43,17 +44,64 @@ def _task_load_options():
 
 @router.get("/", response_model=List[ProjectResponse])
 async def get_projects(
+    tracked: Optional[bool] = Query(None),
     db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
     current_user: Settings = Depends(get_current_session)
 ):
-    """Get all projects with their tasks."""
+    """Get all projects with their tasks. Optionally filter by tracked status."""
     query = select(Project).options(*_project_load_options()).order_by(Project.created_at.desc())
+    if tracked is not None:
+        query = query.where(Project.is_tracked == tracked)
     result = await db.execute(query)
     projects = result.scalars().unique().all()
 
     return projects
 
 
+@router.get("/tracked-tasks", response_model=List[TrackedTaskResponse])
+async def get_tracked_tasks(
+    days: int = Query(7, ge=1, le=90),
+    db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
+    current_user: Settings = Depends(get_current_session)
+):
+    """Get tasks and subtasks from tracked projects with due dates within the next N days."""
+    today = date.today()
+    cutoff = today + timedelta(days=days)
+
+    query = (
+        select(ProjectTask)
+        .join(Project, ProjectTask.project_id == Project.id)
+        .options(
+            selectinload(ProjectTask.project),
+            selectinload(ProjectTask.parent_task),
+        )
+        .where(
+            Project.is_tracked == True,
+            ProjectTask.due_date.isnot(None),
+            ProjectTask.due_date >= today,
+            ProjectTask.due_date <= cutoff,
+            ProjectTask.status != "completed",
+        )
+        .order_by(ProjectTask.due_date.asc())
+    )
+    result = await db.execute(query)
+    tasks = result.scalars().unique().all()
+
+    return [
+        TrackedTaskResponse(
+            id=t.id,
+            title=t.title,
+            status=t.status,
+            priority=t.priority,
+            due_date=t.due_date,
+            project_name=t.project.name,
+            project_id=t.project_id,
+            parent_task_title=t.parent_task.title if t.parent_task else None,
+        )
+        for t in tasks
+    ]
+
+
 @router.post("/", response_model=ProjectResponse, status_code=201)
 async def create_project(
     project: ProjectCreate,
diff --git a/backend/app/schemas/project.py b/backend/app/schemas/project.py
index 650a4eb..d307f8c 100644
--- a/backend/app/schemas/project.py
+++ b/backend/app/schemas/project.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ class ProjectCreate(BaseModel):
     status: ProjectStatus = "not_started"
     color: Optional[str] = None
     due_date: Optional[date] = None
+    is_tracked: bool = False
 
 
 class ProjectUpdate(BaseModel):
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ class ProjectUpdate(BaseModel):
     status: Optional[ProjectStatus] = None
     color: Optional[str] = None
     due_date: Optional[date] = None
+    is_tracked: Optional[bool] = None
 
 
 class ProjectResponse(BaseModel):
@@ -29,8 +31,22 @@ class ProjectResponse(BaseModel):
     status: str
     color: Optional[str]
     due_date: Optional[date]
+    is_tracked: bool
     created_at: datetime
     updated_at: datetime
     tasks: List[ProjectTaskResponse] = []
 
     model_config = ConfigDict(from_attributes=True)
+
+
+class TrackedTaskResponse(BaseModel):
+    id: int
+    title: str
+    status: str
+    priority: str
+    due_date: date
+    project_name: str
+    project_id: int
+    parent_task_title: Optional[str] = None
+
+    model_config = ConfigDict(from_attributes=True)
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx
index 8dc70f7..ee10080 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DashboardPage.tsx
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import UpcomingWidget from './UpcomingWidget';
 import WeekTimeline from './WeekTimeline';
 import DayBriefing from './DayBriefing';
 import CountdownWidget from './CountdownWidget';
+import TrackedProjectsWidget from './TrackedProjectsWidget';
 import EventForm from '../calendar/EventForm';
 import TodoForm from '../todos/TodoForm';
 import ReminderForm from '../reminders/ReminderForm';
@@ -236,6 +237,11 @@ export default function DashboardPage() {
               </CardContent>
             </Card>
           )}
+
+          {/* Tracked Projects */}
+          <div className="animate-slide-up" style={{ animationDelay: '200ms', animationFillMode: 'backwards' }}>
+            <TrackedProjectsWidget />
+          </div>
         </div>
       </div>
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/dashboard/TrackedProjectsWidget.tsx b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/TrackedProjectsWidget.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..533da58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/TrackedProjectsWidget.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';
+import { format, parseISO, isPast, isToday } from 'date-fns';
+import { FolderKanban } from 'lucide-react';
+import api from '@/lib/api';
+import type { TrackedTask } from '@/types';
+import { useSettings } from '@/hooks/useSettings';
+import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle } from '@/components/ui/card';
+import { ScrollArea } from '@/components/ui/scroll-area';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+
+const priorityColors: Record<string, string> = {
+  high: 'bg-red-400',
+  medium: 'bg-yellow-400',
+  low: 'bg-green-400',
+  none: 'bg-gray-400',
+};
+
+const statusBadgeColors: Record<string, string> = {
+  pending: 'bg-gray-500/10 text-gray-400',
+  in_progress: 'bg-purple-500/10 text-purple-400',
+  blocked: 'bg-red-500/10 text-red-400',
+  review: 'bg-yellow-500/10 text-yellow-400',
+  on_hold: 'bg-orange-500/10 text-orange-400',
+};
+
+const statusLabels: Record<string, string> = {
+  pending: 'Pending',
+  in_progress: 'Active',
+  blocked: 'Blocked',
+  review: 'Review',
+  on_hold: 'Hold',
+};
+
+export default function TrackedProjectsWidget() {
+  const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const { settings } = useSettings();
+  const days = settings?.upcoming_days || 7;
+
+  const { data: tasks } = useQuery({
+    queryKey: ['tracked-tasks', days],
+    queryFn: async () => {
+      const { data } = await api.get<TrackedTask[]>(`/projects/tracked-tasks?days=${days}`);
+      return data;
+    },
+  });
+
+  if (!tasks || tasks.length === 0) return null;
+
+  return (
+    <Card>
+      <CardHeader>
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+          <CardTitle className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            <div className="p-1.5 rounded-md bg-purple-500/10">
+              <FolderKanban className="h-4 w-4 text-purple-400" />
+            </div>
+            Tracked Projects
+          </CardTitle>
+          <span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">{days} days</span>
+        </div>
+      </CardHeader>
+      <CardContent>
+        <ScrollArea className="max-h-[400px] -mr-2 pr-2">
+          <div className="space-y-0.5">
+            {tasks.map((task) => {
+              const dueDate = parseISO(task.due_date);
+              const overdue = isPast(dueDate) && !isToday(dueDate);
+
+              return (
+                <div
+                  key={task.id}
+                  className="flex items-center gap-2 py-1.5 px-2 rounded-md hover:bg-card-elevated transition-colors duration-150 cursor-pointer"
+                  onClick={() => navigate(`/projects/${task.project_id}`)}
+                >
+                  <div className={cn('w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full shrink-0', priorityColors[task.priority] || 'bg-gray-400')} />
+                  <div className="flex-1 min-w-0">
+                    <span className="text-sm font-medium truncate block">
+                      {task.parent_task_title && (
+                        <span className="text-muted-foreground font-normal">↳ </span>
+                      )}
+                      {task.title}
+                    </span>
+                    {task.parent_task_title && (
+                      <span className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground truncate block">{task.parent_task_title}</span>
+                    )}
+                  </div>
+                  <span className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground truncate shrink-0 max-w-[5rem]">{task.project_name}</span>
+                  <span className={cn(
+                    'text-xs shrink-0 whitespace-nowrap tabular-nums',
+                    overdue ? 'text-red-400' : isToday(dueDate) ? 'text-accent' : 'text-muted-foreground'
+                  )}>
+                    {isToday(dueDate) ? 'Today' : format(dueDate, 'MMM d')}
+                  </span>
+                  <span className={cn(
+                    'text-[9px] font-semibold px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded shrink-0',
+                    statusBadgeColors[task.status] || 'bg-gray-500/10 text-gray-400'
+                  )}>
+                    {statusLabels[task.status] || task.status}
+                  </span>
+                </div>
+              );
+            })}
+          </div>
+        </ScrollArea>
+      </CardContent>
+    </Card>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
index da1e897..ecd8301 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/layout/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
-import { NavLink, useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { useState } from 'react';
+import { NavLink, useNavigate, useLocation } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 import {
   LayoutDashboard,
   CheckSquare,
@@ -10,19 +12,21 @@ import {
   Settings,
   ChevronLeft,
   ChevronRight,
+  ChevronDown,
   X,
   LogOut,
 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { useAuth } from '@/hooks/useAuth';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import api from '@/lib/api';
+import type { Project } from '@/types';
 
 const navItems = [
   { to: '/dashboard', icon: LayoutDashboard, label: 'Dashboard' },
   { to: '/todos', icon: CheckSquare, label: 'Todos' },
   { to: '/calendar', icon: Calendar, label: 'Calendar' },
   { to: '/reminders', icon: Bell, label: 'Reminders' },
-  { to: '/projects', icon: FolderKanban, label: 'Projects' },
   { to: '/people', icon: Users, label: 'People' },
   { to: '/locations', icon: MapPin, label: 'Locations' },
 ];
@@ -36,13 +40,26 @@ interface SidebarProps {
 
 export default function Sidebar({ collapsed, onToggle, mobileOpen, onMobileClose }: SidebarProps) {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const location = useLocation();
   const { logout } = useAuth();
+  const [projectsExpanded, setProjectsExpanded] = useState(false);
+
+  const { data: trackedProjects } = useQuery({
+    queryKey: ['projects', 'tracked'],
+    queryFn: async () => {
+      const { data } = await api.get<Project[]>('/projects?tracked=true');
+      return data;
+    },
+  });
 
   const handleLogout = async () => {
     await logout();
     navigate('/login');
   };
 
+  const isProjectsActive = location.pathname.startsWith('/projects');
+  const showExpanded = !collapsed || mobileOpen;
+
   const navLinkClass = ({ isActive }: { isActive: boolean }) =>
     cn(
       'flex items-center gap-3 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm font-medium transition-all duration-200',
@@ -51,6 +68,80 @@ export default function Sidebar({ collapsed, onToggle, mobileOpen, onMobileClose
         : 'text-muted-foreground hover:bg-accent/10 hover:text-accent border-l-2 border-transparent'
     );
 
+  const projectsSection = (
+    <div>
+      <div
+        className={cn(
+          'flex items-center gap-3 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm font-medium transition-all duration-200 border-l-2',
+          isProjectsActive
+            ? 'bg-accent/15 text-accent border-accent'
+            : 'text-muted-foreground hover:bg-accent/10 hover:text-accent border-transparent'
+        )}
+      >
+        <FolderKanban
+          className="h-5 w-5 shrink-0 cursor-pointer"
+          onClick={() => {
+            navigate('/projects');
+            if (mobileOpen) onMobileClose();
+          }}
+        />
+        {showExpanded && (
+          <>
+            <span
+              className="flex-1 cursor-pointer"
+              onClick={() => {
+                navigate('/projects');
+                if (mobileOpen) onMobileClose();
+              }}
+            >
+              Projects
+            </span>
+            {trackedProjects && trackedProjects.length > 0 && (
+              <button
+                onClick={(e) => {
+                  e.stopPropagation();
+                  setProjectsExpanded(!projectsExpanded);
+                }}
+                className="p-0.5 rounded hover:bg-accent/10 transition-colors"
+              >
+                <ChevronDown
+                  className={cn(
+                    'h-3.5 w-3.5 transition-transform duration-200',
+                    projectsExpanded ? 'rotate-0' : '-rotate-90'
+                  )}
+                />
+              </button>
+            )}
+          </>
+        )}
+      </div>
+      {showExpanded && projectsExpanded && trackedProjects && trackedProjects.length > 0 && (
+        <div className="mt-0.5 space-y-0.5">
+          {trackedProjects.map((project) => {
+            const isActive = location.pathname === `/projects/${project.id}`;
+            return (
+              <button
+                key={project.id}
+                onClick={() => {
+                  navigate(`/projects/${project.id}`);
+                  if (mobileOpen) onMobileClose();
+                }}
+                className={cn(
+                  'flex items-center w-full text-left pl-9 pr-3 py-1.5 text-xs rounded-md transition-colors duration-150 truncate',
+                  isActive
+                    ? 'text-accent bg-accent/10'
+                    : 'text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-card-elevated'
+                )}
+              >
+                <span className="truncate">{project.name}</span>
+              </button>
+            );
+          })}
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+
   const sidebarContent = (
     <>
       <div className="flex h-16 items-center justify-between border-b px-4">
@@ -80,9 +171,10 @@ export default function Sidebar({ collapsed, onToggle, mobileOpen, onMobileClose
             className={navLinkClass}
           >
             <item.icon className="h-5 w-5 shrink-0" />
-            {(!collapsed || mobileOpen) && <span>{item.label}</span>}
+            {showExpanded && <span>{item.label}</span>}
           </NavLink>
         ))}
+        {projectsSection}
       </nav>
 
       <div className="border-t p-2 space-y-1">
@@ -92,14 +184,14 @@ export default function Sidebar({ collapsed, onToggle, mobileOpen, onMobileClose
           className={navLinkClass}
         >
           <Settings className="h-5 w-5 shrink-0" />
-          {(!collapsed || mobileOpen) && <span>Settings</span>}
+          {showExpanded && <span>Settings</span>}
         </NavLink>
         <button
           onClick={handleLogout}
           className="flex w-full items-center gap-3 rounded-lg px-3 py-2 text-sm font-medium text-muted-foreground transition-colors hover:bg-destructive/10 hover:text-destructive"
         >
           <LogOut className="h-5 w-5 shrink-0" />
-          {(!collapsed || mobileOpen) && <span>Logout</span>}
+          {showExpanded && <span>Logout</span>}
         </button>
       </div>
     </>
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/projects/ProjectCard.tsx b/frontend/src/components/projects/ProjectCard.tsx
index feee433..4d79001 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/projects/ProjectCard.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/projects/ProjectCard.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 import { useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { useMutation, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
+import { toast } from 'sonner';
 import { format, isPast, parseISO } from 'date-fns';
-import { Calendar } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Calendar, Pin } from 'lucide-react';
+import api from '@/lib/api';
 import type { Project } from '@/types';
 import { Card, CardContent, CardHeader, CardTitle, CardDescription } from '@/components/ui/card';
 import { Badge } from '@/components/ui/badge';
@@ -30,6 +33,21 @@ const statusLabels: Record<string, string> = {
 
 export default function ProjectCard({ project }: ProjectCardProps) {
   const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const queryClient = useQueryClient();
+
+  const toggleTrackMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: async () => {
+      const { data } = await api.put(`/projects/${project.id}`, { is_tracked: !project.is_tracked });
+      return data;
+    },
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['projects'] });
+      toast.success(project.is_tracked ? 'Project untracked' : 'Project tracked');
+    },
+    onError: () => {
+      toast.error('Failed to update tracking');
+    },
+  });
 
   const completedTasks = project.tasks?.filter((t) => t.status === 'completed').length || 0;
   const totalTasks = project.tasks?.length || 0;
@@ -42,11 +60,25 @@ export default function ProjectCard({ project }: ProjectCardProps) {
 
   return (
     <Card
-      className="cursor-pointer hover:shadow-lg hover:shadow-accent/5 hover:border-accent/20 transition-all duration-200"
+      className="cursor-pointer hover:shadow-lg hover:shadow-accent/5 hover:border-accent/20 transition-all duration-200 relative"
       onClick={() => navigate(`/projects/${project.id}`)}
     >
+      <button
+        onClick={(e) => {
+          e.stopPropagation();
+          toggleTrackMutation.mutate();
+        }}
+        className={`absolute top-3 right-3 p-1 rounded-md transition-colors z-10 ${
+          project.is_tracked
+            ? 'text-accent hover:bg-accent/10'
+            : 'text-muted-foreground/40 hover:text-muted-foreground hover:bg-card-elevated'
+        }`}
+        title={project.is_tracked ? 'Untrack project' : 'Track project'}
+      >
+        <Pin className={`h-3.5 w-3.5 ${project.is_tracked ? 'fill-current' : ''}`} />
+      </button>
       <CardHeader>
-        <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-2">
+        <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-2 pr-6">
           <CardTitle className="font-heading text-lg font-semibold">{project.name}</CardTitle>
           <Badge className={statusColors[project.status]}>
             {statusLabels[project.status]}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/projects/ProjectDetail.tsx b/frontend/src/components/projects/ProjectDetail.tsx
index ab055a3..bae2055 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/projects/ProjectDetail.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/projects/ProjectDetail.tsx
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import {
 } from '@dnd-kit/sortable';
 import { CSS } from '@dnd-kit/utilities';
 import {
-  ArrowLeft, Plus, Trash2, ListChecks, Pencil,
+  ArrowLeft, Plus, Trash2, ListChecks, Pencil, Pin,
   Calendar, CheckCircle2, PlayCircle, AlertTriangle,
   List, Columns3, ArrowUpDown,
 } from 'lucide-react';
@@ -188,6 +188,21 @@ export default function ProjectDetail() {
     },
   });
 
+  const toggleTrackMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: async () => {
+      const { data } = await api.put(`/projects/${id}`, { is_tracked: !project?.is_tracked });
+      return data;
+    },
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['projects'] });
+      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['projects', id] });
+      toast.success(project?.is_tracked ? 'Project untracked' : 'Project tracked');
+    },
+    onError: () => {
+      toast.error('Failed to update tracking');
+    },
+  });
+
   const reorderMutation = useMutation({
     mutationFn: async (items: { id: number; sort_order: number }[]) => {
       await api.put(`/projects/${id}/tasks/reorder`, items);
@@ -386,6 +401,16 @@ export default function ProjectDetail() {
         <Badge className={statusColors[project.status]}>
           {statusLabels[project.status]}
         </Badge>
+        <Button
+          variant="ghost"
+          size="icon"
+          onClick={() => toggleTrackMutation.mutate()}
+          disabled={toggleTrackMutation.isPending}
+          className={project.is_tracked ? 'text-accent' : 'text-muted-foreground'}
+          title={project.is_tracked ? 'Untrack project' : 'Track project'}
+        >
+          <Pin className={`h-4 w-4 ${project.is_tracked ? 'fill-current' : ''}`} />
+        </Button>
         <Button variant="outline" size="sm" onClick={() => setShowProjectForm(true)}>
           <Pencil className="mr-2 h-3.5 w-3.5" />
           Edit
diff --git a/frontend/src/types/index.ts b/frontend/src/types/index.ts
index 319d502..d1a5ed3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/types/index.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/types/index.ts
@@ -94,11 +94,23 @@ export interface Project {
   status: 'not_started' | 'in_progress' | 'completed' | 'blocked' | 'review' | 'on_hold';
   color?: string;
   due_date?: string;
+  is_tracked: boolean;
   created_at: string;
   updated_at: string;
   tasks: ProjectTask[];
 }
 
+export interface TrackedTask {
+  id: number;
+  title: string;
+  status: string;
+  priority: string;
+  due_date: string;
+  project_name: string;
+  project_id: number;
+  parent_task_title?: string;
+}
+
 export interface TaskComment {
   id: number;
   task_id: number;