Org-mode

1. Basics
2. Agenda

see Emacs: the software that runs org-mode.

An org-mode manual pass condensing the important shortcuts and custom configurations for quick future reviews.

The core philosophy behind the tool is structuring the files as a hierarchical tree. Further specific features that are explored below make it more complete in terms of its capabilities regarding handling information.

I'll personally use org-mode for my GTD-setup and my note-taking zettelkasten

I refrain from using timestamps in the latter but do so in the former for the org-agenda and calendar functionality.

Literate programming is another powerful concept conveniently realizable via org-mode that is essential for any pedagogical content creator.

I'm covering a pretty minimal subset of all the capabilities of org-mode that I use frequently (exclusive to org-roam)

1. Basics

Some functionality that I use with high frequency

functionality	keystroke	description
capture	"C-c c"	quick templated entry into your capture buffer
store-link	"C-c l"	cache links for future convenient use
insert-link	"C-c C-l"	insert links from cache with typecasting
agenda	"C-c a"	agenda view for schedulable todos and events

my GTD-oriented capture templates are as follows:

(let ((base-gtd-path "<your base GTD file path>"))
  (setq org-capture-templates
        '(("n" "Next Action" entry (file+headline   base-gtd-path "NA")
           "* TODO %?\n  %i\n  %a")
          ("e" "Event" entry (file+headline  base-gtd-path "Events")
           "* %?\nSCHEDULED: %T\n  %i")
          ("i" "IN" entry (file+headline base-gtd-path  "INQ")
           "* %?\nEntered on %U\n  %i\n  %a")
          ("c" "consolidate" entry (file+headline base-gtd-path "Consolidate")
           "* %?\nEntered on %U\n  %i\n  %a")
          ("t" "Tickler" entry (file+headline base-gtd-path "Tickler")
           "* %?\nDEFER THOUGHT TO: %T\n %i"))))

Given the hierarchical structure of org files, folding, narrowing and widening is a staple way to manage your attention when navigating a file.

Folding a subtree is bound to be toggled by <TAB> and a global fold/unfold toggle can be triggered by <SHIFT>-<TAB>.

Narrowing is disabled by default to avoid confusion for beginners and can be activated by placing (put 'narrow-to-region 'disabled nil) in your init.el

I use evil emacs and to narrow the buffer to a particular region, simply select region via visual mode (or complete subtree with a <SHIFT-v> when collapsed) and stroke out C-x C-n C-n. To widen the buffer to the original contents, stroke out C-x C-n C-w.

Leave out not more than one line between consecutive subtrees so that the tree's neat when collapsed.

2. Agenda

I find C-c a n to be sufficient for my GTD setup. I also use org-clock to monitor the time dedicated to particular tasks and a simple <TAB> in the respective agenda line leads you to the exact place of description of that task.

(general-define-key
 :prefix "C-c"
 "C-x C-i" #'org-clock-in
 "C-x C-o" #'org-clock-out
 "C-x C-g" #'org-clock-goto)

Org-calendar and timing is feature explored in its own subtree.

Controlling other aspects of your GTD setup within the agenda buffer is convenient:

<SHIFT>-<left,right> : helps reschedule items a day before or after
<SHIFT>-<up,down> : helps change priorities for tasks quickly
hitting t (I use evil bindings) over a task toggles its TODO status

One can set deadlines and schedules for a task subtree in a buffer convenienly with C-c C-d and C-c C-s : this pops up a calendar buffer for a date to be chosen. Inserting inactive timestamps is also possible via C-c C-!. Once inserted, timestamps and ranges can be manipulated intuitively with <SHIFT> + Arrow keys.

Setting recurring events can be done by suffixing the timestamp with +<quantifier><unit of time> (+1w/d/m for instance). More complicated frequencies can be captured programatically as one liners : to capture recurrence on weekdays, one would use <%%(memq (calendar-day-of-week date) '(1 2 3 4 5))>

Org-mode

Table of Contents

1. Basics

2. Agenda