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-#+TITLE: Emacs Inbox Zero Session
-#+AUTHOR: Craig Jennings & Claude
-#+DATE: 2025-11-01
-
-* Overview
-
-This session processes the Emacs Config Inbox to zero by filtering tasks through the V2MOM framework. Items either move to active V2MOM methods, get moved to someday-maybe, or get deleted. This weekly discipline prevents backlog buildup and ensures only strategic work gets done.
-
-* Problem We're Solving
-
-Emacs is Craig's most-used software by a significant margin. It's the platform for email, calendar, task management, note-taking, programming, reading, music, podcasts, and more. When Emacs breaks, everything stops—including critical life tasks like family emails, doctor appointments, and bills.
-
-The V2MOM (Vision, Values, Methods, Obstacles, Metrics) framework provides strategic balance between fixing/improving Emacs versus using it for real work. But without weekly maintenance, the system collapses under backlog.
-
-** The Specific Problem
-
-Features and bugs get logged in the "Emacs Config Inbox" heading of =~/.emacs.d/todo.org=. If not sorted weekly:
-- Items pile up and become unmanageable
-- Unclear what's actually important
-- Method 1 ("Make Using Emacs Frictionless") doesn't progress
-- Two key metrics break:
- 1. *Active todo count:* Should be < 20 items
- 2. *Weekly triage consistency:* Must happen at least once per week by Sunday, no longer than 7 days between sessions
-
-** What Happens Without This Session
-
-Without weekly inbox zero:
-- Backlog grows until overwhelming
-- Can't distinguish signal from noise
-- V2MOM becomes theoretical instead of practical
-- Config maintenance competes with real work instead of enabling it
-- Discipline muscle (Method 6: ruthless prioritization) atrophies
-
-*Impact:* The entire V2MOM system fails. Config stays broken longer. Real work gets blocked more often.
-
-* Exit Criteria
-
-The session is complete when:
-- Zero todo items remain under the "* Emacs Config Inbox" heading in =~/.emacs.d/todo.org=
-- All items have been routed to: V2MOM methods, someday-maybe, or deleted
-- Can verify by checking the org heading (should be empty or show "0/0" in agenda)
-
-*IMPORTANT:* We are ONLY processing items under the "* Emacs Config Inbox" heading. Items already organized under Method 1-6 headings have already been triaged and should NOT be touched during this session.
-
-*Measurable validation:*
-- Open =todo.org= and navigate to "* Emacs Config Inbox" heading
-- Confirm no child tasks exist under this heading only
-- Bonus: Check that active todo count is < 20 items across entire V2MOM
-
-* When to Use This Session
-
-Trigger this session when:
-- It's Sunday and you haven't triaged this week
-- 7 days have passed since last triage (hard deadline)
-- "Emacs Config Inbox" has accumulated items
-- You notice yourself avoiding looking at the inbox (sign it's becoming overwhelming)
-- Before starting any new Emacs config work (ensures highest-priority work happens first)
-
-*Recommended cadence:* Every Sunday, 10 minutes, no exceptions.
-
-* Approach: How We Work Together
-
-** Phase 1: Sort by Priority
-
-First, ensure todo items are sorted by priority in =todo.org=:
-- A (highest priority)
-- B
-- C
-- No priority
-- D (lowest priority)
-
-This ensures we always look at the most important items first. If time runs short, at least the high-priority items got processed.
-
-** Phase 2: Claude Rereads V2MOM
-
-Before processing any items, Claude rereads [[file:../EMACS-CONFIG-V2MOM.org][EMACS-CONFIG-V2MOM.org]] to have it fresh in mind. This ensures filtering decisions are grounded in the strategic framework.
-
-*What Claude should pay attention to:*
-- The 6 Methods and their concrete actions
-- The Values (Intuitive, Fast, Simple) and what they mean
-- The Metrics (especially active todo count < 20)
-- Method 6 discipline practices (ruthless prioritization, weekly triage, ship-over-research)
-
-** Phase 3: Process Each Item (in Priority Order)
-
-*IMPORTANT:* Process ONLY items under the "* Emacs Config Inbox" heading. Items already organized under Method 1-6 have been triaged and should remain where they are.
-
-For each item under "* Emacs Config Inbox", work through these questions:
-
-*** Question 1: Does this task need to be done at all?
-
-*Consider:*
-- Has something changed?
-- Was this a mistake?
-- Do I disagree with this idea now?
-- Is this actually important?
-
-*If NO:* **DELETE** the item immediately. Don't move it anywhere. Kill it.
-
-*Examples of deletions:*
-- "Add Signal client to Emacs" - Cool idea, not important
-- "Try minimap mode" - Interesting, doesn't serve vision
-- "Research 5 different completion frameworks" - Already have Vertico/Corfu, stop researching
-
-*** Question 2: Is this task related to the Emacs Config V2MOM?
-
-*If NO:* **Move to** =docs/someday-maybe.org=
-
-These are tasks that might be good ideas but don't serve the current strategic focus. They're not deleted (might revisit later) but they're out of active consideration.
-
-*Examples:*
-- LaTeX improvements (no concrete need yet)
-- Elfeed dashboard redesign (unclear if actually used)
-- New theme experiments (side project competing with maintenance)
-
-*** Question 3: Which V2MOM method does this relate to?
-
-*If YES (related to V2MOM):*
-
-Claude suggests which method(s) this might relate to:
-- Method 1: Make Using Emacs Frictionless (performance, bug fixes, missing features)
-- Method 2: Stop Problems Before They Appear (package upgrades, deprecation removal)
-- Method 3: Make Fixing Emacs Frictionless (tooling, testing, profiling)
-- Method 4: Contribute to the Emacs Ecosystem (package maintenance)
-- Method 5: Be Kind To Your Future Self (new capabilities)
-- Method 6: Develop Disciplined Engineering Practices (meta-practices)
-
-*This is a conversation.* If the relationship is only tangential:
-- **Claude should push back** - "This seems tangential. Adding it would dilute focus and delay V2MOM completion. Are you sure this serves the vision?"
-- Help Craig realize it doesn't fit through questions
-- The more we add, the longer V2MOM takes, the harder it is to complete
-
-*If item relates to multiple methods:*
-Pick the **highest priority method** (Method 1 > Method 2 > Method 3 > etc.)
-
-*IMPORTANT: Capture useful context!*
-During discussion, Craig may provide:
-- Impact estimates ("15-20 seconds × 12 times/day")
-- Theories about root causes
-- Context about why this matters
-- Examples of when the problem occurs
-
-**When moving items to methods, add this context to the task description.** This preserves valuable information for later execution and helps prioritize work accurately.
-
-*Then:* Move the item to the appropriate method section in the V2MOM or active todo list with enriched context.
-
-** Phase 4: Verify and Celebrate
-
-Once all items are processed:
-1. Verify "Emacs Config Inbox" heading is empty
-2. Check that active todo count is < 20 items
-3. Note the date of this triage session
-4. Acknowledge: You've practiced ruthless prioritization (Method 6 skill development)
-
-** Decision Framework: When Uncertain
-
-If you're uncertain whether an item fits V2MOM:
-
-1. **Ask: Does this directly serve the Vision?** (Work at speed of thought, stable config, comprehensive workflows)
-2. **Ask: Does this align with Values?** (Intuitive, Fast, Simple)
-3. **Ask: Is this in the Methods already?** (If not explicitly listed, probably shouldn't add)
-4. **Ask: What's the opportunity cost?** (Every new item delays everything else)
-
-*When in doubt:* Move to someday-maybe. You can always pull it back later if it proves critical. Better to be conservative than to dilute focus.
-
-* Principles to Follow
-
-** Claude's Role: "You're here to help keep me honest"
-
-Craig is developing discipline (Method 6: ruthless prioritization). Not making progress = not getting better.
-
-*Claude's responsibilities:*
-- If task clearly fits V2MOM → Confirm and move forward quickly
-- If task is unclear/tangential → **Ask questions** to help Craig realize it doesn't fit or won't lead to V2MOM success
-- Enable ruthless prioritization by helping Craig say "no"
-- Don't let good ideas distract from great goals
-
-*Example questions Claude might ask:*
-- "This is interesting, but which specific metric does it improve?"
-- "We already have 3 items in Method 1 addressing performance. Does this add something different?"
-- "This would be fun to build, but does it make using Emacs more frictionless?"
-- "If you had to choose between this and fixing org-agenda (30s → 5s), which serves the vision better?"
-
-** Time Efficiency: 10 Minutes Active Work
-
-Don't take too long on any single item. Splitting philosophical hairs = procrastination.
-
-*Target:* **10 minutes active work time** (not clock time - interruptions expected)
-
-*If spending > 1 minute on a single item:*
-- Decision is unclear → Move to someday-maybe (safe default)
-- Come back to it later if it proves critical
-- Keep moving
-
-*Why this matters:*
-- Weekly consistency requires low friction
-- Perfect categorization doesn't matter as much as consistent practice
-- Getting through all items > perfectly routing each item
-
-** Ruthless Prioritization Over Completeness
-
-The goal is not to do everything in the inbox. The goal is to identify and focus on what matters most.
-
-*Better to:*
-- Delete 50% of items and ship the other 50%
-- Than keep 100% and ship 0%
-
-*Remember:*
-- Every item kept is opportunity cost
-- V2MOM already has plenty of work
-- "There will always be cool ideas out there to implement and they will always be a web search away" (Craig's words)
-
-** Bias Toward Action
-
-When processing items that ARE aligned with V2MOM:
-- Move them to the appropriate method quickly
-- Don't overthink the categorization
-- Getting it 80% right is better than spending 5 minutes getting it 100% right
-- You can always recategorize later during regular triage
-
-* Living Document
-
-This is a living document. After each emacs-inbox-zero session, consider:
-- Did the workflow make sense?
-- Were any steps unclear or unnecessary?
-- Did any new situations arise that need decision frameworks?
-- Did the 10-minute target work, or should it adjust?
-
-Update this document with learnings to make future sessions smoother.
-
-* Example Session Walkthrough
-
-** Setup
-- Open =~/.emacs.d/todo.org=
-- Navigate to "Emacs Config Inbox" heading
-- Verify items are sorted by priority (A → B → C → none → D)
-- Claude rereads =EMACS-CONFIG-V2MOM.org=
-
-** Processing Example Items
-
-*** Example 1: [#A] Fix org-agenda slowness (30+ seconds)
-
-*Q1: Does this need to be done?* YES - Daily pain point blocking productivity
-
-*Q2: Related to V2MOM?* YES - Method 1 explicitly lists this
-
-*Q3: Which method?* Method 1: Make Using Emacs Frictionless
-
-*Action:* Move to Method 1 active tasks (or confirm already there)
-
-*Time:* 15 seconds
-
-*** Example 2: [#B] Add Signal client to Emacs
-
-*Q1: Does this need to be done?* Let's think...
-
-Claude: "What problem does this solve? Is messaging in Emacs part of the Vision?"
-
-Craig: "Not really, I already use Signal on my phone fine."
-
-*Action:* **DELETE** - Doesn't serve vision, already have working solution
-
-*Time:* 30 seconds
-
-*** Example 3: [#C] Try out minimap mode for code navigation
-
-*Q1: Does this need to be done?* Interesting idea, but not important
-
-*Action:* **DELETE** or move to someday-maybe - Interesting, not important
-
-*Time:* 10 seconds
-
-*** Example 4: [#B] Implement transcription workflow
-
-*Q1: Does this need to be done?* YES - Want to transcribe recordings for notes
-
-*Q2: Related to V2MOM?* Maybe... seems like new feature?
-
-Claude: "This seems like Method 5: Be Kind To Your Future Self - new capability you'll use repeatedly. Complete code already exists in old todo.org. But we're still working through Method 1 (frictionless) and Method 2 (stability). Should this wait, or is transcription critical?"
-
-Craig: "Actually yes, I record meetings and need transcripts. This is important."
-
-*Q3: Which method?* Method 5: Be Kind To Your Future Self
-
-*Action:* Move to Method 5 (but note: prioritize after Methods 1-3)
-
-*Time:* 45 seconds (good conversation, worth the time)
-
-** Result
-- 4 items processed in ~2 minutes
-- 1 moved to Method 1 (already there)
-- 1 deleted
-- 1 deleted or moved to someday-maybe
-- 1 moved to Method 5
-- Inbox is clearer, focus is sharper
-
-* Conclusion
-
-Emacs inbox zero is not about getting through email or org-capture. It's about **strategic filtering of config maintenance work**. By processing the inbox weekly, you:
-
-- Keep maintenance load manageable (< 20 active items)
-- Ensure only V2MOM-aligned work happens
-- Practice ruthless prioritization (Method 6 skill)
-- Prevent backlog from crushing future productivity
-- Build the discipline that makes all other methods sustainable
-
-**The session takes 10 minutes. Not doing it costs days of distracted, unfocused work on things that don't matter.**
-
-*Remember:* Inbox zero is not about having zero things to do. It's about knowing exactly what you're NOT doing, so you can focus completely on what matters most.
-
-* Living Document
-
-This is a living document. After each emacs-inbox-zero session, consider:
-- Did the workflow make sense?
-- Were any steps unclear or unnecessary?
-- Did any new situations arise that need decision frameworks?
-- Did the 10-minute target work, or should it adjust?
-
-Update this document with learnings to make future sessions smoother.
-
-** Updates and Learnings
-
-*** 2025-11-01: First validation session - Process works!
-
-*Session results:*
-- 5 items processed in ~10 minutes (target met)
-- 1 deleted (duplicate), 2 moved to Method 1, 2 moved to someday-maybe
-- Inbox cleared to zero
-- Priority sorting worked well
-- Three-question filter was effective
-- Caught duplicate task and perfectionism pattern in real-time
-
-*Key learning: Capture useful context during triage*
-When Craig provides impact estimates ("15-20 seconds × 12 times/day"), theories, or context during discussion, **Claude should add this information to the task description** when moving items to methods. This preserves valuable context for execution and helps with accurate prioritization.
-
-Example: "Optimize org-capture target building" was enriched with "15-20 seconds every time capturing a task (12+ times/day). Major daily bottleneck - minutes lost waiting, plus context switching cost."
-
-*Impact:* Better task descriptions → better prioritization → better execution.