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+#+TITLE: Emacs Inbox Zero Session
+#+AUTHOR: Craig Jennings & Claude
+#+DATE: 2025-11-01
+
+* Overview
+
+This workflow 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 workflow 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 workflow.
+
+*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 Workflow
+
+Trigger this workflow 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 workflow, 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 workflows 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 workflow, 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 workflows 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.