VSCode Working Memory

Plaintext productivity with a single file

Single file plaintext productivity - Access Working Memory file from anywhere in VSCode.

Fork of VSCode Daily Notes extension.

Icon created by DALL-E.

Idea

The extension is inspired by Cal Newport's idea about WorkingMemory.txt file. See the Deep Questions podcast episode for more details.

The core of the idea is to use a single text file as a trusted capture mechanism.

WorkingMemory.txt is a simple text file where you constantly add stuff to it. Always look at it. Let it grow. Clean things off.

If you spend a lot of time in VSCode during your workday, jumping from one workspace/project to another, you can use Working Memory to capture bits and pieces of information throughout your work day.

This extension enables you to open a single text or markdown file from anywhere or to quickly capture something to this file without opening it.

The file itself has no specific structure. It begins with a second-level markdown header ## Capture and has several empty lines.

Appending lines to the file with Alt+I will insert the text line surrounded by empty lines below the ## Capture heading to make the text clearly noticeable when you revisit your Working Memory text file.

Features

• Access your Working Memory conveniently with a shortcut: Alt+M
• Capture to Working Memory from anywhere with a shortcut: Alt+I
• Made in Markdown format so VSCode preview is possible with: Ctrl+Shift+V

Usage

There are 2 ways to open Working Memory:

• VSCode Command: Ctrl+Shift+P or F1, then type Working Memory: Open
• Shortcut Key-bind: Press Alt+M

If the Daily Notes file is already open:

• Press Ctrl+W to close the file
• Press Ctrl+S to save the file

You may save your note file anywhere:

• Create a new file wm.md, copy the path, and set the workingmemory.filePath in config.

Using Alt+M

You can insert a quick note without opening the Daily Notes File: Press Alt+I

Extension Settings

This extension contributes the following settings:

• workingmemory.filePath: The complete location of the file to be used. When empty the file will be created in the user's home directory.
  • Sample path for Windows: c:/Users/John/daily-notes.md
  • Sample path for Mac or Linux: Users/john/daily-notes.md

Roadmap

General improvements: optional structuring of the Working Memory file and improvements to context-specific capture/append commands.

• [ ] Quickly insert code from other files as Markdown code blocks in Working Memory (in a separate section).
• [ ] Option to place Working Memory in the sidebar similar to Sidebar Markdown Notes
• [ ] Implement ## Weekly plan into the Working Memory workflow as a separate optional section with new commands.
• [ ] Markdown Time-blocking.

Contributing

• Pull requests are welcome for features and bug fixes
• Feel free to create issues when you encounter problems

License

The extension is available as open source under the terms of the MIT License.