https://i.redd.it/lacddemakyth1.gif

Hi r/emacs and r/orgmode,

If you rely on Org-mode for time tracking and scheduling, you’ve probably hit this dilemma when tackling a large task:

1. Headlines (** TODO) are too heavy: If you break down every micro-step of a 2-hour task into subheadings, your agenda gets flooded, your outline gets cluttered, and scheduling becomes noisy.
2. Checklists (- [ ]) lack time tracking and budgeting: Checklists are lightweight and ideal for micro-steps, but in vanilla Org they are second-class citizens. They don't support individual effort estimates, micro-timers, or roll-up budgeting.
3. Scope creep is invisible: You start working on a 2-hour task, add subtasks on the fly, and only realize you planned 3.5 hours of work after your schedule has drifted.

To solve this, used AI to build org-focus-hud — a distraction-free, monotasking execution cockpit that bridges the gap between high-level TODO headlines and granular checklist items.

⚡ Key Features

1. Checklist Time Tracking & Micro-Timers

• Checklist Estimates: Add time estimates directly to items (- [ ] Validate token [25m], [1.5h], [90m]). The HUD renders clean right-aligned effort badges ([0:25], [✓ 0:30]).
• Active Focus (f or RET): Press f on any checklist item to set it in-progress (▶ [-]). It automatically clocks into the parent task and starts a live micro-timer (e.g. ⏱️ 14m / 25m) synchronized with org-clock.
• Lockstep Pausing (p): Press p to pause both the main task clock and checklist micro-timer (⏱️ 14m / 25m (paused)). Resuming seamlessly continues elapsed time accumulation.

2. Dynamic Scope Budgeting & Deficit Warnings

• Scope Allocation Bar: Visual ledger tracking Done, Left, and Reserve against the parent task's :EFFORT: envelope: ALLOC: [█████░░░░░░░░░░·····] 30m Done · 1h Left · 30m Reserve / 2h
• Real-time Deficit Alert: If you decompose a task on the fly (k) and subtasks exceed the parent effort, the HUD immediately warns of scope creep: ALLOC: [████████░░░░░░░░░░▓▓] 2h 15m planned · ⚠️ +15m deficit / 2h
• Nested Envelopes & Rollups: Multi-level checklists roll up child efforts leaf-first ([Σ 1:15], [1:15 / 1:30]) without double-counting.

3. Zero-Context-Switching Workflow

• Automatic Milestone Capture: Marking an item complete ([X]) automatically clocks a timestamped milestone entry into your :LOGBOOK: drawer with the exact duration spent.
• In-Cockpit Manipulation: Add items (k), edit text & estimates simultaneously (e), reorder items across body text (M-j / M-k), or indent/outdent (M-h / M-l) without leaving the HUD.
• Quick Capture: Append work log entries (l), capture quick notes (n), add child subtasks (s), or queue sibling tasks (a).
• Vanilla Compatible: Works out of the box with standard org-clock, :EFFORT:, and :LOGBOOK:. Seamlessly integrates with org-auto-scheduler if installed.

📦 Installation & Links

• GitHub Repository: https://github.com/SSD2019/org-focus-hud
• Available via use-package with straight.el, quelpa, or manual load.

Feedback, feature requests, and workflow questions are welcome!