Text Editor Based Reminder

Source: Dev.to

Summary

Balancing reminders on a PC is tricky.

• You want it quick via the CLI but not too noisy.
• Open a text file where you have written the reminder. This changes the focus to the active window, ensuring you notice it.
• I call this the Text Editor Based Reminder.

Background

Reminders While Sitting at Your Desk are Difficult

First, you want to set them quickly like you would with the CLI. Using a GUI feels like overkill; a calendar should suffice. Next, it should not be too intrusive, as it can be annoying. Of course, it should not be so quiet that you “failed to notice the reminder.”

Meeting these two criteria is, in fact, quite challenging. You won’t find many decent tools out there.

It’s Best to Make Your Own Reminders

If you want the optimal reminder, it’s best to make it yourself. Below is an interesting reminder method for those who are keen on developing their own reminder solutions.

Using Your Text Editor to Remind You

A Text Editor Based Reminder refers to a method of setting reminders by opening a text file where your tasks or requirements are written.

Note: The following explanation assumes the use of Windows. If you are using another OS, please adjust accordingly.

Mechanism

When a text file is opened in your text editor, the focus on the active window shifts there. Because the focus is moved, it’s noticeable. There are no annoying sounds, vibrations, or flashing lights.

In essence, a Text Editor Based Reminder works as follows:

When setting up a reminder

1. Create a text file with a random name in a suitable folder like %temp%.
2. Write your tasks or requirements in the file.

When reminding

• Open the file created above.

That’s all there is to it. This simple setup allows a text file containing your requirements to be opened in your favorite text editor. The active window focus changes, making it easy to notice.

Examples

I use this in several of my tools.

• stakiran/w.py: Waiter Launcher – A program that launches a specified URL after n minutes.
• stakiran/aism – A CLI tool that summarizes the contents of the clipboard, outputs it to a file, and opens it.

It’s especially compatible with generative AI. You can run it in the background, and once the process is complete, remind yourself of the result using the Text Editor Based Reminder. Since it uses your favorite text editor, it’s easy to read and copy‑paste the content, making it very handy.