🌿 Focus Sprout

An ADHD-friendly VS Code extension designed to help developers stay focused with microtask breakdowns, soft reminders, and custom companions.

🚀 Getting Started

Installation

📋 Development Status: Focus Sprout is currently in active development and not yet available on the VS Code Extensions Marketplace. We're working hard to complete the core features and improve the user experience before our official release.

To try Focus Sprout now:

1. Follow the Development Setup guide to run it locally
2. This gives you access to all current features and lets you contribute to development!

Coming Soon to VS Code Marketplace: Once we complete the core features from our roadmap and polish the UX, Focus Sprout will be available through the standard installation process:

1. Open VS Code
2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
3. Search for "Focus Sprout"
4. Click Install

Want to be notified when it's ready? Star the repository on GitHub to get updates!

Setup Your Companion

1. Open the Focus Garden view (sidebar icon)
2. Create your companion with:
   • Name: Give them a personality
   • Tone: Choose their communication style
   • Sample Message: Define how they'll encourage you

Using the Extension

Focus Sessions

1. Click "Start focus" in the timer section
2. Work for 25 minutes with your companion's support
3. Take a 5-minute break when prompted
4. Repeat for optimal productivity

Task Management

• Use /addtask to add items to your focus list
• Check off completed tasks directly in the interface
• Use /listtasks to get a quick overview via notification

File Notes

• Notes automatically appear when you open a file
• Type directly in the note area - auto-saves as you type
• Perfect for TODO items, bug notes, or implementation ideas

✨ Current Features

🤖 Custom Companion System

• Personalized AI Companion: Create your own focus buddy with custom name, tone, and personality
• Multiple Personality Types: Choose from Gentle, Smart but Soft, Drill Sergeant, or Chaos Gremlin
• Adaptive Messaging: Your companion provides encouragement and reminders in their unique voice
• Editable Companion: Use "Focus Sprout: Add Companion" to modify your companion anytime

📋 Interactive Task Management

• Global Task List: Workspace-wide task management with interactive checkboxes
• Visual Task List: Check off completed tasks with real-time visual feedback
• Console Commands: Add, list, and manage tasks through the companion console
• Persistent Storage: Tasks survive VS Code reloads and persist between sessions

⏱️ Focus Timer (Pomodoro-Style)

• 25-minute Focus Sessions: Standard Pomodoro technique timing
• 5-minute Break Reminders: Automatic break prompts after focus sessions
• Visual Timer Display: Real-time countdown with current mode indication
• Smart Notifications: Gentle reminders when sessions complete
• Flexible Controls: Start, pause, and reset functionality

📝 File-Specific Notes

• Per-File Notes: Keep notes for each file you're working on
• Auto-Save: Notes save automatically as you type
• Context Switching: Notes persist when switching between files
• Manual Save Option: Explicit save button for important notes

💬 Companion Console

Interactive command-line interface with features:

• Autocomplete: Type / and see command suggestions with arrow key navigation
• Real-time Filtering: Commands filter as you type
• Click to Complete: Click suggestions to auto-complete commands

🎨 Companion Personalities

Choose from four distinct personality types to match your needs:

💖 Gentle

Soft, encouraging, and understanding. Perfect for sensitive days.

🧠 Smart but Soft

Intelligent insights delivered with kindness. Great for learning sessions.

🔥 Drill Sergeant

Direct, motivating, and results-focused. For when you need a push.

🤪 Chaos Gremlin

Playful, quirky, and unpredictable. Adds fun to your workflow.

🔧 Configuration

The extension stores data in VS Code's workspace state:

• Tasks: Saved per workspace
• Companion Settings: Global across all workspaces
• File Notes: Saved per file path
• Timer State: Remembers current session

📚 Documentation

• 🗺️ Roadmap - Planned features and improvements
• 💬 Commands - Available console and VS Code commands
• 🧠 ADHD Design - How Focus Sprout supports neurodivergent developers
• 🤖 AI Features - Advanced companion AI capabilities (planned)
• 🛠️ Development - Setup guide and contribution guidelines
• 🔧 Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions

🧠 ADHD-Friendly Design

Focus Sprout is specifically designed to support developers with ADHD by providing gentle, non-judgmental assistance with common ADHD challenges like executive function, time management, and emotional regulation.

👉 Learn more about our ADHD-friendly design principles

🤝 Contributing

This extension is designed with neurodiversity in mind. Contributions that improve accessibility, reduce cognitive load, or enhance the user experience for people with ADHD are especially welcome.

👉 See the development guide for setup instructions and contribution guidelines.

📄 License

This project is open source and available under the MIT License.

🌱 About Focus Sprout

Focus Sprout was created to support developers with ADHD and anyone who struggles with sustained attention. By combining proven techniques like the Pomodoro method with personalized encouragement and micro-task management, it aims to make coding sessions more enjoyable and productive.

The companion system is designed to be your coding buddy - someone who understands your struggles and celebrates your wins, no matter how small.

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Happy coding! 🌿✨