initial commit

4 files changed, 814 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6106eb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+# Keep the repository focused on the literate source and project docs.
+/*
+!/.gitignore
+!/AGENTS.md
+!/README.md
+!/config.org
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f41e7d5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+# AGENTS.md
+
+## Project Purpose
+
+This repository is for the creation and maintenance of Emacs 30 configuration files.
+
+## Repository Layout
+
+- `config.org` is the single hand-edited source of truth for the configuration.
+- `init.el` and `early-init.el` are generated from `config.org` and should not be edited directly.
+- Structure the literate config by startup responsibility first, then by workflow domain.
+- The current Org workflow lives under `~/org/` with `daily/`, `projects/`, `areas/`, `areas/people/`, `resources/`, and `archives/`.
+- Daily notes stay as plain Org files under `~/org/daily/`; longer-lived notes are handled through Denote in the same root.
+- Agenda files are discovered dynamically from the project, area, and resource directories rather than from a fixed file list.
+- The config also includes a small gptel workflow that uses GitHub Copilot as the backend.
+- Do not treat `auto-save-list/` as source content.
+
+## Editing Expectations
+
+- Prefer small, focused changes over broad rewrites.
+- Edit `config.org` first, then regenerate the derived files instead of patching generated output by hand.
+- Preserve existing Emacs Lisp style and naming where patterns already exist.
+- Avoid unrelated refactors while working on a specific configuration task.
+- Keep narrative prose close to the configuration it explains, especially around the note-taking workflow and startup behavior.
+- Be explicit about GUI-versus-terminal behavior. If a change affects `emacs -nw`, avoid moving terminal UI changes earlier in startup unless that timing is intentional.
+- If the literate file starts to lose coherence, improve its sectioning and prose before introducing new generated helper files.
+
+## Validation Expectations
+
+- For Emacs Lisp changes, tangle `config.org` and verify the generated configuration loads cleanly before claiming completion.
+- When Emacs is available, prefer a batch check such as `emacs --batch -Q --load init.el` from the repository root.
+- Keep regression checks aligned with the generated startup path rather than any retired hand-maintained module layout.
+- For changes that affect terminal Emacs behavior, verify in an actual `emacs -nw` session as well as batch mode; batch load alone will not catch interactive tty regressions.
+
+## Documentation Expectations
+
+- Document non-obvious conventions close to the relevant configuration in `config.org`.
+- Update `README.md` whenever configuration or workflow changes alter package usage, startup behavior, keybindings, directory layout, capture flow, or other documented behavior.
+- `README.md` must describe the current configuration truthfully. Do not leave stale documentation behind and do not document planned behavior as current behavior.
+- Update AGENTS.md when the repo workflow, Org layout, or verification expectations materially change.
+- Keep AGENTS.md concise and update it only when the repository structure or working rules actually change.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..66c87e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+# Emacs Configuration
+
+This repository contains a literate Emacs configuration built around Org mode, Denote, a PARA-style note layout, and a small completion stack. The hand-edited source is `config.org`; `init.el` and `early-init.el` are generated from it.
+
+## Emacs Setup
+
+### Source of truth and generated files
+
+`config.org` is the only file intended for manual configuration edits. The generated startup files are:
+
+- `early-init.el` for settings that must exist before the first GUI frame.
+- `init.el` for the main runtime configuration.
+
+Both generated files are tangled from `config.org` and should be treated as build artifacts.
+
+### Package bootstrap
+
+The config bootstraps packages with built-in `package.el` and uses `use-package` for declaration and load order. Package archives are configured with GNU, NonGNU ELPA, and MELPA, with GNU given highest priority.
+
+### Core packages and built-in modules
+
+The current setup uses these packages and built-in modules:
+
+- `org` and `org-capture` for agenda, capture, daily notes, and the literate configuration itself.
+- `denote` for durable notes, naming, keywords, and linking.
+- `vertico` for minibuffer completion UI.
+- `orderless` for flexible completion matching.
+- `marginalia` for minibuffer annotations.
+- `gptel` with the GitHub Copilot backend for chat and rewrite workflows inside Emacs.
+- `dired` with a macOS-safe `ls` configuration.
+- `time` for the modeline clock.
+- `modus-themes`, using `modus-vivendi` in the current config.
+
+### Org mode and note layout
+
+The note system lives under `~/org/` and is organized like this:
+
+- `daily/` for plain daily Org files.
+- `projects/` for project notes.
+- `areas/` for area notes.
+- `areas/people/` for people-related notes.
+- `resources/` for reference material.
+- `archives/` for archived notes.
+
+This is a PARA-style layout, but the agenda is intentionally narrower than the full tree. Agenda files are discovered dynamically from `projects/`, `areas/`, and `resources/` only. Daily notes and archives are excluded from the agenda scan.
+
+### Completion setup
+
+The minibuffer stack is intentionally small:
+
+- `vertico` provides the completion UI.
+- `orderless` handles matching.
+- `marginalia` adds annotations.
+
+### Babel tangle process
+
+The literate config uses Org Babel to generate the runtime files. Most Emacs Lisp blocks inherit `:tangle init.el` from the file header, while early-startup blocks explicitly tangle to `early-init.el`.
+
+To regenerate the generated files from the repo root:
+
+```sh
+emacs --batch -Q --eval '(progn (require (quote ob-tangle)) (org-babel-tangle-file "config.org"))'
+```
+
+To verify that the generated main config still loads:
+
+```sh
+emacs --batch -Q --load ./init.el
+```
+
+## Workflow
+
+### Daily notes
+
+Daily notes are plain Org files in `~/org/daily/`, named by date. When a daily note is created through the config, it starts with these headings:
+
+- `Tasks`
+- `Meetings`
+- `Notes`
+- `Open loops`
+
+This keeps daily capture fast without routing everything through Denote.
+
+### Agenda usage
+
+The agenda is opened through `ss/open-agenda`, bound to `C-c a`. Before running `org-agenda`, the config refreshes `org-agenda-files` from the PARA directories and explicitly loads `org-agenda` so agenda-specific variables are available.
+
+This means the agenda reflects the current project, area, and resource files at runtime instead of relying on a fixed file list.
+
+### Capture flow
+
+`C-c c` opens capture. The configured templates cover:
+
+- daily tasks
+- daily notes
+- daily meetings
+- Denote-backed captures for generic notes, projects, areas, people, resources, and meetings
+
+Denote captures prompt for title, keywords, and subdirectory placement where appropriate, while daily captures write directly into the current day's plain Org file.
+
+### Note creation and linking
+
+Denote handles long-lived notes. The main bindings are:
+
+- `C-c n n` to open or create a Denote note.
+- `C-c n l` to insert a Denote link.
+- `C-c n m` to create a PARA subdirectory from the minibuffer before capturing into it.
+- `C-c n d` to open today's daily note.
+
+Keyword prompts and directory placement are part of the workflow, not an afterthought. The config is set up so structure is created first, then capture writes into it.
+
+### Terminal and GUI behavior
+
+GUI Emacs and terminal Emacs are handled slightly differently.
+
+- GUI frames get the preferred frame size, font setup, and UI trimming.
+- In `emacs -nw`, the menu bar is disabled on `emacs-startup-hook` rather than earlier in startup, because changing that timing too early caused interactive terminal regressions in kitty.
+
+If you change terminal behavior, test it in a real `emacs -nw` session. Batch load checks are necessary, but they are not enough for tty input and UI behavior.
+
+## Maintenance Rules
+
+- Update `config.org` first, then regenerate `init.el` and `early-init.el`.
+- Keep this README aligned with the current configuration. If package usage, startup behavior, keybindings, or workflow changes, update this file in the same change.
+- Do not document planned behavior as if it already exists.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/config.org b/config.org
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1992330
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config.org
@@ -0,0 +1,642 @@
+#+title: Emacs Configuration
+#+startup: overview
+#+DATE: 2026-03-24T10:00:00+11:00
+#+DRAFT: false
+#+PROPERTY: header-args:emacs-lisp :results silent :tangle init.el
+
+* Early startup
+
+These settings have to exist before the first GUI frame is created, so they
+tangle into =early-init.el=.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp :tangle early-init.el
+;;; early-init.el --- generated from config.org -*- lexical-binding: t; -*-
+
+;;; Commentary:
+
+;; This file is generated from config.org. Do not edit it directly.
+
+;;; Code:
+
+(dolist (parameter '((width . 140)
+									 (height . 42)))
+	(add-to-list 'default-frame-alist parameter)
+	(add-to-list 'initial-frame-alist parameter))
+#+end_src
+
+* Bootstrapping
+
+This is the start of the main runtime entry point, which tangles into =init.el=.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+;;; init.el --- generated from config.org -*- lexical-binding: t; -*-
+
+;;; Commentary:
+
+;; This file is generated from config.org. Do not edit it directly.
+
+;;; Code:
+
+(let ((minver "27.1"))
+	(when (version< emacs-version minver)
+		(error "Your Emacs is too old -- this config requires v%s or higher" minver)))
+(when (version< emacs-version "28.1")
+	(message
+	 (concat
+		"Your Emacs is old, and some functionality in this config will be "
+		"disabled. Please upgrade if possible.")))
+#+end_src
+
+* Shared paths and system identity
+
+These definitions set up the shared paths used by the rest of the
+configuration, including the Org directory under =~/org/=.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+  (defconst *spell-check-support-enabled* nil)
+  (defconst *is-a-windows* (memq system-type '(windows-nt ms-dos cygwin)))
+  (defconst *is-a-linux* (eq system-type 'gnu/linux))
+  (defconst *is-a-mac* (eq system-type 'darwin))
+
+  (defun ss/home-path (path)
+  	"Expand PATH relative to the user's home directory."
+  	(expand-file-name path "~"))
+
+  (defun ss/config-path (path)
+  	"Expand PATH relative to `user-emacs-directory'."
+  	(expand-file-name path user-emacs-directory))
+
+  (defun ss/org-path (path)
+	"Expand PATH relative to the Org directory."
+	(expand-file-name path (ss/home-path "org/")))
+
+  (provide 'init-paths)
+
+  ;; Keep custom-set-variables out of the main config.
+  (setq custom-file (ss/config-path "custom.el"))
+#+end_src
+
+* Package setup
+
+This section bootstraps packages and defines the archives the rest of the
+configuration relies on.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+  (eval-and-compile
+    (require 'package)
+
+    (setq package-archives
+  			  (append '(("melpa" . "https://melpa.org/packages/"))
+  						 package-archives)
+  		  package-archive-priorities '(("gnu" . 10)
+  				                       ("nongnu" . 8)
+  								     ("melpa" . 5))
+          package-install-upgrade-built-in t
+  		  use-package-always-ensure nil)
+
+    (package-initialize)
+    (require 'use-package))
+#+end_src
+
+* Interface defaults
+
+This section sets the visual defaults: theme, fonts, and frame behavior.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+  (defconst ss/font-family "JetBrains Mono"
+  	"Preferred font family for GUI Emacs.")
+
+  (defconst ss/font-height 160
+  	"Preferred default font height for GUI Emacs.")
+
+  (defconst ss/font-weight 'medium
+  	"Preferred default font weight for GUI Emacs.")
+
+  (defconst ss/frame-width 140
+  	"Preferred width for graphical Emacs frames, in columns.")
+
+  (defconst ss/frame-height 42
+  	"Preferred height for graphical Emacs frames, in lines.")
+
+  (defun ss/apply-frame-size (&optional frame)
+  	"Apply the preferred size to FRAME when it is graphical.
+  If FRAME is nil, use the selected frame."
+  	(let ((target-frame (or frame (selected-frame))))
+  		(when (display-graphic-p target-frame)
+  			(set-frame-size target-frame ss/frame-width ss/frame-height))))
+
+  (defun ss/apply-font-faces ()
+  	"Apply the original JetBrains-based face setup."
+  	(set-face-attribute
+  	 'default nil
+  	 :family ss/font-family :height ss/font-height :weight ss/font-weight)
+  	(set-face-attribute
+  	 'fixed-pitch nil
+  	 :family ss/font-family :weight ss/font-weight)
+  	(set-face-attribute
+  	 'fixed-pitch-serif nil
+  	 :family ss/font-family :weight ss/font-weight))
+
+  (defun ss/disable-menu-bar ()
+    "Disable the menu bar for the current frame/session."
+    (menu-bar-mode -1))
+
+  (add-hook 'after-make-frame-functions #'ss/apply-frame-size)
+
+  (when (display-graphic-p)
+  	(ss/apply-frame-size)
+  (ss/disable-menu-bar)
+  	(tool-bar-mode -1)
+  	(scroll-bar-mode -1)
+  	(tooltip-mode -1)
+  	(when (find-font (font-spec :name ss/font-family))
+  			(ss/apply-font-faces)))
+
+  (unless (display-graphic-p)
+    (add-hook 'emacs-startup-hook #'ss/disable-menu-bar))
+
+  (setq inhibit-startup-message t
+  			inhibit-startup-screen t
+  			ring-bell-function 'ignore)
+
+    (use-package modus-themes
+      :ensure nil
+      :no-require t
+      :config
+      (load-theme 'modus-vivendi t))
+
+  (line-number-mode 1)
+  (column-number-mode 1)
+  (show-paren-mode 1)
+
+  ;; Disable all fringe indicators
+  (setq-default indicate-empty-lines nil)
+  (setq-default indicate-buffer-boundaries nil)
+  (setq-default fringe-indicator-alist nil)
+
+#+end_src
+
+* Modeline
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+  (use-package time
+    :ensure nil
+    :config
+    ;; Enable 24-hour time display without load average.
+    (setq display-time-24hr-format t
+          display-time-day-and-date t
+          display-time-default-load-average nil)
+    (display-time-mode 1))
+
+  ;; Customize modeline appearance - white background with line only on top
+  (set-face-attribute 'mode-line nil
+                      :background "white"
+                      :foreground "black"
+                      :overline "gray50"
+                      :underline nil
+                      :box nil)
+
+  (set-face-attribute 'mode-line-inactive nil
+                      :background "gray95"
+                      :foreground "gray40"
+                      :overline "gray30"
+                      :underline nil
+                      :box nil)
+
+  ;; Customize the modeline format with padding and right-aligned time
+  (setq-default mode-line-format
+                (list
+                      ;; Left padding
+                      "  "
+                      "%e"
+                      mode-line-front-space
+                      mode-line-mule-info
+                      mode-line-client
+                      mode-line-modified
+                      mode-line-remote
+                      mode-line-frame-identification
+                      mode-line-buffer-identification
+                      "   "
+                      mode-line-position
+                      '(vc-mode vc-mode)
+                      "  "
+                      mode-line-modes
+                      ;; Right-align from here
+                      '(:eval (propertize " " 'display '((space :align-to (- right 22)))))
+                      mode-line-misc-info
+                      ;; Right padding
+                      "  "
+                      mode-line-end-spaces))
+
+#+end_src
+
+* Editing defaults
+
+This section covers global editing behavior and a few startup-time tuning
+choices.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+  (set-language-environment "UTF-8")
+  (set-default-coding-systems 'utf-8)
+  (prefer-coding-system 'utf-8)
+
+  (setq auto-save-default nil
+  			backup-inhibited t
+  			echo-keystrokes 0.1
+  			compilation-ask-about-save nil
+  			mouse-wheel-scroll-amount '(1 ((shift) . 1))
+  			mouse-wheel-progressive-speed nil
+  			mouse-wheel-follow-mouse t
+  			scroll-step 1
+  			scroll-conservatively 101
+  			enable-recursive-minibuffers t
+  			gc-cons-threshold (* 128 1024 1024)
+  			read-process-output-max (* 4 1024 1024)
+  			process-adaptive-read-buffering nil)
+
+  (fset 'yes-or-no-p 'y-or-n-p)
+  (global-auto-revert-mode 1)
+  (delete-selection-mode 1)
+
+  (setq-default indent-tabs-mode nil
+  							fill-column 80
+  							tab-width 2
+  							indicate-empty-lines t
+  							sentence-end-double-space nil)
+
+#+end_src
+
+* Dired
+
+On macOS, the system =ls= does not support GNU's =--dired= flag. Keeping
+Dired on its built-in path avoids noisy directory listing errors when opening
+folders from note helpers.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+  (use-package dired
+    :ensure nil
+    :custom
+    (dired-use-ls-dired nil))
+#+end_src
+
+* Minibuffer completion
+
+This keeps completion close to standard Emacs behaviour while improving the
+minibuffer prompts used throughout the notes workflow. Vertico provides the
+UI, Orderless handles flexible matching, and Marginalia adds lightweight
+annotations.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+  (use-package vertico
+    :ensure t
+    :pin melpa
+    :init
+    (vertico-mode 1))
+
+  (use-package orderless
+    :ensure t
+    :pin melpa
+    :custom
+    (completion-styles '(orderless basic))
+    (completion-category-defaults nil)
+    (completion-category-overrides '((file (styles basic partial-completion)))))
+
+  (use-package marginalia
+    :ensure t
+    :pin melpa
+    :after vertico
+    :init
+    (marginalia-mode 1))
+#+end_src
+
+* Notes workflow
+
+This keeps the note-taking system deliberately small. Daily notes stay as plain
+Org files in =~/org/daily/=, while longer-lived notes use Denote inside the
+same root directory and rely on links for relationships.
+
+** Org foundations
+
+The Org setup establishes the shared directories, ensures the PARA structure is
+present at startup, and provides a small helper for opening today's daily note
+with the standard section layout already in place. Agenda views stay focused on
+PARA notes, so project, area, and resource files can surface TODOs without
+pulling in daily or archived notes. A small directory helper keeps PARA
+subdirectories easy to create from the minibuffer before capturing into them.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+  (use-package org
+    :ensure nil
+    :functions (denote-keywords-prompt)
+    :defines (denote-directory denote-use-directory denote-use-keywords)
+    :preface
+    (defconst ss/org-directory (expand-file-name "~/org/")
+      "Root directory for Org files.")
+
+    (defconst ss/org-daily-directory (expand-file-name "daily/" ss/org-directory)
+      "Directory for plain daily Org notes.")
+
+    (defconst ss/org-projects-directory (expand-file-name "projects/" ss/org-directory)
+      "Directory for project notes.")
+
+    (defconst ss/org-areas-directory (expand-file-name "areas/" ss/org-directory)
+      "Directory for area notes.")
+
+    (defconst ss/org-people-directory (expand-file-name "areas/people/" ss/org-directory)
+      "Directory for people notes.")
+
+    (defconst ss/org-resources-directory (expand-file-name "resources/" ss/org-directory)
+      "Directory for resource notes.")
+
+    (defconst ss/org-archives-directory (expand-file-name "archives/" ss/org-directory)
+      "Directory for archived notes.")
+
+    (defconst ss/org-note-directories
+      (list ss/org-directory
+            ss/org-daily-directory
+            ss/org-projects-directory
+            ss/org-areas-directory
+            ss/org-people-directory
+            ss/org-resources-directory
+            ss/org-archives-directory)
+      "Directories that make up the note-taking workflow.")
+
+    (defconst ss/org-agenda-directories
+      (list ss/org-projects-directory
+            ss/org-areas-directory
+            ss/org-resources-directory)
+      "Directories whose Org files feed the agenda.")
+
+    (defconst ss/org-subdirectory-roots
+      `(("projects" . ,ss/org-projects-directory)
+        ("areas" . ,ss/org-areas-directory)
+        ("people" . ,ss/org-people-directory)
+        ("resources" . ,ss/org-resources-directory))
+      "PARA roots offered when creating note subdirectories.")
+
+    (defun ss/denote-capture-in-directory (directory &optional keywords &rest prompts)
+      "Start a Denote Org capture in DIRECTORY with KEYWORDS and PROMPTS.
+If PROMPTS is empty, rely on `denote-prompts'."
+      (let* ((prompt-for-keywords (memq :keywords prompts))
+             (denote-directory directory)
+             (denote-use-directory (unless (memq :subdirectory prompts) directory))
+             (denote-use-keywords
+              (if prompt-for-keywords
+                  (delete-dups (append keywords (denote-keywords-prompt)))
+                keywords)))
+        (if prompts
+            (denote-org-capture-with-prompts
+             (memq :title prompts)
+             nil
+             (memq :subdirectory prompts)
+             (memq :date prompts)
+             (memq :template prompts))
+          (denote-org-capture))))
+
+    (defun ss/note-subdirectory-candidates (root)
+      "Return existing subdirectories under ROOT as relative paths."
+      (sort
+       (delete-dups
+        (mapcar (lambda (path)
+                  (directory-file-name (file-relative-name path root)))
+                (seq-filter
+                 #'file-directory-p
+                 (directory-files-recursively root directory-files-no-dot-files-regexp t t))))
+       #'string<))
+
+    (defun ss/create-note-subdirectory ()
+      "Create a PARA subdirectory using minibuffer completion."
+      (interactive)
+      (let* ((root-name (completing-read
+                         "PARA root: "
+                         (mapcar #'car ss/org-subdirectory-roots)
+                         nil t))
+             (root (alist-get root-name ss/org-subdirectory-roots nil nil #'string=))
+             (completion-extra-properties '(:category file))
+             (subdirectory (completing-read
+                            (format "Subdirectory in %s: " root-name)
+                            (ss/note-subdirectory-candidates root)
+                            nil nil))
+             (target (expand-file-name subdirectory root))
+             (existing (file-directory-p target)))
+        (make-directory target t)
+        (message "%s note directory: %s"
+                 (if existing "Using existing" "Created")
+                 target)))
+
+    (defun ss/ensure-org-note-directories ()
+      "Create the Org directories used by the notes workflow."
+      (mapc (lambda (directory)
+              (make-directory directory t))
+            ss/org-note-directories))
+
+    (defun ss/ensure-org-agenda-loaded ()
+      "Load Org agenda support before using agenda-specific helpers.
+This ensures `org-agenda-file-regexp' and `org-agenda' are available."
+      (require 'org-agenda))
+
+    (defun ss/org-agenda-files ()
+      "Return the Org files that should be scanned by the agenda."
+      (ss/ensure-org-agenda-loaded)
+      (delete-dups
+       (apply #'append
+              (mapcar (lambda (directory)
+                        (if (file-directory-p directory)
+                            (directory-files-recursively directory org-agenda-file-regexp)
+                          nil))
+                      ss/org-agenda-directories))))
+
+    (defun ss/refresh-org-agenda-files ()
+      "Refresh `org-agenda-files' from the current PARA directories."
+      (setq org-agenda-files (ss/org-agenda-files)))
+
+    (defun ss/daily-note-path (&optional time)
+      "Return the file name for the daily note at TIME.
+If TIME is nil, use the current date."
+      (expand-file-name
+       (format-time-string "%Y-%m-%d.org" time)
+       ss/org-daily-directory))
+
+    (defun ss/daily-note-template (&optional time)
+      "Return the initial contents for the daily note at TIME."
+      (format "#+title: %s\n\n* Tasks\n\n* Meetings\n\n* Notes\n\n* Open loops\n"
+              (format-time-string "%Y-%m-%d" (or time (current-time)))))
+
+    (defun ss/ensure-daily-note (&optional time)
+      "Create the daily note for TIME when it does not exist.
+Return the path to the note."
+      (let* ((date (or time (current-time)))
+             (file (ss/daily-note-path date)))
+        (unless (file-exists-p file)
+          (make-directory (file-name-directory file) t)
+          (with-temp-file file
+            (insert (ss/daily-note-template date))))
+        file))
+
+    (defun ss/open-todays-note ()
+      "Open today's daily Org note."
+      (interactive)
+      (find-file (ss/ensure-daily-note)))
+
+    (defun ss/open-agenda ()
+      "Refresh agenda files and invoke `org-agenda'."
+      (interactive)
+      (ss/ensure-org-agenda-loaded)
+      (ss/refresh-org-agenda-files)
+      (call-interactively #'org-agenda))
+    :bind (("C-c a" . ss/open-agenda)
+           ("C-c c" . org-capture)
+           ("C-c n m" . ss/create-note-subdirectory)
+           ("C-c n d" . ss/open-todays-note))
+    :config
+    (setq org-directory ss/org-directory
+        org-hide-emphasis-markers t)
+    (add-hook 'org-mode-hook
+              (lambda ()
+                (setq-local org-hide-emphasis-markers t)
+                (font-lock-flush)
+                (font-lock-ensure)))
+    (ss/refresh-org-agenda-files)
+    (add-hook 'org-capture-after-finalize-hook #'ss/refresh-org-agenda-files)
+    (ss/ensure-org-note-directories))
+#+end_src
+
+** Capture entry points
+
+Daily capture goes to today's plain Org file. Denote capture uses Denote's own
+Org integration so note identity, metadata, and directories stay under Denote's
+control rather than custom code. The convenience templates set a few durable
+defaults and prompt for subdirectory placement within the relevant PARA root.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+  (use-package org-capture
+    :ensure nil
+    :after (org denote)
+    :config
+    (setq org-capture-templates
+          `(("d" "Daily")
+            ("dt" "Task" entry
+             (file+headline ,#'ss/ensure-daily-note "Tasks")
+             "* TODO %?")
+            ("dn" "Note" entry
+             (file+headline ,#'ss/ensure-daily-note "Notes")
+             "* %?")
+            ("dm" "Meeting" entry
+             (file+headline ,#'ss/ensure-daily-note "Meetings")
+             "* %<%H:%M> %?")
+            ("n" "Denote")
+            ("nn" "Generic" plain
+             (file denote-last-path)
+             (function
+              (lambda ()
+                (denote-org-capture-with-prompts :title :keywords :subdirectory)))
+             :no-save t
+             :immediate-finish nil
+             :kill-buffer t
+             :jump-to-captured t)
+            ("np" "Project" plain
+             (file denote-last-path)
+             (function
+              (lambda ()
+                (ss/denote-capture-in-directory
+                 ss/org-projects-directory '("project") :title :keywords :subdirectory)))
+             :no-save t
+             :immediate-finish nil
+             :kill-buffer t
+             :jump-to-captured t)
+            ("na" "Area" plain
+             (file denote-last-path)
+             (function
+              (lambda ()
+                (ss/denote-capture-in-directory
+                 ss/org-areas-directory '("area") :title :keywords :subdirectory)))
+             :no-save t
+             :immediate-finish nil
+             :kill-buffer t
+             :jump-to-captured t)
+            ("nP" "Person" plain
+             (file denote-last-path)
+             (function
+              (lambda ()
+                (ss/denote-capture-in-directory
+                 ss/org-people-directory '("person") :title :keywords :subdirectory)))
+             :no-save t
+             :immediate-finish nil
+             :kill-buffer t
+             :jump-to-captured t)
+            ("nr" "Resource" plain
+             (file denote-last-path)
+             (function
+              (lambda ()
+                (ss/denote-capture-in-directory
+                 ss/org-resources-directory '("resource") :title :keywords :subdirectory)))
+             :no-save t
+             :immediate-finish nil
+             :kill-buffer t
+             :jump-to-captured t)
+            ("nm" "Meeting" plain
+             (file denote-last-path)
+             (function
+              (lambda ()
+                (ss/denote-capture-in-directory
+                 ss/org-directory '("meeting") :title :keywords :subdirectory)))
+             :no-save t
+             :immediate-finish nil
+             :kill-buffer t
+             :jump-to-captured t))))
+#+end_src
+
+** Denote
+
+Denote manages the durable notes. The folder layout reflects lifecycle, while
+Denote handles naming, metadata, linking, and retrieval.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+  (use-package denote
+    :ensure t
+    :after org
+    :bind (("C-c n n" . denote-open-or-create)
+           ("C-c n l" . denote-link))
+    :config
+    (setq denote-directory ss/org-directory
+          denote-known-keywords '("area" "project" "person" "meeting" "1on1" "resource" "decision")
+          denote-prompts '(title keywords)
+          denote-org-capture-specifiers "%?")
+    (denote-rename-buffer-mode 1))
+#+end_src
+
+* Gptel workflow
+
+This keeps LLM chat available as a small workflow tool inside Emacs. GitHub
+Copilot authentication is handled on demand by gptel, so there is no token
+plumbing in this file.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+  (use-package gptel
+    :ensure t
+  	:init
+    (setq gptel-default-mode 'org-mode
+  	  gptel-model 'gpt-4o
+  	  gptel-backend (gptel-make-gh-copilot "Copilot"))
+    :bind (("C-c n g" . gptel)
+  	   ("C-c n s" . gptel-send)
+  	   ("C-c n r" . gptel-rewrite)
+  	   ("C-c n a" . gptel-add)))
+#+end_src
+
+* Generated file footers
+
+The closing blocks just finish the generated startup files cleanly.
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp
+
+(when (file-exists-p custom-file)
+	(load custom-file nil 'nomessage))
+
+;;; init.el ends here
+#+end_src
+
+#+begin_src emacs-lisp :tangle early-init.el
+
+;;; early-init.el ends here
+#+end_src