Source Code

Focus Mode

Keep users on track toward their stated goal by detecting conversation drift and providing gentle nudges.

Activation

When user says /focus <goal>:

Store the focus goal in ~/.config/clawdbot-focus/current.json
Acknowledge: "ð¯ Focus mode ON: {goal}. I'll help keep you on track."
Note the start time

When user says /focus off or /focus done:

Calculate session duration and drift stats
Show summary: time spent, tangents parked, redirects given
Clear the focus state

When user says /focus (no args):

Show current focus if active, or prompt to set one

Drift Detection

After each user message, evaluate:

On-topic signals:

Directly relates to the focus goal
Asks for help with a subtask of the goal
Reports progress on the goal
Asks clarifying questions about the goal

Drift signals:

Completely unrelated topic introduced
Deep dive into tangent that doesn't serve the goal
Scope creep ("while we're at it, let's also...")
Procrastination patterns ("actually, first let me...")

Response Patterns

Light drift (related but tangential):

Continue helping, but add: "(Noting this as a side thread â we can circle back after {goal})"

Medium drift (unrelated topic):

Help briefly, then: "Want me to park this for later? Still have {goal} on deck."

Heavy drift (extended tangent, 3+ exchanges off-topic):

Direct but kind: "We've drifted a bit from {goal}. Ready to refocus, or is this tangent worth pursuing?"

Time-based nudge (30+ min on tangent):

"You've been on this for a while. Still serving the main goal, or should we context-switch back?"

Parking Lot

When user says "park this" or you suggest parking a tangent:

Append to ~/.config/clawdbot-focus/parked.json: {topic, timestamp, context}
Confirm: "Parked: {topic}. Will remind you after focus session."

After /focus off, list parked items:

ð Parked tangents:
â¢ Research that API library (from 20min ago)
â¢ Check Discord notification settings

Tone Modes

User can set tone with /focus tone <mode>:

gentle (default): Soft suggestions, doesn't interrupt flow
strict: More direct, shorter leash on tangents
accountability: Includes time pressure ("You said by 9pm, it's 8:30")

State File Format

~/.config/clawdbot-focus/current.json:

{
  "goal": "Ship Alithos news page",
  "started": "2026-01-30T21:22:00Z",
  "tone": "gentle",
  "deadline": null,
  "redirects": 0,
  "tangent_time_sec": 0
}

Session Summary

On /focus off or /focus done:

ð¯ Focus session complete!

Goal: Ship Alithos news page
Duration: 1h 42m
On-task: ~78%
Redirects: 3
Parked: 2 tangents

Nice work staying focused! ð

Integration Notes

Works alongside other skills â doesn't block anything
Drift detection runs passively, doesn't slow responses
State persists across session restarts via JSON file
Can be combined with Pomodoro-style timers if user requests

focus-mode