Focus Mode

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

Activation

When user says /focus :

Store the focus goal in ~/.config/clawdbot-focus/current.json

Acknowledge: "🎯 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 — 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:

📋 Parked tangents:
• Research that API library (from 20min ago)
• Check Discord notification settings

Tone Modes

User can set tone with /focus tone :

• 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:

🎯 Focus session complete!

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

Nice work staying focused! 🏆

Integration Notes

• Works alongside other skills — 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