🚀 Smart Task Tracker (STT)
Single-Topic-Taskpage System for Focused Work
🤖 AI-Friendly System Overview
Architecture: Distributed single-task system with
one STT instance per Chrome Tab Group
Data Flow: Cross-tab communication via localStorage
event bus with URL parameter synchronization
Key Innovation: Keystroke-aware updates with
aggregated task view across all open tabs
🎯 Recent Architecture Updates:
- WinID Normalization: Prevents duplicate entries via getSafeWinID() system
- URL-First Trust: URL parameters trusted over localStorage for winID generation
- Empty Task Visibility: All tasks displayed, including empty ones for cleanup
- Storage Monitoring: 85% threshold alerts with 1-hour cooldown
Core Architecture: One STT Per Tab Group
STT follows a simple but powerful organizational principle:
-
Each Chrome Tab Group represents
one topic to work on
-
Each Tab Group contains exactly
one STT to manage all related
thoughts and tasks
-
You typically have
20-30 Tab Groups open
simultaneously, each with its own dedicated STT
How It Works
🌐 Chrome Tab Group = One Topic
Each tab group represents a single topic or project, with
typically 20-30 groups open simultaneously.
📋 One STT Per Group
Every tab group contains exactly one STT interface to manage all
tasks and thoughts for that specific topic.
🔄 Real-Time Sync
Keystroke-aware updates with URL parameter sharing for instant
synchronization across all open STTs.
💾 LocalStorage Communication
Shared communication bus between all open windows/tabs enables
cross-window task awareness.
💾 LocalStorage Communication
Shared communication bus between all open windows/tabs enables
cross-window task awareness.
Key Features
-
One Task Per Tab: Each STT manages exactly one
primary task for its tab group
-
Cross-Window Awareness: All STTs see each other's
tasks in real-time
-
URL Parameter Sync: Task data is shared via URL
parameters for easy sharing
-
Due Date Tracking: Visual indicators for past
due/upcoming tasks
-
Keystroke-Aware Updates: Real-time sync triggered
by typing activity
-
Chrome Sync Compatible: Tab groups sync across
devices via Chrome's built-in synchronization
-
Backup System: Import/export functionality for all
your tasks
-
URL-First Architecture: Tasks are synchronized via URL parameters for reliable cross-device
compatibility
-
Event Delegation: All task actions use efficient event delegation for dynamic content
-
LocalStorage as Cache: Browser storage acts as performance cache while URLs maintain data
integrity
-
Cross-Device Sync: Share task URLs across devices via browser tab syncing
Workflow & Navigation
-
Use Alt +
Tab on Windows to quickly switch
between task windows
-
Use Ctrl +
Shift +
A in Chrome to jump between windows
quickly
-
Keep the STT tab active in each Chrome window for instant overview
when switching
- Prefix task titles with group numbers for easy identification
-
Use due dates to track time-sensitive tasks waiting for feedback
Pro Tip: Manually number your Chrome Tab Groups and
use the same number as the first characters in your task title for
visual organization across all your STTs.
Technical Implementation
-
Each STT gets a unique ID (win_xxxxxxxxx)
-
Data is stored with key prefixes:
pageTitle_win_xxx,
details_win_xxx
-
The "Task List" shows
all active tasks including the current tab
-
Keystroke-aware refresh keeps everything in sync (not just periodic
updates)
- Tasks are categorized into: Past Due / Undated / Upcoming
-
URL parameters store task data:
?win=id&title=text&details=text&dueDate=YYYY-MM-DD
-
Priority System: URL parameters take precedence over local storage,
enabling sharing across devices via synced Grouped Tabs in Chrome.
Keyboard Shortcuts
-
Ctrl +
S: Save backup
-
Ctrl +
R: Refresh task list
-
Esc: Clear focus from current field
Mobile Synchronization
Your Chrome tab groups (and thus your STT pages) will automatically
sync with your mobile device through Chrome's built-in synchronization
features, maintaining your multi-window workspace across devices.
Sharing Tasks
Since task data is encoded in URL parameters, you can share individual
tasks simply by copying the URL. When opened, the recipient will see
the exact task content you've created.