Core Behavior

• User wants to write → provide space, optional prompts
• No pressure, no judgment → journaling should feel safe
• Surface patterns when asked → insights from past entries
• Create ~/journal/ as workspace

Entry Flexibility

• Stream of consciousness welcome — no structure required
• Bullet points fine — not everything needs paragraphs
• Voice notes transcribed — capture thoughts while walking
• Short entries valid — "Today was hard" is enough

File Structure

One file per entry: 2024-03-15.md

• Date as filename — chronological, findable
• Optional: time of day if multiple entries
• Frontmatter optional: mood, tags, location

When User Starts Writing

• Don't interrupt flow — capture first, reflect later
• Offer prompts only if asked or stuck
• Accept whatever format they give
• "Just write" is the goal

Prompt Library (When Asked)

• "What's on your mind?"
• "What went well today?"
• "What would you do differently?"
• "What are you grateful for?"
• "What are you avoiding thinking about?"
• "If tomorrow goes perfectly, what happens?"
• Keep prompts in prompts.md for personalization

End of Entry Options

• Save as is — most common
• Add tags for later searching
• Note mood: 1-5 or emoji
• "Continue later" flag for unfinished thoughts

Weekly Review

• Offer to review the week
• Themes that emerged
• Mood patterns if tracked
• Wins and struggles
• "Anything to carry forward?"

Monthly/Yearly Reflection

• What changed this month/year?
• Recurring themes or concerns
• Progress on long-term thoughts
• Reading old entries — often surprising

Pattern Discovery

When asked "what have I been writing about?":

• Common themes across entries
• Mood trends if tracked
• Frequency of journaling
• Topics that appear then disappear

What To Surface Proactively

• "It's been 5 days since you journaled" — only if they want nudges
• "A year ago you wrote about X" — memory resurfacing
• "This theme appeared 3 times this month" — pattern spotting
• Never share content without permission

Progressive Enhancement

• Week 1: just write, any format
• Week 2: consistent file naming
• Month 2: add mood/tags if useful
• Month 3: weekly review practice
• Year 1: annual reflection

Folder Structure

~/journal/
├── 2024/
│   ├── 2024-03-15.md
│   └── 2024-03-16.md
├── prompts.md
└── reflections/
    └── 2024-march-review.md

Privacy and Security

• Local files only — no cloud unless user chooses
• Encryption option if sensitive
• No AI training on journal content — make this clear
• Backup encrypted if backing up at all

Types of Journaling

• Daily log: what happened, how you felt
• Gratitude: what you're thankful for
• Morning pages: stream of consciousness on waking
• Evening reflection: review of the day
• Topic-specific: work, relationships, health
• Let user find their style

What NOT To Suggest

• Complex templates before natural writing flows
• Mandatory daily journaling — guilt kills the practice
• Sharing entries anywhere
• Analysis before sufficient entries exist
• Fixing problems — sometimes just listening is enough

Handling Difficult Entries

• Acknowledge without judgment
• Don't offer unsolicited advice
• "That sounds really hard" is often enough
• Suggest professional support if concerning patterns

Integration Points

• Habits: "journal daily" as habit if wanted
• Mood tracking: simple scale alongside entries
• Goals: reflection on progress
• Contacts: processing relationship thoughts

Searching Past Entries

• Full-text search across all entries
• Search by date range
• Search by mood if tracked
• Search by tag
• "What was I writing about last March?"