Energy-Adaptive Notes for Different Minds

Nami App

In Progress

A notes app that adapts to your cognitive capacity in real-time. Instead of forcing users to adapt to the app, the interface changes based on a simple 1-5 energy scale.

Interactive Demo: Try The Experience

Energy-Adaptive Interface

Select your current energy level to see how the interface adapts:

Current: Organized Mode

Interface Complexity: 3/5

Simple capture input with auto-save
Recent notes visible for context
Three-bucket organization system

Live Three-Bucket Demo

Brain Dump

0
Raw thoughts, no organization required

Working On

0
Active projects and current focus

Reference

0
Information to keep for later

Note-Taking Flow Animation

Think

Capture

Organize

3-second rule: From thought to saved note in under 3 seconds

The Productivity App Cycle

📱

Monday

High energy, sets up complex organization system

😰

Tuesday

Medium energy, system feels overwhelming

🤯

Wednesday

Low energy, can't figure out where to put notes

😔

Thursday

Guilt about "failing" the system again

🔄

Friday

Abandons app, looks for new solution

This cycle is especially brutal for neurodivergent developers who experience dramatic fluctuations in executive function.

Energy-Adaptive Interface

1

Minimal Mode

Just capture thoughts quickly when executive function is compromised

Available Features:

  • Simple capture input
  • Auto-save every 2 seconds
  • No decisions required
2

Basic Mode

Capture plus recent notes for context without overwhelming options

Available Features:

  • Capture input
  • Last 5 notes visible
  • Simple organization
3

Organized Mode

Full three-bucket system with search and basic organization tools

Available Features:

  • Three-bucket sorting
  • Basic search
  • Recent notes
  • Simple tagging
4

Enhanced Mode

Additional features like voice input and advanced organization

Available Features:

  • Voice input
  • Advanced search
  • Bucket management
  • Export options
5

Full Mode

All features including bulk operations and advanced customization

Available Features:

  • Bulk operations
  • Custom workflows
  • Advanced filters
  • Full customization

The 3-Bucket Philosophy

Brain Dump

Raw thoughts, no organization required

Capture everything without pressure to categorize or perfect. The cognitive equivalent of a junk drawer - essential and valid.

Examples:

Random ideasMeeting notesThings to rememberStream of consciousness

Working On

Active projects and current focus

Things you're actively thinking about or need to act on soon. The 'hot' items that deserve attention.

Examples:

Current project notesActive tasksImmediate prioritiesWork in progress

Reference

Information to keep for later

Useful information that doesn't need immediate action but might be valuable later. Your personal knowledge base.

Examples:

Code snippetsLearning resourcesReference materialsArchived insights

Design Principles

Forgiveness Over Perfection

3-Second Rule: Capture any thought within 3 seconds of opening. No guilt about messy notes or imperfect organization.

Implementation: Auto-save, no required fields, accept any input format

Bad Day Test

App works perfectly when you have minimal cognitive capacity. Your worst executive function day is the design target.

Implementation: Energy level 1-2 modes still fully functional

Multiple Approaches

Linear, spatial, and network thinking all supported. Different minds organize information differently.

Implementation: Flexible organization, visual arrangements, tag networks

Zero Guilt Design

No streaks, achievements, or shame-inducing features. Your notes don't judge your productivity.

Implementation: No metrics, no progress bars, no comparisons

Current Implementation Status

Energy Selector System

Shipped

1-5 scale that controls interface complexity in real-time

React state management with progressive disclosure patterns

Three-Bucket Organization

Shipped

Brain Dump, Working On, Reference - simple mental model that reduces decision fatigue

Drag-and-drop organization with smart defaults

Auto-Save Capture

Shipped

2-second intervals with optimistic updates, never lose a thought

IndexedDB storage with conflict resolution

Local Storage with IndexedDB

Shipped

All data stays local unless explicitly shared, sub-100ms response times

Dexie.js wrapper with structured query support

Basic Search with Fuzzy Matching

Shipped

Find notes even with typos or partial matches

Fuse.js integration with custom scoring weights

Complete Keyboard Navigation

Shipped

Full app usable without mouse for accessibility and efficiency

Focus management with logical tab order

AI Suggestion System

In Progress

Local processing for privacy-first smart suggestions

Client-side ML models with optional cloud enhancement

Voice Input for High-Energy Periods

In Progress

Speech-to-text when you're in flow state and don't want to type

Web Speech API with fallback to cloud services

Visual Memory Aids

In Progress

Colors, spatial arrangement, and visual cues for different thinking styles

Canvas-based spatial layouts with persistence

Accessibility by Design

WCAG 2.1 AA compliance as baseline

Screen reader support throughout

High contrast themes without losing visual appeal

Respects reduced-motion preferences

Cognitive accessibility patterns for executive function support

Customizable font sizes and spacing

Color-blind friendly palette

Focus indicators and keyboard navigation

Real Usage Patterns

User Profile

Developer with ADHD

Workflow

Uses Energy 1-2 during afternoon crashes, Energy 4-5 during hyperfocus. Brain Dump for random ideas, Working On for current bugs.

Outcome

Finally has notes that work with brain patterns instead of against them

User Profile

Writer with Executive Function Issues

Workflow

Voice input during high energy, simple capture during low energy. Reference bucket for research, Working On for current projects.

Outcome

Stopped abandoning note-taking apps after a few days

User Profile

Student with Autism

Workflow

Consistent Energy 3 mode, heavy use of visual memory aids and spatial arrangement. Structured approach to three buckets.

Outcome

First note app that doesn't feel overwhelming or judgmental

Built for Different Kinds of Minds

Nami App exists because thinking isn't linear, and your tools shouldn't assume it is. Whether you're neurodivergent or neurotypical, your notes should work the way your mind works.