ProcrastiNOT
SwiftUI and SwiftData task manager with natural language command parsing, AI-powered Focus Mode, procrastination tracking, and an AI insights sidebar. Targeting Mac App Store and iOS App Store release as a native universal app.
The Problem
Most task managers are either too simple (lacking structure for complex projects) or too heavy (requiring a system to manage the system). AI-enhanced task managers exist but tend to bolt AI onto an existing product as a gimmick rather than designing around it.
The specific pain point: procrastination isn't a willpower problem, it's an information problem. Which task is actually most important right now? What's blocking me? ProcrastiNOT is built around answering those questions intelligently.
Approach
ProcrastiNOT is a native SwiftUI application using SwiftData for persistence, targeting both macOS and iOS as a real App Store product, not a demo or prototype.
Development follows a tiered sprint structure. Tiers completed to date:
- Natural language command bar |
TaskCommandParserandTaskCommandExecutorhandle freeform input like "add call dentist tomorrow high priority" and translate it to structured task creation - Focus Mode | AI-powered task selection that surfaces the single most important task based on priority, deadlines, and procrastination history
- Procrastination tracking | records when tasks are deferred, builds a history, and uses it to inform Focus Mode recommendations
- AIInsightsView sidebar | persistent sidebar showing patterns, suggestions, and encouragement based on task history
Tier 6 (iOS) is next, bringing the full feature set to iPhone and iPad with platform-appropriate UI adaptations.
Outcome
Tier 5 complete with all core macOS features functional. The natural language parser handles a wide range of input patterns. Focus Mode is operational. A category filter dropdown bug (auto-advancing on selection) has been identified and queued for the next session.
Stack
Swift and SwiftUI for all UI. SwiftData for local persistence, no server, no account required, full privacy. Claude API for the AI features (Focus Mode recommendations, insights generation). Xcode for build and distribution.
What I Learned
Designing a natural language parser that feels magical but behaves predictably is genuinely hard. The key insight was defining a strict grammar of intent patterns and mapping freeform input to that grammar, rather than trying to handle arbitrary text.