greek statue on emacs

For nearly a year now, I’ve had a side project in mind: creating a minimal version of Emacs with org-mode. This idea stemmed from my experience with Spacemacs, which, while intuitive, was plagued by sluggish performance. Finally, thanks to the assistance of ChatGPT, I was able to iterate and complete approximately 150 lines of Emacs configuration code, resulting in a lean and user-friendly org-mode client that suits my needs.

It had to include:

  • Some Spacemacs shorcuts (for buffer/window navigation).
  • Simpler Orgmode shorcuts using CTRL+O as base.
  • CTRL+TAB for toggling between last tab and current.
  • Full restore if emacs exits.
  • My custom CTRL+SHIFT+UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT Orgmode headers navigation.
  • Dark theme, with a similar Orgmode look like Spacemacs dark theme has.
  • Lean. It has to be extremely lean.

tl;dr here’s the source code:

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(require 'package)

(setq package-archives '(("melpa" . "https://melpa.org/packages/")
                         ("org" . "https://orgmode.org/elpa/")
                         ("elpa" . "https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/")))

(package-initialize)
(unless package-archive-contents
  (package-refresh-contents))

;; Install use-package if it's not already installed
(unless (package-installed-p 'use-package)
  (package-install 'use-package))

(require 'use-package)

;; Install and configure evil mode
(use-package evil
  :ensure nil
  :init
  (setq evil-want-integration t)
  (setq evil-want-keybinding nil)
  :config
  (evil-mode 1)
  (evil-define-key 'normal org-mode-map (kbd "TAB") 'org-cycle))  ; Set the TAB key to open/close org-mode subheaders in org-mode

;; Prevent start-up screen
(setq inhibit-startup-screen t)

;; Install and configure general.el
(use-package general
  :ensure nil
  :config
  (general-create-definer my-leader-def
    :prefix "SPC"))

;; Org mode configuration
(use-package org
  :ensure nil
  :config
  ;; Enable Org mode related features
  (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-auto-fill)
  (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'org-indent-mode)  ; Enable org-indent-mode
  (setq org-log-done t)
  (setq org-agenda-files '("~/emacs"))
  (setq org-hide-emphasis-markers t)
  (setq org-hide-leading-stars t)
  (setq org-priority-default 67)
  (setq org-priority-lowest 69)
  )  ; Hide leading stars

;; General keybindings
(my-leader-def
  :states '(normal visual emacs)
  :keymaps 'override
  "b d" 'kill-buffer       ; Kill a buffer
  "w d" 'delete-window     ; Kill a window
  "f f" 'find-file)  ; Open a file

; Buffer cycling keybindings
(global-set-key (kbd "<C-tab>") 'mode-line-other-buffer) ; Switch to last buffer

;; Toggle window switch with ALT+1
(global-set-key (kbd "M-1") 'other-window) ; Switch to last window

;; Set CTRL+UP and CTRL+DOWN for scrolling
(general-define-key
 :states '(normal visual insert emacs)
 :keymaps 'override
 "C-<up>" 'evil-scroll-line-up
 "C-<down>" 'evil-scroll-line-down)

;; Additional keybindings for org-mode
(general-define-key
 :states '(normal visual insert emacs)
 :keymaps 'org-mode-map
 "C-S-<up>" 'org-backward-heading-same-level
 "C-S-<down>" 'org-forward-heading-same-level
 "C-S-<left>" 'outline-up-heading
 "C-S-<right>" 'outline-next-visible-heading
 "C-o t" 'org-agenda-todo
 "C-o '" 'org-edit-special
 "C-o a" 'org-agenda
 "C-o c" 'org-capture)

;; Configure desktop mode to save and restore open files
(setq desktop-path '("~/.emacs.d/"))
(setq desktop-dirname "~/.emacs.d/")
(setq desktop-base-file-name "emacs-desktop")
(setq desktop-load-locked-desktop t)

(desktop-save-mode 1)
(add-hook 'emacs-startup-hook
          (lambda ()
            (if (file-exists-p (concat desktop-dirname "/" desktop-base-file-name))
                (desktop-read)
              (desktop-create-buffer))))

;; Theme

(defun set-lean-dark-theme ()
  "Set a lean dark theme for Emacs, including Org mode colors, font sizes, and bullets."
  (interactive)
  (setq foreground-color "#f8f8f2") ; Light gray
  (setq background-color "#282a36") ; Dark gray
  (setq comment-color "#6272a4")    ; Comment color
  (setq string-color "#50fa7b")      ; String color
  (setq keyword-color "#8be9fd")     ; Keyword color
  (setq function-color "#ffb86c")    ; Function color
  (setq org-level-1-color "#4f97d7")  ; Org mode level 1 heading color
  (setq org-level-2-color "#2d9574")  ; Org mode level 2 heading color
  (setq org-level-3-color "#67b11d")
  (setq org-level-4-color "#b1951d")
  (setq org-level-5-color "#4f97d7")
  (setq timestamp-link-color "#7590db") ; Timestamp and link color
  (setq todo-color "#ff4500")           ; TODO color (orange)
  (setq done-color "#50fa7b")           ; DONE color (green)

  ;; Set the theme colors
  (custom-set-faces
   `(default ((t (:foreground ,foreground-color :background ,background-color))))
   `(font-lock-comment-face ((t (:foreground ,comment-color))))
   `(font-lock-string-face ((t (:foreground ,string-color))))
   `(font-lock-keyword-face ((t (:foreground ,keyword-color))))
   `(font-lock-function-name-face ((t (:foreground ,function-color))))
   `(org-level-1 ((t (:foreground ,org-level-1-color :weight bold :height 1.2))))
   `(org-level-2 ((t (:foreground ,org-level-2-color :weight bold :height 1.1))))
   `(org-level-3 ((t (:foreground ,org-level-3-color :weight bold :height 1.1))))
   `(org-level-4 ((t (:foreground ,org-level-4-color :weight bold :height 1.1))))
   `(org-level-5 ((t (:foreground ,org-level-5-color :weight bold :height 1.1))))
   `(org-link ((t (:foreground ,timestamp-link-color :underline t))))
   `(org-todo ((t (:foreground ,todo-color :weight bold))))
   `(org-done ((t (:foreground ,done-color :weight bold))))
   `(org-date ((t (:foreground ,timestamp-link-color))))
   `(org-verbatim ((t (:foreground ,timestamp-link-color))))
   `(org-property-value ((t (:foreground ,timestamp-link-color))))
   `(org-special-keyword ((t (:foreground ,timestamp-link-color)))))

  ;; Customize Org bullets
  (use-package org-bullets
    :ensure nil
    :config
    (setq org-bullets-bullet-list '("◉" "○" "✸" "✿" "✜" "►" "◆"))
    (add-hook 'org-mode-hook (lambda () (org-bullets-mode 1))))

  ;; Disable the fringe
  (fringe-mode 0))

;; Call the function to set the lean dark theme
(set-lean-dark-theme)
(custom-set-variables
 ;; custom-set-variables was added by Custom.
 '(package-selected-packages '(org-bullets general evil use-package))
 '(tool-bar-mode nil))
(custom-set-faces
 ;; custom-set-faces was added by Custom.
 '(default ((t (:foreground "#f8f8f2" :background "#282a36"))))
 '(font-lock-comment-face ((t (:foreground "#6272a4"))))
 '(font-lock-function-name-face ((t (:foreground "#ffb86c"))))
 '(font-lock-keyword-face ((t (:foreground "#8be9fd"))))
 '(font-lock-string-face ((t (:foreground "#50fa7b"))))
 '(org-date ((t (:foreground "#7590db"))))
 '(org-done ((t (:foreground "#50fa7b" :weight bold))))
 '(org-level-1 ((t (:foreground "#4f97d7" :weight bold :height 1.2))))
 '(org-level-2 ((t (:foreground "#2d9574" :weight bold :height 1.1))))
 '(org-level-3 ((t (:foreground "#67b11d" :weight bold :height 1.1))))
 '(org-level-4 ((t (:foreground "#b1951d" :weight bold :height 1.1))))
 '(org-level-5 ((t (:foreground "#4f97d7" :weight bold :height 1.1))))
 '(org-link ((t (:foreground "#7590db" :underline t))))
 '(org-property-value ((t (:foreground "#7590db"))) t)
 '(org-special-keyword ((t (:foreground "#7590db"))))
 '(org-todo ((t (:foreground "#ff4500" :weight bold))))
 '(org-verbatim ((t (:foreground "#7590db")))))

To kickstart the development of my lean org-mode client, I began by leveraging the power of Emacs and its extensive customization capabilities. With the help of ChatGPT, I was able to refine my approach and optimize the configuration code to achieve a faster and more streamlined experience. By carefully selecting essential packages and fine-tuning keybindings, I ensured that the client remained lightweight while retaining crucial functionality.

One of the core focuses of my work was improving the performance and responsiveness of the org-mode client. With ChatGPT’s guidance, I implemented techniques to reduce startup times, minimize unnecessary overhead, and enhance buffer management. These optimizations resulted in a significant boost in overall speed, allowing for smooth navigation, editing, and organization of org files.

In addition to performance enhancements, ChatGPT helped me tailor the visual appearance of the org-mode client to enhance readability and aesthetics. By selecting a dark theme and carefully configuring font sizes and colors, I created a visually appealing environment that reduces eye strain and promotes focus during long coding sessions. Furthermore, I incorporated custom bullet styles for org headers, inspired by Spacemacs, to maintain a consistent and visually pleasing structure within org files.

ChatGPT played a pivotal role in troubleshooting and refining the org-mode client. By providing insights and suggestions, it helped me overcome challenges, such as resolving conflicts between keybindings and fine-tuning org-mode configurations. With each iteration, the client became more polished and aligned with my personal workflow, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable org-mode experience.

By combining my expertise with Emacs, the power of ChatGPT, and a relentless pursuit of efficiency, I successfully built a lean org-mode client tailored to my needs. The journey of creating this customized Emacs configuration not only honed my programming skills but also exemplified the collaborative potential of human-AI partnerships in software development.

As an added note, I have even taken the liberty to comment out lines 3 to 13, Thereby disabling auto-update. Emacs has caused me many woes in the past due to package upgrades, so I have decided to ensure it doesn’t happen again.