# Tab Intention Skills

> Tab Intention Capture

- Skill: `mcltyl/tab-intention-skills` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add mcltyl/tab-intention-skills`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/mcltyl/tab-intention-skills/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: mcltyl (https://skillmd.com/u/mcltyl)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/mcltyl/tab-intention-skills

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# Tab Intention Capture

> You opened Chrome to check one thing. 20 minutes later you're on Twitter. Capture your intent BEFORE you switch.

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## When to Use

- Before opening browser/app with a purpose
- When you catch yourself mid-drift ("wait, why did I open this?")
- At the start of a work block to set intention
- When you want to stop "productive procrastination"

**Trigger:** About to switch contexts, or "what was I doing?"

---

## The Problem

Context switching is a trap:
1. You open Chrome to "check one thing"
2. You see a notification
3. You click it
4. 20 minutes later: "What was I supposed to be doing?"

The intention gets lost at step 1. By step 2, you've already forgotten.

---

## The Protocol

### Before the Switch: State Your Intention (5 seconds)

**Before** you open the app/tab, say or write:

> "I'm opening [app] to [specific task]. When done, I will [next action]."

**Examples:**
- "I'm opening Slack to reply to Sarah's question. When done, I'll close Slack and return to the doc."
- "I'm opening Twitter to post the update. When done, I'll close the tab."
- "I'm opening email to find the attachment from Mike. When done, I'll download it and close email."

**Key elements:**
1. **What app** (be specific)
2. **What task** (one thing, not "check")
3. **Exit condition** (what signals you're done)

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### During: The Drift Check (when triggered)

If you've been in an app for >5-10 minutes without completing the task:

> "What was your original intention? Are you still doing that?"

**If yes:** Continue.
**If no:** 
> "You've drifted. Original task: [X]. Do you want to return to it, or consciously choose to continue what you're doing now?"

No judgment. Just awareness.

---

### Catch Yourself: The "Why Did I Open This?" Moment

If you find yourself staring at an app with no idea why:

> "You opened this for a reason, but you've forgotten. Options:
> 1. Close it and return to what you were doing
> 2. Take 10 seconds to remember
> 3. If you can't remember, it probably wasn't important"

**The rule:** If you can't remember within 10 seconds, close the tab.

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## Intention Anchors

Set these at the start of a work block:

> "For the next [time], I'm focused on [ONE thing]. If I feel the urge to switch, I'll note the impulse and return."

**Example:**
> "For the next 45 minutes, I'm focused on writing the proposal. If I feel the urge to check Slack, I'll note 'wanted to check Slack' and return to writing."

The noting is important. It acknowledges the urge without acting on it.

---

## Common Drift Patterns

### The "quick check" spiral
> "I'll just quickly check..." is never quick. If it's truly quick (<1 min), do it. If not, schedule it.

### The notification hijack
> One notification leads to the app, which leads to another notification, which leads to... **Turn off notifications** during focus time.

### The tab accumulation
> "I'll open this tab to read later" = 47 tabs, none read. Either read it now or bookmark it deliberately.

### The research rabbit hole
> Started researching one thing, ended up learning about something tangentially related. Useful sometimes, but ask: "Is this what I sat down to do?"

---

## Prevention Setup

### Option 1: Friction
- Close all tabs before starting focused work
- Use separate browser profiles (work vs. browsing)
- Log out of distracting sites

### Option 2: Intention logging
Keep a simple log:
```
10:15 - Opening email to find Mike's attachment
10:17 - Done, closing
10:45 - Opening Slack to reply to Sarah
10:52 - Drifted to #random, returning to Sarah
10:54 - Done, closing
```

The act of logging creates accountability.

### Option 3: Time-boxing
> "I have 10 minutes to do [task] in [app]. Timer starts now."

When timer ends, close the app regardless.

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## The Exit Ritual

Before closing an app/tab:

> "Did I do what I came here to do?"

If yes: Close with confidence.
If no: Either finish now or note it as incomplete.

---

## Output

This skill creates:
1. A stated intention before switching contexts
2. Awareness of drift when it happens
3. A conscious choice to return or continue
4. (Optional) An intention log for patterns

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*For end-of-day review of what you actually did, see [What Did I Do This Week](https://github.com/mcltyl/what-did-i-do-this-week-skills)*