A speed-optimized syntax highlighting system for tracking daily tasks, notes, and progress in Notepad++. Designed for developers and professionals who want a fast, keyboard-friendly way to manage their daily work without leaving their text editor.

• Lightning-fast typing - Single character markers for quick note-taking
• Visual priority system - Color-coded tasks by urgency and status
• Logger-style keywords - Familiar TODO, FIXME, NOTE syntax
• 5 beautiful themes - One Dark, Nord, Dracula, Gruvbox, Tokyo Night
• Zero dependencies - Just Notepad++ and these XML files

Pick a theme that matches your Notepad++ global theme:

• WorkTracker-OneDark.xml - Clean, modern (matches Atom One Dark)
• WorkTracker-Nord.xml - Calm, muted (easy on eyes)
• WorkTracker-Dracula.xml - Vibrant, high contrast
• WorkTracker-Gruvbox.xml - Warm, retro feel
• WorkTracker-TokyoNight.xml - Modern, anime-inspired

1. Open Notepad++
2. Go to Language → User Defined Language → Define your language...
3. Click the Import button
4. Select your chosen XML file
5. Restart Notepad++

Create a file with one of these extensions:

• .wtk - Work Tracker
• .track - Track
• .todo - Todo

The syntax highlighting will activate automatically!

# Main Task Name !!!
  - Subtask 1 +
  - Subtask 2 >
  - Subtask 3 x
  TODO Add password reset flow
  **Remember to check with **@alice****
  ~Cancelled or deprecated item~

code block here

Use these at the end of your # task headers:

Note: # headers get a full-line cyan background for easy scanning!

Use these at the end of your - subtasks:

These work like programming log levels - type them at the beginning of a line:

• TODO - Things to do
• FIXME - Needs fixing urgently
• DEADLINE - Time-sensitive items
• !!! - Triple exclamation for extreme urgency

• WARN - Warnings or cautions
• REVIEW - Needs review
• HACK - Temporary workaround
• !! - Double exclamation

• NOTE - General notes
• INFO - Information
• MEETING - Meeting notes
• ! - Single exclamation

• QUESTION - Questions to resolve
• IDEA - Future ideas
• DEBUG - Debug information

• OPTIMIZE - Performance improvements
• TEST - Testing related
• BUG - Bug tracking
• REFACTOR - Code refactoring

# 2025-01-07 Work Log

# Authentication System !!!
  - Implement JWT tokens ~
  - Write unit tests
  - Update documentation x
  TODO Add password reset flow
  FIXME Token expiry too short
  >> Working on token refresh mechanism
  ** Remember to update API docs @john

# Database Migration !!
  - Backup production DB +
  - Test migration locally ~
  - Schedule maintenance window
  WARN This will take 2+ hours
  NOTE Using PostgreSQL 15.2

# Code Reviews
  - Review PR #245 +
  - Review PR #248
  QUESTION Should we merge before release?

# Bug Fixes - Sprint 12

# Critical Bugs !!!
  - Login timeout issue +
  - Payment processing error >
  FIXME Memory leak in dashboard

// Temporary fix - needs refactor clearInterval(timer);

# Minor Bugs !
- UI alignment on mobile
- Tooltip positioning
BUG Export CSV button not working
~Duplicate entry validation~ (Won't fix)

# Team Standup - 2025-01-07

# Alice
  - Completed user profile feature +
  - Working on notifications >
  BLOCKED Waiting for API key from backend
  **Follow up with **@bob** on API access**

# Bob
  - Code review done +
  - Starting authentication module
  TODO Need to discuss architecture with team

# Charlie
  - Database optimization >
  - Performance testing x
  WARN Server resources running low
  **Follow up on cloud billing**

# Q1 2025 Projects

# Mobile App Launch !!!
  - Design mockups +
  - Backend API >
  - iOS development
  - Android development
  DEADLINE March 15, 2025
  REVIEW Weekly check-ins with product team
  **Coordinate with **@sarah** on design assets**

# Website Redesign !!
  - User research +
  - Wireframes >
  - Component library
  IDEA Consider dark mode support
  NOTE Targeting mid-February launch

# Internal Tools !
  - Admin dashboard
  - Reporting system
  OPTIMIZE Can reuse existing components

1. Write first, mark later: Type your tasks quickly, then add status markers

   - Implement feature
   - Write tests
   - Deploy
   

   Then update:

   - Implement feature +
   - Write tests >
   - Deploy
   

2. Use consistent daily structure: Start each day with the same format

   # 2025-01-07 Work Log
   
   # High Priority !!!
   # Today's Tasks
   # Follow-ups
   # Notes
   

3. Leverage logger keywords: Use them like you would in code

   TODO Implement error handling
   FIXME Memory leak in loop
   NOTE API rate limit is 100/hour
   

4. Use code blocks for snippets: Wrap code in triple backticks

   ` `` `
   function example() {
     return true;
   }
   ` `` `
   

5. Highlight important mentions: Use **@name** to make mentions stand out

   **Check deployment with **@alice** before 3pm**
   

6. Group related tasks: Use # headers to organize by project/category

   # Frontend Work
     - Component A
     - Component B
   
   # Backend Work
     - API endpoint
     - Database schema
   

By Priority:

# Critical !!!
# High Priority !!
# Medium Priority !
# Low Priority

By Project:

# Project Alpha !!
# Project Beta !
# Maintenance Tasks

By Time:

# Morning Tasks
# Afternoon Tasks
# End of Day

By Status:

# In Progress ~
# Blocked x
# Completed Today +

Make Notepad++ even faster:

• Ctrl + D - Duplicate line (repeat tasks)
• Ctrl + L - Delete line (remove completed tasks)
• Ctrl + Shift + Up/Down - Move lines (reorder priorities)
• Alt + Shift + Arrow - Column selection (bulk edit status markers)

Create a folder structure:

work-tracker/
├── 2025-01-07.wtk
├── 2025-01-08.wtk
├── projects/
│   ├── project-alpha.wtk
│   └── project-beta.wtk
└── archive/
    └── 2024-12.wtk

Or use a single rolling file:

daily-log.wtk (keep current week)

You can modify the XML to add custom keywords:

1. Open the XML file in a text editor
2. Find the <Keywords name="Keywords5"> section
3. Add your custom words (space-separated)
4. Reimport the UDL

Example:

<Keywords name="Keywords5">OPTIMIZE TEST BUG REFACTOR DEPLOY HOTFIX</Keywords>

Each <WordsStyle> tag controls colors:

<WordsStyle name="KEYWORDS1" fgColor="E06C75" bgColor="282C34" fontStyle="1" />

• fgColor - Text color (hex without #)
• bgColor - Background color
• fontStyle - 0=Normal, 1=Bold, 2=Italic, 3=Bold+Italic

In the XML header:

<UserLang name="WorkTracker-OneDark" ext="wtk track todo log notes">

Add more extensions separated by spaces.

• Check that your file has the correct extension (.wtk, .track, .todo)
• Restart Notepad++ after importing
• Verify the UDL is active: Language menu should show "WorkTracker-[Theme]"

• Keywords are case-insensitive (TODO = todo)
• Logger keywords need whitespace before them (start of line)
• Status markers work anywhere in the line

• Make sure you imported the UDL that matches your Notepad++ global theme
• Check Settings → Style Configurator for theme compatibility

• Notepad++ may need additional configuration for strikethrough
• As a workaround, use ~text~ visually to indicate cancelled items

This system is designed around these principles:

1. Speed First: Every marker is 1-2 characters. No typing [URGENT] when !!! works.

2. Visual Hierarchy: Your eyes should immediately see what's critical (red), what's done (green), and what's in progress (blue).

3. Familiar Patterns: Uses conventions from programming (TODO, FIXME) and project management (+, ~, x).

4. Distraction-Free: Works in a simple text editor. No databases, no sync, no cloud. Just you and your notes.

5. Flexible: No enforced structure. Use what works for you. Ignore what doesn't.

• ✅ Faster typing (no mouse, no UI)
• ✅ Works offline always
• ✅ Plain text = portable forever
• ✅ Code blocks for technical notes
• ❌ No reminders or mobile sync

• ✅ Prettier syntax highlighting
• ✅ Faster status markers (> vs - [ ])
• ✅ Visual priority system with backgrounds
• ✅ Logger keywords (TODO, FIXME, etc.)
• ✅ Full-line header highlighting
• ✅ Code block support
• ➖ Still readable as plain text

• ✅ Instant, no loading
• ✅ Personal, private notes
• ✅ No context switching
• ✅ Perfect for technical documentation
• ❌ Not for team collaboration

Have ideas for improvements? Suggestions:

• Additional logger keywords
• New status markers
• Different color schemes
• Folding support
• Date/time highlighting

Feel free to modify the XML files to suit your workflow!

These UDL files are provided as-is for personal and commercial use. Modify and share freely.

• Theme colors from: Dracula, Nord, Gruvbox, One Dark, Tokyo Night projects
• Syntax inspired by developer log patterns and project management workflows
• Built for Notepad++ User Defined Language system

v1.0 - January 2025

• Initial release with 5 themes
• Speed-optimized syntax
• Logger keyword support
• Status and priority markers

Happy tracking! 🚀

For questions or issues, refer to the Notepad++ UDL documentation or community forums.