Stop Chasing Minutes: How I Built a Minimalist Chrome Extension to Reclaim My Workday

 Did you know that the average professional loses over 2 hours a day simply switching between tabs and losing focus? I was one of them. As someone balancing software development and deep-diving into financial markets, I realized that my biggest productivity killer wasn't a lack of effort—it was a lack of a central, "instant-access" place to capture my thoughts without leaving my browser.

I decided to stop searching for the perfect tool and built it myself.

A Glimpse of the Project

Designed for anyone facing time-management hurdles, this project is a sleek, lightweight Chrome Extension. It allows you to add, edit, and delete tasks instantly while you work. No more opening new websites or apps; your to-do list is always just one click away.

todo list chrome extension

todo list chrome extension

todo list chrome extension

todo list chrome extension


The Tech Stack

I kept this project clean and fast by using the "Big Three" of web development:

  • HTML: For the structure and layout.

  • CSS: To create a beautiful, minimal, and dark-mode friendly UI.

  • JavaScript: To handle the logic for adding, editing, and persistent task management.

System Flow: How to Set It Up in 60 Seconds

Getting this extension running on your machine is simple:

  1. Download: Grab the files in a .zip format from my GitHub (link below).

  2. Extract: Unzip the files to a folder on your local machine.

  3. Load: Open Chrome and go to chrome://extensions/. Enable Developer Mode in the top right.

  4. Install: Click "Load unpacked" and select your extracted folder.

  5. Pin: Pin the extension to your Chrome bar for instant access!

Key Features for Maximum Productivity

  • Instant Task Creation: Just press enter to add a thought before you forget it.

  • Seamless Editing: Click any task to edit it like a text document—no clunky menus.

  • Mark as Done: Feel the dopamine hit of ticking off tasks with the undo/redo feature.

  • Minimalist Interface: Zero clutter. Just you and your goals.

Project Outcomes & Why It Works

The goal was to turn every "New Tab" moment into a moment of clarity. This extension is free, instant, and lightweight. It helps you seize the momentum of your workday and get things done without the "bloat" of heavy project management software.

💡 Pro-Tip: The "Two-Minute Rule"

If a task takes less than two minutes, add it to the extension and do it immediately. For everything else, use the "Edit" feature to break large goals into smaller, bite-sized sub-tasks!

What’s Next? (Future Enhancements)

I am currently working on scaling this tool to include:

  • Real-Time Syncing: Access your list across phones and tablets.

  • Team Collaboration: Invite friends or teammates to a shared workspace.

  • Official Web Store Launch: Soon, you'll be able to download this directly from the Chrome Web Store!

Get the Code & Watch the Demo

Ready to boost your productivity? Check out the full source code and documentation here:

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