pending.nvim/doc/pending.txt
Barrett Ruth 7d93c4bb45
feat: omnifunc completion, recurring tasks, expanded date syntax (#27)
* feat(config): add recur_syntax and someday_date fields

Problem: the plugin needs configuration for the recurrence token name
and the sentinel date used by the `later`/`someday` named dates.

Solution: add `recur_syntax` (default 'rec') and `someday_date`
(default '9999-12-30') to pending.Config and the defaults table.

* feat(parse): expand date vocabulary with named dates

Problem: the date input only supports today, tomorrow, +Nd, and
weekday names, lacking relative offsets like weeks/months, period
boundaries, ordinals, month names, and backdating.

Solution: add yesterday, eod, sow/eow, som/eom, soq/eoq, soy/eoy,
+Nw, +Nm, -Nd, -Nw, ordinals (1st-31st), month names (jan-dec),
and later/someday to resolve_date(). Add tests for all new tokens.

* feat(recur): add recurrence parsing and next-date computation

Problem: the plugin has no concept of recurring tasks, which is
needed for habits and repeating deadlines.

Solution: add recur.lua with parse(), validate(), next_due(),
to_rrule(), and shorthand_list(). Supports named shorthands (daily,
weekdays, weekly, etc.), interval notation (Nd, Nw, Nm, Ny), raw
RRULE passthrough, and ! prefix for completion-based mode. Includes
day-clamping for month/year advancement.

* feat(store): add recur and recur_mode task fields

Problem: the task schema has no fields for storing recurrence rules.

Solution: add recur and recur_mode to the Task class, known_fields,
task_to_table, table_to_task, and the add() signature.

* feat(parse): add rec: inline token parsing

Problem: the buffer parser does not recognize recurrence tokens,
so users cannot set recurrence rules inline.

Solution: add recur_key() helper and rec: token parsing in body()
and command_add(), with ! prefix handling for completion-based mode
and validation via recur.validate().

* feat(diff): propagate recurrence through buffer reconciliation

Problem: the diff layer does not extract or apply recurrence fields,
so rec: tokens written in the buffer are silently ignored on :w.

Solution: add rec and rec_mode to ParsedEntry, extract them in
parse_buffer(), and pass them through create and update paths in
apply().

* feat(init): spawn next task on recurring task completion

Problem: completing a recurring task does not create the next
occurrence, and :Pending add does not pass recurrence fields.

Solution: in toggle_complete(), detect recurrence and spawn a new
pending task with the next due date. Wire rec/rec_mode through the
add() command path.

* feat(views): add recurrence to LineMeta

Problem: LineMeta does not carry recurrence info, so the buffer
layer cannot display recurrence indicators.

Solution: add recur field to LineMeta and populate it in both
category_view() and priority_view().

* feat(buffer): add PendingRecur highlight and recurrence virtual text

Problem: recurring tasks have no visual indicator in the buffer,
and the extmark logic uses a rigid if/elseif chain that does not
compose well with additional virtual text fields.

Solution: add PendingRecur highlight group linking to DiagnosticInfo.
Refactor apply_extmarks() to build virtual text parts dynamically,
appending category, recurrence indicator, and due date as separate
composable segments. Set omnifunc on the pending buffer.

* feat(complete): add omnifunc for cat:, due:, and rec: tokens

Problem: the pending buffer has no completion source, requiring
users to type metadata tokens from memory.

Solution: add complete.lua with an omnifunc that completes cat:
tokens from existing categories, due: tokens from the named date
vocabulary, and rec: tokens from recurrence shorthands.

* docs: document recurrence, expanded dates, omnifunc, new config

Problem: the vimdoc does not cover recurrence, expanded date syntax,
omnifunc completion, or the new config fields.

Solution: add DATE INPUT and RECURRENCE sections, update INLINE
METADATA, COMMANDS, CONFIGURATION, HIGHLIGHT GROUPS, HEALTH CHECK,
and DATA FORMAT. Expand the help popup with recurrence patterns and
new date tokens. Add recurrence validation to healthcheck.

* ci: fix

* fix(recur): resolve LuaLS type errors

Problem: LuaLS reported undefined-field for `_raw` on RecurSpec and
param-type-mismatch for `last_day.day` in `advance_date` because
`osdate.day` infers as `string|integer`.

Solution: Add `_raw` to the RecurSpec class annotation and cast
`last_day.day` to integer in both `math.min` call sites.

* refactor(init): remove help popup, use config-driven keymaps

Problem: Buffer-local keymaps were hardcoded with no way for users to
customize them. The g? help popup duplicated information already in the
vimdoc.

Solution: Remove show_help() and the g? mapping. Refactor
_setup_buf_mappings to read from cfg.keymaps, letting users override or
disable any buffer-local binding via vim.g.pending.

* feat(config): add keymaps table for buffer-local bindings

Problem: Users had no way to customize or disable buffer-local key
bindings in the pending buffer.

Solution: Add a pending.Keymaps class and keymaps field to
pending.Config with defaults for all eight buffer actions. Setting any
key to false disables that binding.

* feat(plugin): add Plug mappings for all buffer actions

Problem: Only five of nine buffer actions had <Plug> mappings, so users
could not bind close, undo, open-line, or open-line-above globally.

Solution: Add <Plug>(pending-close), <Plug>(pending-undo),
<Plug>(pending-open-line), and <Plug>(pending-open-line-above).

* docs: update mappings and config for keymaps and new Plug entries

Problem: Vimdoc still listed g? help popup, lacked documentation for
the four new <Plug> mappings, and had no keymaps config section.

Solution: Remove g? from mappings table, document all nine <Plug>
mappings, add keymaps table to the config example and field reference,
and note that buffer-local keys are configurable.
2026-02-25 13:27:52 -05:00

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*pending.txt* Buffer-centric task management for Neovim
Author: Barrett Ruth <br.barrettruth@gmail.com>
License: MIT
==============================================================================
INTRODUCTION *pending.nvim*
pending.nvim is a buffer-centric task manager for Neovim. Tasks live in a
plain, editable buffer — add with `o`, delete with `dd`, reorder with
`dd`/`p`, rename by typing. Writing the buffer with `:w` computes a diff
against the JSON store and applies only the changes. No floating windows,
no special UI, no abstraction between you and your tasks.
The buffer looks like this: >
School
! Read chapter 5 Feb 28
Submit homework Feb 25
Errands
Buy groceries Mar 01
Clean apartment
<
Category headers sit at column 0. Tasks are indented two spaces below them.
`!` marks a priority task. Due dates appear as right-aligned virtual text.
Completed tasks are rendered with strikethrough. Task IDs are embedded as
concealed tokens and are never visible during editing.
Features: ~
- Oil-style buffer editing: standard Vim motions for all task operations
- Inline metadata syntax: `due:`, `cat:`, and `rec:` tokens parsed on `:w`
- Relative date input: `today`, `tomorrow`, `+Nd`, `+Nw`, `+Nm`, weekday
names, month names, ordinals, and more
- Recurring tasks with automatic next-date spawning on completion
- Two views: category (default) and priority flat list
- Multi-level undo (up to 20 `:w` saves, session-only)
- Quick-add from the command line with `:Pending add`
- Quickfix list of overdue/due-today tasks via `:Pending due`
- Foldable category sections (`zc`/`zo`) in category view
- Omnifunc completion for `cat:`, `due:`, and `rec:` tokens (`<C-x><C-o>`)
- Google Calendar one-way push via OAuth PKCE
==============================================================================
REQUIREMENTS *pending-requirements*
- Neovim 0.10+
- No external dependencies for local use
- `curl` and `openssl` are required for Google Calendar sync
==============================================================================
INSTALL *pending-install*
Install with lazy.nvim: >lua
{ 'barrettruth/pending.nvim' }
<
Install with luarocks: >vim
luarocks install pending.nvim
<
No `setup()` call is needed. The plugin loads automatically and works with
defaults. To customize behavior, set |vim.g.pending| before the plugin loads.
See |pending-config|.
==============================================================================
USAGE *pending-usage*
Open the task buffer: >vim
:Pending
<
The buffer named `pending://` opens in the current window. From there, use
standard Vim editing:
- `o` / `O` to add a new task line under or above the cursor
- `dd` to remove a task (deletion is applied on `:w`)
- `dd` + `p` to reorder tasks (pasted tasks receive new IDs)
- `:w` to save — all additions, deletions, and edits are diffed against the
store and committed atomically
Buffer-local keys are set automatically when the buffer opens. See
|pending-mappings| for the full list.
The buffer uses `buftype=acwrite` so `:w` always routes through pending.nvim's
write handler rather than writing to disk directly. The `pending://` buffer
persists across window switches; reopening with `:Pending` focuses the
existing window if one is open. The buffer is automatically reloaded from
disk when entered unmodified.
==============================================================================
INLINE METADATA *pending-metadata*
Metadata tokens may be appended to any task line before saving. Tokens are
parsed from the right and consumed until a non-metadata token is reached.
Supported tokens: ~
`due:YYYY-MM-DD` Set a due date using an absolute date.
`due:<name>` Resolve a named date (see |pending-dates| below).
`cat:Name` Move the task to the named category on save.
`rec:<pattern>` Set a recurrence rule (see |pending-recurrence|).
The token name for due dates defaults to `due` and is configurable via
`date_syntax` in |pending-config|. The token name for recurrence defaults to
`rec` and is configurable via `recur_syntax`.
Example: >
Buy milk due:2026-03-15 cat:Errands
Take out trash due:monday rec:weekly
<
On `:w`, the description becomes `Buy milk`, the due date is stored as
`2026-03-15` and rendered as right-aligned virtual text, and the task is
placed under the `Errands` category header.
Parsing stops at the first token that is not a recognised metadata token.
Repeated tokens of the same type also stop parsing — only one `due:`, one
`cat:`, and one `rec:` per task line are consumed.
Omnifunc completion is available for all three token types. In insert mode,
type `due:`, `cat:`, or `rec:` and press `<C-x><C-o>` to see suggestions.
==============================================================================
DATE INPUT *pending-dates*
Named dates can be used anywhere a date is accepted: the `due:` inline
token, the `D` prompt, and `:Pending add`.
Token Resolves to ~
----- -----------
`today` Today's date
`tomorrow` Tomorrow's date
`yesterday` Yesterday's date
`eod` Today (end of day semantics)
`+Nd` N days from today (e.g. `+3d`)
`+Nw` N weeks from today (e.g. `+2w`)
`+Nm` N months from today (e.g. `+1m`)
`-Nd` N days ago (e.g. `-2d`)
`-Nw` N weeks ago (e.g. `-1w`)
`mon``sun` Next occurrence of that weekday
`jan``dec` 1st of next occurrence of that month
`1st``31st` Next occurrence of that day-of-month
`sow` / `eow` Monday / Sunday of current week
`som` / `eom` First / last day of current month
`soq` / `eoq` First / last day of current quarter
`soy` / `eoy` January 1 / December 31 of current year
`later` / `someday` Sentinel date (default: `9999-12-30`)
==============================================================================
RECURRENCE *pending-recurrence*
Tasks can recur on a schedule. Add a `rec:` token to set recurrence: >
- [ ] Take out trash due:monday rec:weekly
- [ ] Pay rent due:2026-03-01 rec:monthly
- [ ] Standup due:tomorrow rec:weekdays
<
When a recurring task is marked done with `<CR>`:
1. The current task stays as done (preserving history).
2. A new pending task is created with the same description, category,
priority, and recurrence — with the due date advanced to the next
occurrence.
Shorthand patterns: ~
Pattern Meaning ~
------- -------
`daily` Every day
`weekdays` Monday through Friday
`weekly` Every week
`biweekly` Every 2 weeks (alias: `2w`)
`monthly` Every month
`quarterly` Every 3 months (alias: `3m`)
`yearly` Every year (alias: `annual`)
`Nd` Every N days (e.g. `3d`)
`Nw` Every N weeks (e.g. `2w`)
`Nm` Every N months (e.g. `6m`)
`Ny` Every N years (e.g. `2y`)
For patterns the shorthand cannot express, use a raw RRULE fragment: >
rec:FREQ=MONTHLY;BYDAY=1MO
<
Completion-based recurrence: ~ *pending-recur-completion*
By default, recurrence is schedule-based: the next due date advances from the
original schedule, skipping to the next future occurrence. Prefix the pattern
with `!` for completion-based mode, where the next due date advances from the
completion date: >
rec:!weekly
<
Schedule-based is like org-mode `++`; completion-based is like `.+`.
Google Calendar: ~
Recurrence patterns map directly to iCalendar RRULE strings for future GCal
sync support. Completion-based recurrence cannot be synced (it is inherently
local).
==============================================================================
COMMANDS *pending-commands*
*:Pending*
:Pending
Open the task buffer. If the buffer is already displayed in a window,
focus that window. Equivalent to |<Plug>(pending-open)|.
*:Pending-add*
:Pending add {text}
Quick-add a task without opening the buffer. Inline metadata tokens in
{text} are parsed exactly as they are in the buffer. A `Category: ` prefix
(uppercase first letter, colon, space) assigns the category directly: >vim
:Pending add Buy groceries due:2026-03-15
:Pending add School: Submit homework
:Pending add Errands: Pick up dry cleaning due:fri
:Pending add Work: standup due:tomorrow rec:weekdays
<
If the buffer is currently open it is re-rendered after the add.
*:Pending-archive*
:Pending archive [{days}]
Permanently remove done and deleted tasks whose completion timestamp is
older than {days} days. {days} defaults to 30 if not provided. >vim
:Pending archive " remove tasks completed more than 30 days ago
:Pending archive 7 " remove tasks completed more than 7 days ago
<
*:Pending-due*
:Pending due
Populate the quickfix list with all tasks that are overdue or due today.
Open the list with |:copen| to navigate to each task's category.
*:Pending-sync*
:Pending sync
Push pending tasks that have a due date to Google Calendar as all-day
events. Requires |pending-gcal| to be configured. See |pending-gcal| for
full details on what gets created, updated, and deleted.
*:Pending-undo*
:Pending undo
Undo the last `:w` save, restoring the task store to its previous state.
Equivalent to the `U` buffer-local key (see |pending-mappings|). Up to 20
levels of undo are retained per session.
==============================================================================
MAPPINGS *pending-mappings*
The following keys are set buffer-locally when the task buffer opens. They
are active only in the `pending://` buffer.
Buffer-local keys are configured via the `keymaps` table in |pending-config|.
The defaults are shown below. Set any key to `false` to disable it.
Default buffer-local keys: ~
Key Action ~
------- ------------------------------------------------
`q` Close the task buffer (`close`)
`<CR>` Toggle complete / uncomplete (`toggle`)
`!` Toggle the priority flag (`priority`)
`D` Prompt for a due date (`date`)
`<Tab>` Switch between category / priority view (`view`)
`U` Undo the last `:w` save (`undo`)
`o` Insert a new task line below (`open_line`)
`O` Insert a new task line above (`open_line_above`)
`zc` Fold the current category section (category view only)
`zo` Unfold the current category section (category view only)
`dd`, `p`, `P`, and `:w` work as standard Vim operations.
*<Plug>(pending-open)*
<Plug>(pending-open)
Open the task buffer. Maps to |:Pending| with no arguments.
*<Plug>(pending-close)*
<Plug>(pending-close)
Close the task buffer window.
*<Plug>(pending-toggle)*
<Plug>(pending-toggle)
Toggle complete / uncomplete for the task under the cursor.
*<Plug>(pending-priority)*
<Plug>(pending-priority)
Toggle the priority flag for the task under the cursor.
*<Plug>(pending-date)*
<Plug>(pending-date)
Prompt for a due date for the task under the cursor.
*<Plug>(pending-view)*
<Plug>(pending-view)
Switch between category view and priority view.
*<Plug>(pending-undo)*
<Plug>(pending-undo)
Undo the last `:w` save.
*<Plug>(pending-open-line)*
<Plug>(pending-open-line)
Insert a correctly-formatted blank task line below the cursor.
*<Plug>(pending-open-line-above)*
<Plug>(pending-open-line-above)
Insert a correctly-formatted blank task line above the cursor.
Example configuration: >lua
vim.keymap.set('n', '<leader>t', '<Plug>(pending-open)')
vim.keymap.set('n', '<leader>T', '<Plug>(pending-toggle)')
<
==============================================================================
VIEWS *pending-views*
Two views are available. Switch with `<Tab>` or |<Plug>(pending-view)|.
Category view (default): ~ *pending-view-category*
Tasks are grouped under their category header. Categories appear in the
order tasks were added unless `category_order` is set (see
|pending-config|). Blank lines separate categories. Within each category,
pending tasks appear before done tasks. Priority tasks (`!`) are sorted
first within each group. Category sections are foldable with `zc` and
`zo`.
Priority view: ~ *pending-view-priority*
A flat list of all tasks sorted by priority, then by due date (tasks
without a due date sort last), then by internal order. Done tasks appear
after all pending tasks. Category names are shown as right-aligned virtual
text alongside the due date virtual text so tasks remain identifiable
across categories.
==============================================================================
CONFIGURATION *pending-config*
Configuration is done via `vim.g.pending`. Set this before the plugin
loads: >lua
vim.g.pending = {
data_path = vim.fn.stdpath('data') .. '/pending/tasks.json',
default_view = 'category',
default_category = 'Inbox',
date_format = '%b %d',
date_syntax = 'due',
recur_syntax = 'rec',
someday_date = '9999-12-30',
category_order = {},
keymaps = {
close = 'q',
toggle = '<CR>',
view = '<Tab>',
priority = '!',
date = 'D',
undo = 'U',
open_line = 'o',
open_line_above = 'O',
},
gcal = {
calendar = 'Tasks',
credentials_path = '/path/to/client_secret.json',
},
}
<
All fields are optional. Unset fields use the defaults shown above.
*pending.Config*
Fields: ~
{data_path} (string)
Path to the JSON file where tasks are stored.
Default: `stdpath('data') .. '/pending/tasks.json'`.
The directory is created automatically on first save.
{default_view} ('category'|'priority', default: 'category')
The view to use when the buffer is opened for the
first time in a session.
{default_category} (string, default: 'Inbox')
Category assigned to new tasks when no `cat:` token
is present and no `Category: ` prefix is used with
`:Pending add`.
{date_format} (string, default: '%b %d')
strftime format string used to render due dates as
virtual text in the buffer. Examples: `'%Y-%m-%d'`
for ISO dates, `'%d %b'` for day-first.
{date_syntax} (string, default: 'due')
The token name for inline due-date metadata. Change
this to use a different keyword, for example `'by'`
to write `by:2026-03-15` instead of `due:2026-03-15`.
{recur_syntax} (string, default: 'rec')
The token name for inline recurrence metadata. Change
this to use a different keyword, for example
`'repeat'` to write `repeat:weekly`.
{someday_date} (string, default: '9999-12-30')
The date that `later` and `someday` resolve to. This
acts as a "no date" sentinel for GTD-style workflows.
{category_order} (string[], default: {})
Ordered list of category names. In category view,
categories that appear in this list are shown in the
given order. Categories not in the list are appended
after the ordered ones in their natural order.
{keymaps} (table, default: see below) *pending.Keymaps*
Buffer-local key bindings. Each field maps an action
name to a key string. Set a field to `false` to
disable that binding. Unset fields use the default.
See |pending-mappings| for the full list of actions
and their default keys.
{gcal} (table, default: nil)
Google Calendar sync configuration. See
|pending.GcalConfig|. Omit this field entirely to
disable Google Calendar sync.
==============================================================================
GOOGLE CALENDAR *pending-gcal*
pending.nvim can push tasks with due dates to a dedicated Google Calendar as
all-day events. This is a one-way push; changes made in Google Calendar are
not pulled back into pending.nvim.
Configuration: >lua
vim.g.pending = {
gcal = {
calendar = 'Tasks',
credentials_path = '/path/to/client_secret.json',
},
}
<
*pending.GcalConfig*
Fields: ~
{calendar} (string, default: 'Pendings')
Name of the Google Calendar to sync to. If a calendar
with this name does not exist it is created
automatically on the first sync.
{credentials_path} (string)
Path to the OAuth client secret JSON file downloaded
from the Google Cloud Console. Default:
`stdpath('data')..'/pending/gcal_credentials.json'`.
The file may be in the `installed` wrapper format
that Google provides or as a bare credentials object.
OAuth flow: ~
On the first `:Pending sync` call the plugin detects that no refresh token
exists and opens the Google authorization URL in the browser using
|vim.ui.open()|. A temporary local HTTP server listens on port 18392 for the
OAuth redirect. The PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) flow is used —
`openssl` generates the code challenge. After the user grants consent, the
authorization code is exchanged for tokens and the refresh token is stored at
`stdpath('data')/pending/gcal_tokens.json` with mode `600`. Subsequent syncs
use the stored refresh token and refresh the access token automatically when
it is about to expire.
`:Pending sync` behavior: ~
For each task in the store:
- A pending task with a due date and no existing event: a new all-day event is
created and the event ID is stored in the task's `_extra` table.
- A pending task with a due date and an existing event: the event summary and
date are updated in place.
- A done or deleted task with an existing event: the event is deleted.
- A pending task with no due date that had an existing event: the event is
deleted.
A summary notification is shown after sync: `created: N, updated: N,
deleted: N`.
==============================================================================
HIGHLIGHT GROUPS *pending-highlights*
pending.nvim defines the following highlight groups. All groups are set with
`default`, so colorschemes can override them by defining the group without
`default` before or after the plugin loads.
*PendingHeader*
PendingHeader Applied to category header lines (text at column 0).
Default: links to `Title`.
*PendingDue*
PendingDue Applied to the due date virtual text shown at the right
margin of each task line.
Default: links to `DiagnosticHint`.
*PendingOverdue*
PendingOverdue Applied to the due date virtual text of overdue tasks.
Default: links to `DiagnosticError`.
*PendingDone*
PendingDone Applied to the text of completed tasks.
Default: links to `Comment`.
*PendingPriority*
PendingPriority Applied to the `! ` priority marker on priority tasks.
Default: links to `DiagnosticWarn`.
*PendingRecur*
PendingRecur Applied to the recurrence indicator virtual text shown
alongside due dates for recurring tasks.
Default: links to `DiagnosticInfo`.
To override a group in your colorscheme or config: >lua
vim.api.nvim_set_hl(0, 'PendingDue', { fg = '#aaaaaa', italic = true })
<
==============================================================================
HEALTH CHECK *pending-health*
Run |:checkhealth| pending to verify your setup: >vim
:checkhealth pending
<
Checks performed: ~
- Config loads without error
- Reports active configuration values (data path, default view, default
category, date format, date syntax)
- Whether the data directory exists (warning if not yet created)
- Whether the data file exists and can be parsed; reports total task count
- Validates recurrence specs on stored tasks
- Whether `curl` is available (required for Google Calendar sync)
- Whether `openssl` is available (required for OAuth PKCE)
==============================================================================
DATA FORMAT *pending-data*
Tasks are stored as JSON at `data_path`. The file is safe to edit by hand and
is forward-compatible — unknown fields are preserved on every read/write cycle
via the `_extra` table.
Schema: >
{
"version": 1,
"next_id": 42,
"tasks": [ ... ]
}
<
Task fields: ~
{id} (integer) Unique, auto-incrementing task identifier.
{description} (string) Task text as shown in the buffer.
{status} (string) `'pending'`, `'done'`, or `'deleted'`.
{category} (string) Category name. Defaults to `default_category`.
{priority} (integer) `1` for priority tasks, `0` otherwise.
{due} (string) ISO date string `YYYY-MM-DD`, or absent.
{recur} (string) Recurrence shorthand (e.g. `weekly`), or absent.
{recur_mode} (string) `'scheduled'` or `'completion'`, or absent.
{entry} (string) ISO 8601 UTC timestamp of creation.
{modified} (string) ISO 8601 UTC timestamp of last modification.
{end} (string) ISO 8601 UTC timestamp of completion or deletion.
{order} (integer) Relative ordering within a category.
Any field not in the list above is preserved in `_extra` and written back on
save. This is used internally to store the Google Calendar event ID
(`_gcal_event_id`) and allows third-party tooling to annotate tasks without
data loss.
The `version` field is checked on load. If the file version is newer than the
version the plugin supports, loading is aborted with an error message asking
you to update the plugin.
==============================================================================
vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: