How to use Anchor

1. Set up your assistant profile

When you first install Anchor, write your name, role, daily goal and normal work context. This makes the extension feel personal and gives AI/local coach messages better context.

2. Start one focus session

Open the Anchor popup or page widget and click Start Focus. Write the task you are working on and choose a focus length. Anchor supports up to 90 minutes before it recommends recovery.

Shortcuts: Alt + Shift + F starts focus, Alt + Shift + N opens quick note, Alt + Shift + T opens quick task.

3. Save sticky notes on any page

Click + Note from the Anchor widget. Notes can be page-specific or global. They remember the URL, domain, color, group, current task and hidden/minimized state.

The note close button hides a note. It does not delete it. Deleted notes require an explicit delete action.

4. Create tasks with links

Use + Task whenever you reach a piece of work you need to finish later. Anchor saves the title, description, priority, project/group and the current URL so you can return exactly where you stopped.

5. Use the Tasks & Notes board

Move tasks through Backlog, Today, In Progress and Done. The web dashboard can also show synced tasks after you connect the extension to your Anchor account.

6. Distraction interruption

If a focus session is active and you open a blocked domain, Anchor displays a supportive interruption. You can go back, capture a note, or consciously bypass. Bypasses affect your local focus score.

7. End-of-day review

At your configured review hour, Anchor can ask what you finished, what remains unfinished and what should move to tomorrow. This is designed to preserve momentum for the next day.

8. Cloud sync and AI coach

Anchor is local-first. To use cloud sync and server-side AI, create a beta account, copy your API Base URL and token into extension Settings, then click Sync local data now.

OpenAI is never called directly from the extension. Your backend calls OpenAI safely using the server `.env` key.

9. Recommended beta workflow

1. Start one real focus session daily.
2. Save at least one task with a link.
3. Use sticky notes for decisions and next steps.
4. Review unfinished work at the end of the day.
5. Check dashboard patterns after 3–7 days.