Org-mode: The Only Guide You'll Ever Need

Org-mode is Emacs' superpower. It's a note-taking tool, a task manager, a document processor, and a lifestyle. Here's everything you need to get started.

📝 Headings & Structure

Headings start with * (asterisks). More asterisks = deeper nesting.

* First heading
** This is a subheading for the first heading
ble ble ble bla bla 

* Second heading                                                      :emacs:
** This is the second heading in the second main heading
etc etc 

Pro tip: Press TAB on a heading to collapse/expand its subtree. Shift+TAB cycles the entire document.

💻 Inline Formatting

Org-mode uses simple markers for text styling:

this is code
=printf("hello world");=
~Verbatim text~

• =code= for inline code snippets
• ~verbatim~ for literal text (no processing)
• *bold*, /italic/, _underline_, +strike-through+

📋 Lists (Bullets & Numbers)

Lists are intuitive. Use +, -, or * for unordered lists. Numbers with . or ) for ordered lists.

* In this there are lists
+ First item
+ Second item
  - Sub-item with dash
  - Another sub-item

1. Numbered item
2) Also works with parentheses
3. Third item

Keybindings: M-enter = new item. M-up/down = move items. M-left/right = indent/outdent.

🔗 Links Everywhere

Links follow the pattern: [[url][description]]

* This header have a link to duckduckgo
[[https://duckduckgo.com][Duck Duck Go website]]

* Local file link
[[file:~/Documents/notes.org][My notes]]

* Internal heading link
[[#my-heading][Jump to heading]]

Press C-c C-o (open link) while on any link to follow it. For internal links, add :CUSTOM_ID: to the heading property.

✅ TODO States & Task Management

Org-mode natively supports TODO keywords. Just type TODO after an asterisk.

* TODO Bla bla bla
* DONE Ble ble ble
CLOSED: [2026-05-02 21:34]

Keybindings:

• S-left/right → cycle TODO states (TODO → DONE → back)
• C-c C-t → change TODO state
• C-c . → insert timestamp (like CLOSED above)

🏷️ Tags

Tags go inside : : at the end of a heading. They're searchable!

* Tags                                                                 :tags:
 C-c C-c to put a tag to a header
 C-c \ to search for a specific tag

Workflow:

1. Type C-c C-c while on a heading → Enter tag name (e.g., emacs or urgent)
2. Press C-c \ → Type a tag → See only headings with that tag
3. Multiple tags: :emacs:work:project:

⚡ Essential Org-mode Keybindings Cheatsheet

Key	Action
C-c C-t	Cycle TODO state
C-c ,	Set priority (A/B/C)
C-c .	Insert timestamp
C-c ;	Toggle comment line
C-c C-x C-b	Show todo list
C-c C-o	Open link
C-c '	Edit source block
C-c C-c	Apply changes/refresh

📤 Exporting to HTML (Like This Page!)

Org-mode can export to HTML, PDF, LaTeX, Markdown, and more.

C-c C-e h h   → Export to HTML and open in browser
C-c C-e l p   → Export to PDF (LaTeX)
C-c C-e m m   → Export to Markdown

Add these to the top of your Org file for more control:

#+TITLE: My Document
#+AUTHOR: barnoun
#+DATE: 2026-05-07
#+OPTIONS: toc:nil num:nil

🎯 Why I Use Org-mode

• Plain text = future proof
• Git-friendly (diff works perfectly)
• I never leave Emacs—everything is in one place
• Literate programming: code + docs mixed together

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Still reading? Good. Now go open Emacs, type C-h i to read the Org-mode manual, and start organizing your entire life in plain text.