Org-mode Fundamentals

Master Emacs’ powerful organization and note-taking system in just 2 hours

productivity
organization
note-taking
emacs
Learn the basics of Org-mode, a powerful plain text system for notes, planning, and project management within Emacs, featuring outlines, todo lists, scheduling, and much more.
Modified

July 2, 2025

Org-mode Fundamentals

Learn the basics of this powerful organization and note-taking system for Emacs in just 2 hours

2 Hours Beginner to Intermediate Hands-on
Org-mode Workshop

1 Session Overview

This 2-hour microlearning session introduces Org-mode, a powerful plain text system for notes, todo lists, planning, and project management within the Emacs text editor. Org-mode combines the simplicity of plain text with the power of a complete organizational system, allowing you to manage tasks, take notes, create documents, and much more. In this session, you’ll learn the fundamental concepts and commands to start using Org-mode for personal productivity and information management.

1.1 What You’ll Learn

  • Set up and configure Org-mode in Emacs
  • Create structured documents with headings and outlines
  • Manage tasks with TODO states and priorities
  • Schedule tasks and set deadlines
  • Take effective notes with Org-mode
  • Export Org documents to various formats (HTML, PDF, etc.)
  • Integrate Org-mode into your daily workflow

2 Session Curriculum

2.1 Part 1: Introduction to Org-mode (30 minutes)

  • What is Org-mode and why use it?
  • Setting up Org-mode in Emacs
  • Basic Org file structure and syntax
  • Creating and navigating outlines with headings
  • Text formatting and markup options
  • Working with lists (ordered, unordered, description)
  • Links and cross-references

2.2 Part 2: Task Management and Planning (40 minutes)

  • Creating TODO items
  • Customizing TODO states (DONE, WAITING, CANCELLED, etc.)
  • Setting priorities
  • Tagging and categorizing items
  • Scheduling tasks and setting deadlines
  • Creating recurring tasks
  • Using the agenda view to see scheduled items
  • Tracking time with the clock feature

2.3 Part 3: Advanced Features and Workflows (40 minutes)

  • Note-taking strategies with Org-mode
  • Working with tables
  • Code blocks and literate programming
  • Capturing ideas and information with org-capture
  • Archiving completed tasks
  • Exporting Org files to other formats (HTML, PDF, etc.)
  • Using templates for consistent structures
  • Basic customization options

2.4 Part 4: Integration and Best Practices (10 minutes)

  • Setting up a sustainable Org system
  • Common Org-mode workflows
  • Mobile options for Org files
  • Resources for continued learning
  • Tips and tricks from experienced users

3 Learning Outcomes

By the end of this microlearning session, you will be able to:

  • Create structured Org documents with headings, lists, and formatting
  • Set up a task management system with TODO states and scheduling
  • Use the agenda view to see upcoming tasks and deadlines
  • Capture notes and ideas efficiently with org-capture
  • Export your Org documents to different formats
  • Implement best practices for organizing your information
  • Know where to find help and resources for continued learning

4 Teaching Methods

This session combines:

  • Live demonstrations
  • Hands-on exercises
  • Template-based learning
  • Real-world use cases
  • Interactive challenges

5 Target Audience

This microlearning session is ideal for:

  • Emacs users looking to enhance their productivity
  • Knowledge workers who manage multiple projects
  • Writers, researchers, and academics
  • Software developers and technical professionals
  • Anyone interested in plain-text productivity systems

6 Prerequisites

  • Basic familiarity with Emacs (completion of our “Emacs Essentials” microlearning session is recommended but not required)
  • Bring your laptop with Emacs and Org-mode installed (installation instructions will be provided)

7 Materials

All participants will receive:

  • Org-mode cheat sheet with key commands and syntax
  • Template files for different use cases (notes, projects, journals)
  • Sample Emacs configuration for Org-mode
  • Recommended Org-mode packages and extensions
  • List of resources for continued learning

Your Instructor

Instructor
Dr. Emma Liu

Productivity Researcher & Emacs Expert

Dr. Liu has been using Org-mode for over a decade to manage her research, teaching, and personal projects. She has published several articles on productivity systems and regularly speaks at Emacs conferences.

Register Now

Next session: July 28, 2023, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM CEST

Fee: €49 (Academic discount available)

Location: Online via Zoom

Register for This Session

What Participants Say

"I've tried dozens of productivity apps, but nothing compares to the flexibility of Org-mode. This session gave me a solid foundation to build my own system that actually fits my workflow."

Nathan T.

Project Manager

"The agenda view completely changed how I manage my research projects. The instructor's examples were directly applicable to my academic work, which was refreshing."

Julia M.

PhD Candidate

"As a software developer, I appreciated how Org-mode integrates with my coding workflow. The literate programming section was particularly valuable, and I now use it for all my documentation."

Alex P.

Senior Developer

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