An Emacs package that implements Luhmann's numbering system for Org mode.

org-luhmann provides a systematic way to organize your notes using Luhmann's numbering system in Org mode. This system enables:

• Hierarchical numbering (e.g., 1, 1.1, 1.2)
• Branch sequences with letters (e.g., 1a, 1b, 1c)
• Infinite insertion between existing notes
• Automatic number generation based on context

org-luhmann is designed to work incrementally, helping you build your note structure one node at a time. Unlike automatic outline numbering, it:

• Does not automatically number all headings at once
• Generates numbers based on existing context (siblings and parents)
• Lets you choose the relationship of new nodes to existing ones
• Preserves the semantic meaning of your note structure

When you add a new number, org-luhmann analyzes:

1. Current heading's level
2. Previous sibling's number (if any)
3. Parent's number (if any)
4. Existing branch sequences

Then offers appropriate numbering options like:

• Next main sequence number (1, 2, 3, ...)
• Next branch letter (1a, 1b, 1c, ...)
• Next sub-number (1.1, 1.2, ...)
• Next parent branch (2.1, 2.2, ...)

This approach ensures that your note structure grows organically and maintains meaningful relationships between notes.

When adding a number, you'll be prompted with these options:

1. New main number (e.g., next available top-level number)
2. Continue sequence (add letter suffix)
3. Branch from current (create sub-number)
4. Branch from parent (create sibling number)

This feature has been moved to a separate package: org-workbench. Please refer to its README.md for details.

(use-package org-luhmann
  :straight (:host github :repo "yibie/org-luhmann")
  :after org
  :config
  (org-luhmann-setup))

1. Download org-luhmann.el to your load-path
2. Add to your init file:

(require 'org-luhmann)
(org-luhmann-setup)

• M-x org-luhmann-add-number - Add a Luhmann number to current heading
• M-x org-luhmann-add-node - Create a new heading with a Luhmann number
• M-x org-luhmann-export-region-as-links - Export headings in region as org-mode links
• M-x org-luhmann-next-unnumbered-heading - Navigate to next unnumbered heading
• M-x org-luhmann-previous-unnumbered-heading - Navigate to previous unnumbered heading

* 1 Main topic
** 1.1 First subtopic
** 1.2 Second subtopic
** 1.2a Branch of 1.2
** 1.2b Another branch
** 1.2.1 Sub-subtopic
* 2 Second main topic

The intelligent subtree movement feature allows you to reorganize your knowledge structure:

Before moving:

* 1 AI Research
* 2 Market Analysis
* 3 Technical Details
  * 3.1 Implementation
  * 3.2 Architecture
* 4 Future Plans

After moving "3 Technical Details" under "1 AI Research":

* 1 AI Research
  * 1.1 Technical Details
    * 1.1.1 Implementation
    * 1.1.2 Architecture
* 2 Market Analysis
* 4 Future Plans  ← Number gap preserved (Strategy A)

The org-luhmann-export-region-as-links command allows you to export headings as org-mode links:

1. Select a region containing headings, or position cursor on a heading
2. Use C-c l e or M-x org-luhmann-export-region-as-links
3. Choose a target file (existing files will be appended to, new files will be created)
4. The command automatically creates unique IDs for each heading and generates org-mode links

This is useful for creating:

• Table of contents for specific sections
• Reference lists for topics
• Link collections for projects

;; Customize separator between number and title
(setq org-luhmann-title-separator " ")

;; Optional: Use numbers instead of stars for display
(setq org-luhmann-display-style 'number)
(org-luhmann-display-mode 1)

The package provides two display styles for headlines:

• star: Traditional org-mode stars (default)
• number: Replace stars with Luhmann numbers

You can toggle the display enhancement with M-x org-luhmann-display-mode.

Move Workbench to a separate package

The workbench feature has been moved to a separate package: org-workbench. Please refer to its README.md for details.

Features

• Digital Workbench Integration: Full card management system with persistent state across sessions, including:
  • C-c l w (add subtree), C-c l h (add heading), C-c l W (select workbench) commands
  • Card organization via move up/down functionality and jump-to-original-location links
  • Use org-mode as a digital workbench, with all the features of org-mode, including folding/navigation, auto-save, etc.

Multi-Workbench Support: Manage multiple card collections with:

• Workbench selection interface (create/manage options)
• Rename/delete/create workbenches
• Persistent storage across sessions
• Clear header display for current workbench context

Smart Subtree Movement: Complete implementation of:

• Automatic renumbering during moves
• Conflict resolution with letter suffixes (e.g., "3.1" → "3.1a")
• Maintains number gaps to reflect Luhmann's practice

• Added smart navigation for unnumbered headings
• New export functionality for creating org-mode link collections
• Integrated savehist-mode for persistent export history
• Streamlined keyboard shortcuts and removed redundant features
• Improved file selection interface with better user experience

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

Yibie ([email protected])