Real workflows, real examples

How Daryl works

Daryl lives in your system tray like a helpful coach on your shoulder: you talk naturally, and Daryl guides you from "I should..." to "I'm doing it now" — with Focus Mode, reminders, and gentle nudges (plus optional browser + Gmail integrations).

Like having someone at your shoulder

You don't need to "configure a system." You just talk, and Daryl helps you turn intentions into action.

  • Daryl proposes the next step. "Want to do a 30-minute sprint right now?"
  • Daryl starts the sprint. Focus Mode (DND) turns on, and a check-in is scheduled.
  • Daryl keeps you honest. If you drift, you get a gentle nudge (and optional blocking).
  • Daryl closes the loop. At the end, Daryl asks what got done and suggests the next move.
Daryl - Main
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
Good morning briefing
Morning — good to see you. Yesterday you: - got the report intro drafted - pulled Q4 metrics, but didn't turn them into a narrative yet Also: your "portfolio case study" hasn't moved in 9 days. If you want a quick win, the next step is tiny: write the problem statement + 3 outcome bullets (5–10 minutes). Today's schedule: - 10:00 standup - 2:00 dentist - 3:00 send client deck What do you want to move forward before lunch?
Quarterly report. I keep avoiding it.
Totally normal. Want to do a 30-minute sprint to get the outline started? I'll turn on Focus Mode and check back in when it's up.
🔕 Focus mode activated (30m) — Quarterly report outline
⏰ Scheduled: Check-in in 30 minutes
Browser: reddit.com opened
Quick check — Reddit popped up. Is this for the report, or did we drift? If we drifted, want me to block it just for this sprint?
Drifted. Block it for now.
🧱 Blocked: reddit.com (30m)
New email: "Need approval today" (Finance)
Heads up — Finance emailed "Need approval today". Do you want to handle it now, or should I remind you right after this sprint ends?
Remind me after the sprint.
⏰ Scheduled: After sprint — Check Finance email
⏰ Focus sprint ended
Nice — how'd that sprint go? What did you get done? Want to do one more 25-minute sprint, or switch to the Finance approval?
Type a message...

Use-cases

These are example conversations — the actual actions (DND, schedules, blocking, room management) are real features.

Daily morning briefing (Daryl initiates)

A quick, actionable morning check-in: what matters today + what's already scheduled.

  • Daryl can kick off the day with a short briefing
  • Surfaces your reminders and asks what to prioritize
  • Can start Focus Mode for a timebox right away
Daryl - Main
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
Good morning briefing
Morning — good to see you. Yesterday you: - got the report intro drafted - pulled Q4 metrics, but didn't turn them into a narrative yet Also: your "portfolio case study" hasn't moved in 9 days. If you want a quick win, the next step is tiny: write the problem statement + 3 outcome bullets (5–10 minutes). Today's schedule: - 10:00 standup - 2:00 dentist - 3:00 send client deck What do you want to move forward before lunch?
Quarterly report. I keep avoiding it.
Totally normal. Want to do a 30-minute sprint to get the outline started? I'll turn on Focus Mode and check back in when it's up.
🔕 Focus mode activated (30m) — Quarterly report outline
⏰ Scheduled: Check-in in 30 minutes
Type a message...

Daily goals to keep you focused

Start each day by defining what success looks like, then let Daryl guide you there.

  • Set specific, achievable goals each morning
  • Daryl tracks progress and celebrates wins
  • Gentle nudges when you drift from your priorities
Daryl - Main
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
Start of day
Morning! Before we dive in — what are your top 3 goals for today? Keep them specific and achievable.
1. Finish the quarterly report outline 2. Review and approve design mockups 3. 30 min workout
Great goals. I've added them to your daily tracker. Let's start with the report outline — want a 45-minute focus sprint?
🎯 Daily goals set: Report outline, Design review, Workout
🔕 Focus mode activated (45m) — Quarterly report outline
Type a message...

Personal life management (gym habit)

Daryl remembers what you said you wanted — and helps you follow through.

  • Habit reminders tied to your goals
  • Keeps it lightweight (ask/confirm, then schedule)
  • Can start a short Focus Mode to get you out the door
Daryl - Gym
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
It's Tuesday, 5:30 PM
Hey — it's Tuesday. You told me you want gym days to be Tuesday and Thursday. Want to head out in 30 minutes for a quick session?
Yeah — let's do it.
Love it. I'll start a 30-minute "get ready" Focus Mode, then I'll nudge you to leave.
🔕 Focus mode activated (30m) — Get ready for gym
⏰ Scheduled: Leave for the gym in 30 minutes
Type a message...

Catch distractions in the moment (browser extension)

If you drift, Daryl nudges you — gently — and can block repeat offenders.

  • Detects distracting tabs while DND is active
  • Shows an overlay with a quick nudge
  • Can propose blocking a domain after repeated distractions
Daryl - Quarterly Report
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
Browser: youtube.com opened
Quick check — YouTube popped up. Is this for the report, or did we drift? If it's not for the task, want me to block it just for the next 90 minutes?
Not for the task. Block it.
🧱 Blocked: youtube.com (90m)
Type a message...

Audio transcription with smart summaries

Record meetings or voice notes — Daryl transcribes, summarizes, and creates action items.

  • Transcribes audio files up to 4 hours (Business tier)
  • Generates concise summaries highlighting key points
  • Creates actionable checklists from meeting discussions
Daryl - Main
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
Audio uploaded: team-standup.m4a (23 min)
I've transcribed your team standup. Here's the summary: **Key points:** • Sprint ends Friday, 3 tickets still in progress • Design review pushed to Thursday • Server migration scheduled for next week Want me to create todos from the action items?
Yes please
✅ Added todos: Follow up on tickets, Prep for design review, Confirm migration timeline
Type a message...

Mobile app blocking (iOS & Android)

Focus mode extends to your phone — block distracting apps when you need to concentrate.

  • Works on iOS (FamilyControls) and Android
  • Syncs with desktop focus mode
  • Choose which apps to block during focus sessions
Daryl - Main
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
Mobile: Instagram opened during focus mode
I noticed you opened Instagram while in focus mode. This app is on your block list. Want me to let it through just this once, or stay focused?
Stay focused. Block it.
📱 Instagram blocked on mobile (until focus mode ends)
Type a message...

Proactive follow-up: "You mentioned this the other day…"

Daryl can bring back something you said you cared about, at the right moment.

  • Initiates based on prior context (projects, goals, commitments)
  • Suggests a short timebox instead of a big plan
  • Starts Focus Mode + schedules a check-in
Daryl - Portfolio
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
Hey — quick nudge. You mentioned the other day you wanted to draft that portfolio case study. Want to do a 30-minute sprint right now?
Ok, yeah. Let's do 30 minutes.
Perfect. I'll start Focus Mode for 30 minutes. When it ends, I'll ask what you got done and we'll pick the next step together.
🔕 Focus mode activated (30m) — Portfolio case study
⏰ Scheduled: Check-in in 30 minutes
Type a message...

Smart reminders that keep context

Schedule reminders in plain English; Daryl remembers the 'why'.

  • Schedule from conversation context (no rigid forms)
  • Reschedule easily when plans change
  • Reminder text can include the context that matters
Daryl - Main
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
Remind me tomorrow afternoon to send the client the updated deck.
Got it — I'll remind you tomorrow afternoon to send the updated deck to the client. Any preferred time window (like 2–4pm), or should I pick 3pm?
3pm works.
⏰ Scheduled: Tomorrow 3:00 PM — Send updated deck to client
Type a message...

Rooms = separate workspaces

Keep projects isolated so conversations stay useful.

  • One room per project, each with its own context
  • Switch rooms when you change focus
  • Room-specific todos and reminders
Daryl - iOS Refactor
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
I keep saying I'll refactor the iOS app… and I never actually start.
I get it — that kind of project is easy to postpone. Want me to create a room called "iOS Refactor" so we can keep it focused, and then do a 30‑minute starter sprint?
Yes. Architecture + shipping next release.
Perfect. I'll set it up and drop a quick starting point in there.
💬 Created room: iOS Refactor
➡️ Switched room: iOS Refactor
Type a message...

Turn messy tasks into a todo list

Daryl can help break down work and track progress per room.

  • Creates actionable todos instead of vague goals
  • Prioritizes (urgent/high/normal)
  • Keeps the list tied to the room topic
Daryl - Investor Update
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
I need to prep for the investor update, can you break it down?
Yep. I'll turn that into a quick checklist. Tell me one constraint: is the deadline today or this week?
Deadline is Friday.
✅ Added todos: outline, metrics, deck polish, rehearsal
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Gmail nudges (only when it matters)

If you connect Gmail, Daryl can surface important emails without spamming you.

  • Summarizes and filters email notifications
  • Can suggest next actions (reply, schedule, add todo)
  • Keeps the inbox from hijacking your focus
Daryl - Life Admin
Main
Quarterly Report
iOS Refactor
Investor Update
Gym
Portfolio
Life Admin
New email: Subject "Need approval today" (from: Finance)
Heads up: Finance emailed "Need approval today". Want me to open it, or schedule a reminder for later?
Schedule a reminder in 30 minutes.
⏰ Scheduled: 30m — Check Finance email and approve
Type a message...