u/DisastrousPatience83

Hi, I’ve been building a minimal writing tool inspired by devices like the Pomera.

Right now it runs on PC, but I’m exploring whether something like this could work with KOReader or similar e-readers (Kindle/Kobo), aiming for a distraction-free writing experience.

Here’s what it currently offers:

• Clean, fast interface focused on writing
• Automatic saving of text and session data
• Writing goals (time or word count)
• Live word counter and WPM tracking
• Session timer and real-time clock
• Simple customization (fonts, themes)
• Built-in notes system
• Export as plain text
• QR code to move text to phone
• Fullscreen mode
• Options to clear text or reset data

Themes include: pure white, OLED black, and a few retro styles.

Before going further, I’d really appreciate your thoughts. If this project is interesting to you, I’d love to hear any ideas, suggestions, or changes you think would improve it. whether that means adding, removing, or adjusting features.

Also, do you think something like this could work within KOReader, or are there limitations I should consider for e-readers?

Thanks for any feedback.

https://preview.redd.it/yous4ixlagwg1.png?width=1355&format=png&auto=webp&s=f96df77f79d49f6bf3249bcaf7df7825151bc7f8

https://preview.redd.it/2hg9pwpmagwg1.png?width=1360&format=png&auto=webp&s=5b9f77b6f044550b03bd795dac09088b783ea3f4

Hi everyone, I’m trying to build an iOS Shortcut for reading tracking and note-taking, but I’m struggling to structure it properly. I’ll explain the full idea clearly:

I want the shortcut to show two main options when I run it:

1. Reading Calculator

This option should work like a reading planner.

Inputs (order doesn’t matter):

Start date

End date

Total number of pages in the book

Current page (if starting, this would be 0)

What I want it to do:

Calculate how many days I have between the start and end date

Calculate how many pages I have left

Tell me how many pages I need to read per day to finish on time

(Optional but ideal):

Show a simple summary like:

“You need to read X pages per day to finish by [date]”

2. Notes System (Books)

This is the part I really want to get right.

When I select this option:

It should pull only notes from a folder called “Libros” in Apple Notes

Show me a list of existing books (just the titles)

If there are no notes:

It should always show an option like:

“Add new book”

Creating a new book:

When I select “Add new book”:

Ask for:

Book title

Author

Automatically create a new note inside the “Libros” folder

The note title could be something like:

“Book Title – Author”

Adding notes (important requirement)

When I open an existing book:

I want to add new notes (thoughts, reflections, etc.)

BUT:

It should never overwrite previous content

It should always append new text to the existing note

Example behavior:

I write notes now → saved

I come back 3 hours later → add more → appended below

The note becomes a continuous log

I’m building a shortcut and I’m trying to solve two specific things.

First, how do I calculate pages per day between two dates?

- Input: total pages, current page, start date, end date

- I want to calculate:

- Remaining pages

- Number of days (including start and end date)

- Pages per day

I’m not sure what’s the best way to calculate the number of days between two dates inside Shortcuts and include both dates correctly.

Second, I’m working with Apple Notes and I want to:

- Get all notes from a specific folder (“Libros”)

- Show them in a list to select one

- Append text to the selected note without overwriting content

Also optionally:

- Create a new note (title: “Book Name – Author”)

- Then append text to it

If anyone knows the best way to handle date calculations and note selection/appending in Shortcuts, I’d really appreciate the help.

Thanks!

I’m trying to build a shortcut in the Shortcuts app and I’m running into some limitations. I’d appreciate guidance on how to implement this properly.

I want to work specifically with Apple Notes and a folder I already have called “Libros”.

My main goal is:

1. Get all notes inside a specific folder (“Libros”)

2. Display them as a selectable list

3. Let me choose one note

4. Append text to that selected note without overwriting existing content

Additionally, I want to include an option to create a new note in that same folder, with a title formatted as “Book Name – Author”, and then append text to it right after creating it.

I’m aware that Shortcuts has limitations when interacting with Apple Notes (especially when filtering by folder and editing content), so I’m not sure what the best approach is.

Is it possible to:

- Filter notes by folder reliably?

- Present them in a list for selection?

- Append text cleanly to an existing note?

If there are workarounds or recommended structures (for example using variables, tags, or naming conventions), I’d really appreciate any guidance.

Thanks!

I’m trying to build a practical shortcut in iOS Shortcuts and I’d really appreciate help structuring it properly.

I want the shortcut to have two main features. First, a reading plan calculator. It should ask for the total number of pages, the current page, the start date, and the end date. Then it should calculate how many pages are left, how many days there are (including both start and end dates), and how many pages I need to read per day. It’s fine if this result is only shown on screen and not saved.

The second feature is a notes system based on Apple Notes. I already have a folder called “Libros”, and everything must stay inside that folder only.

When I choose the option to add notes, the shortcut should first let me choose between selecting an existing book or creating a new one. If I select an existing book, it should show me a list of all notes inside the “Libros” folder, allow me to pick one, and then let me add text such as thoughts, reviews, quotes, or observations. The text should always be appended and never overwrite existing content.

If I choose to create a new book, it should ask for the book name and author, create a new note inside the “Libros” folder with the title formatted as “Book Name – Author”, and then immediately allow me to start adding notes to it.

It’s important that the shortcut only uses the “Libros” folder, does not create new folders, does not overwrite content, and keeps the formatting clean when appending text.

I understand there may be limitations when working with Apple Notes and Shortcuts, so I’m open to workarounds if needed.

Any help, ideas, or step-by-step guidance would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!