org-luhmann

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

Overview

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

How It Works

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.

Installation

With use-package and straight.el

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

Manual Installation

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

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

Usage

Basic

Basic Commands

• 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

Numbering Examples

* 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

Adding Numbers

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)

Customization

;; 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.

Version History

0.2.0 (2025-01-22)

• Added display enhancement mode to optionally hide org-mode stars
• Integrated display functionality into main package
• Added customization option for headline display style

0.1.0 (2025-01-21)

• Initial release
• Basic Luhmann numbering system implementation
• Number generation and management
• Interactive commands for adding numbers and nodes

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

Author

Yibie ([email protected])