Protocol

The Augmented Operator

You are already a cyborg. The question is whether the machine is disciplined. Build a controlled toolchain: reduce triggers, install defaults, and ship on cadence.

See the systems
The Augmented Operator

Does this sound familiar?

  • Your tools feel like a slot machine: pings, tabs, and context switching
  • You collect notes but can’t convert them into drafts
  • You keep changing apps instead of installing a stable process
  • You finish days with activity and no finished artifacts
  • You can’t downshift because the input stream never closes
Old Way
  • Treat every ping as a priority
  • Run multiple surfaces and rebuild context constantly
  • Use “research” as avoidance
  • Renegotiate the same decisions every day
New Way
  • Constrain inputs with defaults and friction
  • Operate from one primary surface
  • Define the next action and the done condition
  • Ship small artifacts on a cadence
Myth

Common Myth

I just need more willpower to use my tools better.

Mechanism

The 5 Cyborg Systems

Click a system to explore its habits

Sensor Hygiene

Sensor Hygiene

Reduce triggers and background scanning. Make input intentional.

Toolchain Architecture

Toolchain Architecture

Build stable surfaces: capture, storage, shortcuts, and a session boot sequence.

Decision Automation

Decision Automation

Replace renegotiation with defaults: triage scripts, if-then rules, scheduled windows.

Output Amplification

Output Amplification

Convert notes to drafts. Define done. Ship artifacts that create feedback loops.

Recovery Calibration

Recovery Calibration

Downshift and close loops so the nervous system stands down and focus stays cheap.

Getting Started

Step01

Phase 1: Lock the sensors

Kill non-human notifications and remove reachability. You’re building a quiet instrument panel.

Step02

Phase 2: Install the surfaces

One primary surface and one capture inbox. Retrieval becomes automatic.

Step03

Phase 3: Automate the decisions

Next actions, message windows, and triage scripts. No renegotiation.

Step04

Phase 4: Convert to output

Proof-of-work, done conditions, and a draft queue. Shipping becomes mechanical.

Step05

Phase 5: Calibrate recovery

Close loops and downshift so you don’t use checking as relief.

Step06

Jump to the deck

Filter by tier or pick a playbook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Protocol Playbooks

Curated sequences of habits designed to be practiced together. Click a playbook to see its cards in the deck below.

One-Click Focus Entry
4 cards

One-Click Focus Entry

Enter a controlled work state in under 2 minutes: sensors quiet, surface staged, timer running.

Put Your Phone Out of Reach
Close Your Inbox Surfaces
Standardize Your Session Start

+1 more habits

Inbox to Execution
4 cards

Inbox to Execution

Process inputs into next actions so your brain stops scanning and you resume work fast.

Install a Two-Window Message Schedule
Create a Default Triage Script
Write the Next Action

+1 more habits

Shipping Loop Install
4 cards

Shipping Loop Install

Convert capture into drafts and ship a small artifact on cadence.

Convert Notes into a Draft Queue
Define the Done Condition
Ship a Daily Proof-of-Work

+1 more habits

Scroll Spiral Recovery
4 cards

Scroll Spiral Recovery

A mechanical reset after you catch yourself in autopilot checking.

Run a 60-Second Input Fast
Recover from a Scroll Spiral Without Negotiation
Write the Next Action

+1 more habits

Quests

Challenges to accelerate your transformation. Click a quest to see its target cards.

Initiation

Protocol Initialization

Establish baseline signal-to-noise control by silencing notifications, clearing surfaces, and standardizing your session entry sequence.

"Operator here. The first step to augmentation is reclaiming your hardware. Let's purge the noise and calibrate your sensors."

FOUNDATION tier streak for 7 days
7 cards
View Quest Cards
System Mastery

The Shipping Engine

Convert raw capture into high-signal drafts and ship unpolished artifacts daily to maximize your creative throughput.

"Ideas are cheap. Shipping is the only metric that matters. Calibrate your output engine for maximum delivery speed."

Complete Output Amplification system
7 cards
View Quest Cards
Titan Trial

The Deep Void Sprint

Achieve total input-zero for four hours to complete a high-stakes deliverable without external interference or pings.

"The ultimate test of an Operator: four hours of pure execution. No pings, no searches, no negotiation. Just the work."

1 TITAN tier habits
1 cards
View Quest Cards

The Full Deck

32 habits across 5 core systems

Systems:
Playbooks:
Silence Non-Human Notificationsfoundation

Silence Non-Human Notifications

Calls and texts from key people only; zero badges or sounds for social, news, or shopping apps.
⏱ 2m⚡ tactical
Sensor Hygiene
Put Your Phone Out of Reachfoundation

Put Your Phone Out of Reach

Drawer, bag, or another room; out of arm's reach for the entire focus block.
⏱ 30s⚡ tactical
Sensor Hygiene
Close Your Inbox Surfacesfoundation

Close Your Inbox Surfaces

Zero visible browser tabs for Email, Slack, or Discord during focus blocks.
⏱ 20s⚡ tactical
Sensor Hygiene
Switch to Fullscreen Workfoundation

Switch to Fullscreen Work

One visible app in fullscreen; dock and sidebars hidden; one scratchpad for 'later' items.
⏱ 10s⚡ tactical
Sensor Hygiene
Run a 60-Second Input Fastfoundation

Run a 60-Second Input Fast

60 seconds with hands off all devices; one slow exhale; next action written before resuming.
⏱ 60s⚡ tactical
Sensor Hygiene
Define Your Primary Surfacefoundation

Define Your Primary Surface

One surface (IDE, doc, or notes app) with daily targets and active task links pinned.
⏱ 5m⚡ mental
Toolchain Architecture
Create a Single Capture Inboxfoundation

Create a Single Capture Inbox

One tool only (notes doc or todo inbox); pinned with a hotkey or widget for instant access.
⏱ 3m⚡ tactical
Toolchain Architecture
Name Three Default Foldersfoundation

Name Three Default Folders

Three folders: INBOX → ACTIVE → ARCHIVE; all work flows through this pipeline.
⏱ 5m⚡ tactical
Toolchain Architecture
Standardize Your Session Startfoundation

Standardize Your Session Start

Same sequence every session: primary surface → active task → inboxes closed → timer started.
⏱ 90s⚡ tactical
Toolchain Architecture
Pin Your Toolchain Shortcutsfoundation

Pin Your Toolchain Shortcuts

Four pinned shortcuts: capture inbox, current project, calendar, and one reference hub.
⏱ 4m⚡ tactical
Toolchain Architecture
Write the Next Actiongrowth

Write the Next Action

Format: '<verb> <object> <location>'; execute for 2 minutes before any task switch.
⏱ 30s⚡ mental
Decision Automation
Install a Two-Window Message Schedulegrowth

Install a Two-Window Message Schedule

Two calendar-blocked windows per day; DND enabled for all hours outside those windows.
⏱ 10m⚡ tactical
Decision Automation
Create a Default Triage Scriptgrowth

Create a Default Triage Script

Four outcomes only: delete, delegate, defer (with date), or next action defined.
⏱ 7m⚡ mental
Decision Automation
Write Three If-Then Rulesgrowth

Write Three If-Then Rules

Three rules in 'If <trigger>, then <action>' format; posted visibly on primary surface.
⏱ 10m⚡ mental
Decision Automation
Batch Research into One Blockgrowth

Batch Research into One Block

One 30-minute weekly block for research; outside it, questions captured but not pursued.
⏱ 30m⚡ tactical
Decision Automation
Ship a Daily Proof-of-Workgrowth

Ship a Daily Proof-of-Work

One unpolished artifact per session: screenshot, link, commit, paragraph, or metric.
⏱ 2m⚡ tactical
Output Amplification
Define the Done Conditiongrowth

Define the Done Condition

Three acceptance bullets written before starting; ship the moment all three are true.
⏱ 90s⚡ mental
Output Amplification
Convert Notes into a Draft Queuegrowth

Convert Notes into a Draft Queue

Five notes maximum; each with a title and one 'next paragraph' bullet; moved to ACTIVE folder.
⏱ 15m⚡ tactical
Output Amplification
Create a Reusable Templategrowth

Create a Reusable Template

Last good output converted to template with placeholders and a pre-ship checklist.
⏱ 20m⚡ tactical
Output Amplification
Draft Ten Titlesgrowth

Draft Ten Titles

Ten options minimum; select the clearest signal; delete all clever or cute alternatives.
⏱ 10m⚡ mental
Output Amplification
Execute a 45-Minute No-Input Blockmastery

Execute a 45-Minute No-Input Block

Airplane mode on; single task only; questions captured in scratchpad for later.
⏱ 45m⚡ tactical
Sensor Hygiene
Build a One-Click Work Modemastery

Build a One-Click Work Mode

One-click activation; VIP humans allowlisted; all distracting apps and badges blocked.
⏱ 15m⚡ tactical
Toolchain Architecture
Run a Weekly Toolchain Cleanupmastery

Run a Weekly Toolchain Cleanup

Unused tabs closed; old notes archived; dead shortcuts deleted; only ACTIVE folder visible.
⏱ 20m⚡ tactical
Toolchain Architecture
Run a Weekly Attention Auditmastery

Run a Weekly Attention Audit

Top 5 distractions listed with trigger, reward, and one environmental fix for each.
⏱ 30m⚡ mental
Decision Automation
Run a Weekly Shipping Reviewmastery

Run a Weekly Shipping Review

Shipped items and traction reviewed; one repeat selected; one new experiment chosen.
⏱ 30m⚡ mental
Output Amplification
Execute a 45-Minute Recovery Circuitmastery

Execute a 45-Minute Recovery Circuit

Phone out of reach; 10m walk → 10m stretch → 10m paper reading → 5m planning → 10m wind-down.
⏱ 45m⚡ tactical
Recovery Calibration
Protect a Screen-Off Rampmastery

Protect a Screen-Off Ramp

15 minutes before bed; screens off; lights dimmed; tomorrow's workspace prepped; paper or stretching only.
⏱ 15m⚡ tactical
Recovery Calibration
Write a Shutdown Notemastery

Write a Shutdown Note

Three items captured: what shipped today, tomorrow's first next action, one risk to watch.
⏱ 90s⚡ mental
Recovery Calibration
Execute a 4-Hour Airplane Mode Sprinttitan

Execute a 4-Hour Airplane Mode Sprint

4 hours with inputs fully blocked; water/food prepped; stakeholders informed; 50/10 work cycles.
⏱ 4h⚡ tactical
Sensor Hygiene
Ship a Deliverable Without New Inputstitan

Ship a Deliverable Without New Inputs

Browser and new sources prohibited; existing notes only; real deliverable shipped by block end.
⏱ 2h⚡ mental
Decision Automation
Publish Before You Feel Readytitan

Publish Before You Feel Ready

30-minute hard cap; clarity over polish; learnings captured in review after shipping.
⏱ 30m⚡ mental
Output Amplification
Recover from a Scroll Spiral Without Negotiationtitan

Recover from a Scroll Spiral Without Negotiation

Phone away immediately; 10-minute walk; next action written; 15-minute focus cycle started.
⏱ 20m⚡ tactical
Recovery Calibration

Sources & References

External reading that informed this stack.

5 links

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