Who this is for
Makers, woodworkers, tinkerers, and weekend builders mid-way through a long project who learn something they'll absolutely forget by the next session.
The moment this saves you
I'm halfway through a build, hands too dirty to type, and I learn the exact gotcha I will absolutely forget by next weekend, so the next session repeats the same mistake from scratch.
See it work
Messy spoken thought in. A clean, structured artifact out.
On the walnut bookshelf, the stain needed two coats not one to get the color even, one coat looked blotchy. The pocket holes on the bottom shelf split the wood so next time I've gotta pre-drill those. Got the frame and shelves assembled and stained today. Next session I need to sand the top and attach the back panel.
Project: Walnut bookshelf
- Learned: stain needs 2 coats for even color (1 coat went blotchy)
- Gotcha: pocket holes split the wood, pre-drill next time
- Done so far: frame and shelves assembled and stained
- Next session: sand the top; attach the back panel
The workflow
Record a voice note
Hit the hotkey and talk, no formatting, no typing.
Tag it with this context
Contextli shapes your words into the structured output above.
Find it later
Everything's searchable and organised by context.
Pull it into Claude or ChatGPT
Bring your contexts straight into your AI tools with the Contextli MCP.
Your raw recording and transcription stay on your device, so you can always go back to the original.
The prompt behind this context
I'm going to talk through where I'm at on a hands-on project. Turn it into a project log entry. Output a bold Project name, then bullets for: Learned (what worked or what I figured out), Gotcha (mistakes or things to avoid next time, only if I mentioned any), Done so far (what I completed this session), and Next session (the tasks I want to pick up next). Keep my real measurements, materials, and quantities exactly as I said them. Never invent steps, tools, or measurements I didn't mention. If I talk about more than one project, output one block per project. Output only the log entry, no preamble.
Make it your own. This is a starting point. Once it's in Contextli, tweak the instructions so the output comes out exactly how you like it.
Use this context
One click copies it and shows you exactly how to drop it into Contextli.
Next, open Contextli, go to the Contexts page, click Import, choose From JSON, paste, then Import Context. It is ready to use.
Make it your own. This is a starting point. Once it's in Contextli, tweak the instructions so the output comes out exactly how you like it.
Your raw recording and transcription stay on your device, so you can always go back to the original.
Related contexts
Home Maintenance Log
You spot the leaky faucet or notice the filter's due and tell yourself you'll deal with it, then don't. Say what needs doing and when you last did it. You build a running home log, so the gutter clean and the boiler service stop sneaking up as expensive surprises.
Garden Log
You plant things, they thrive or die, and next season you forget what you did differently. Out in the garden, just say what you planted, watered, or noticed. You build a season-by-season record, so the garden gets better instead of repeating mistakes.
Recipe Experiment Note
You riff on a recipe, it comes out amazing, and next time you can't remember what you changed. Mid-cook or right after, say what you did differently and how it turned out. You build your own cookbook of what actually works, in your kitchen, with your taste.
Questions people ask
Questions hobbyists ask about DIY Project Log
What is the best way for a hobbyist to capture field notes on-site without a clipboard?
Speak your observations into Contextli immediately after the walkthrough or site visit, while the details are sharp. The DIY Project Log context structures your spoken description of the site into a field note with the key fields. You have a structured record before you get back to your vehicle.
How do I take field notes hands-free while walking a site?
Add the DIY Project Log context to Contextli, then speak your observations as you walk. Because you are speaking rather than typing, your hands are free and you can look at what you are describing. The context formats your words into a field note when you finish.
What should a field note include to be useful later?
It should include the date, the site address or identifier, the specific observations made with location references, any issues found and their severity, and the recommended next steps. The DIY Project Log context captures all of these from your spoken walkthrough.
How do I share field notes with a client or team quickly after a site visit?
After dictating your observations using the DIY Project Log context, copy the structured field note and paste it into an email, a client portal, or a project tool. The output is plain text that reads cleanly without any special formatting.
How do I add this context to Contextli?
Copy the context on this page, then open Contextli and go to the Contexts page. Click Import, choose From JSON, paste it into the Import from Clipboard window, and click Import Context. It is ready to use in under 30 seconds. If you do not have Contextli yet, you can download it for free first.
Is my voice recording private? Does Contextli send it anywhere?
Your voice recording and the transcription are stored on your device only. Contextli processes your audio locally and does not send your recordings or transcription text to any server. The structured output it produces is text you control, and you decide where it goes.
Can I change what the output looks like?
Yes. Every context in Contextli is a starting point you can edit. Open the context in the app, change the instructions to adjust the structure, tone, or fields, and save. The next time you use it, the output reflects your changes. You are not locked into the default format.
Do I need to install an app to use this context?
Yes. Contextli is a free app. Download it, then copy this context and paste it into the Import from Clipboard window on the Contexts page. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.