Add native console redirection and dotted variable namespace aliases

Author: Jeetski

docs/changelog.md

@@ -1,5 +1,29 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 2026-03-09
+
+### CLI - Native Output Redirection (`>` / `>>`)
+- Added console-level post-command redirection in `modules/console.py` (no per-command changes required).
+- Supports:
+  - file targets: `today > temp/today.txt`, `today >> temp/today.txt`
+  - variable targets: `today > @out`, `today >> @out`
+- Redirection is parsed in the console after command parsing and routes captured command stdout to the selected destination.
+
+### CLI - Persistent Variable Write-Through
+- `set var status_<indicator>:<value>` now writes through to `user/current_status.yml` and re-syncs mirrored status vars.
+- Added `@location` alias for `@status_place` (read/write alias to a single canonical source).
+- Added dotted namespace aliases for readability:
+  - `@status.energy` <-> `status_energy`
+  - `@profile.nickname` <-> `nickname`
+  - `@timer.profile` <-> `timer_profile`
+- `set var nickname:<value>` now writes through to `user/profile/profile.yml`.
+- `set var timer_profile:<name>` now writes through to `user/settings/timer_settings.yml` (`default_profile`) with profile validation against `timer_profiles.yml` when available.
+
+### Tray + Timer UX
+- Tray app now shows a timer check-in popup when a schedule block reaches pending confirmation (Done / Skip Today / Later / Start Over / Stretch actions).
+- Mini panel and tray timer popup windows now apply the Chronos icon where available.
+- Added Windows timer sound fallback (`winsound`) in timer notifications when pygame mixer playback is unavailable.
+
 ## 2026-03-02
 
 ### Dashboard - Milestones Filtering and Deep-Linking

docs/dev/chs_scripting.md

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ Chronos executes `.chs` scripts with one command per line. Lines support quoted
 - Use in any command: `echo Hello @name` or `echo Hello @{name}`
 - Current status is mirrored to vars like `@status_energy`, `@status_focus`, `@status_health`
 - `@location` is an alias of `@status_place` (for example, `set var location:home`)
+- Dotted namespace aliases are supported (for readability): `@status.energy`, `@profile.nickname`, `@timer.profile`
 - Setting `status_*` vars writes through to status YAML: `set var status_energy:high`
 - `@timer_profile` mirrors timer default profile; set with `set var timer_profile:classic_pomodoro`
 - Escape a literal `@`: use `@@`
@@ -23,6 +24,19 @@ Chronos executes `.chs` scripts with one command per line. Lines support quoted
 - Quote values with spaces: `category:"deep work"`.
 - Detection rule: a token is treated as a property only if the key starts with a letter and the key contains letters, digits, or underscores. This avoids mis-parsing Windows paths like `C:\Work\file.txt` as properties.
 
+## Output Redirection
+
+Chronos console supports post-command output redirection:
+
+- `>` overwrite target
+- `>>` append target
+
+Targets:
+- file path (`today > temp/today.txt`)
+- variable (`today > @out`, `today >> @out`)
+
+This is implemented at the console routing layer, so it works for commands without requiring per-command changes.
+
 ## Conditionals: `if`
 
 Two forms are supported:

docs/documentation_overview.md

@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ today reschedule
 
 **Features**:
 - Variables: `@nickname`, `@status_energy`, `@status_focus`, `@location` (alias `@status_place`), `@timer_profile`, `@var`, `@{var}`
+- Dotted aliases are supported: `@status.energy`, `@profile.nickname`, `@timer.profile`
 - Conditionals: `if/elseif/else/end` (block and single-line)
 - Loops: `repeat`, `for`, `while` (bounded)
 - Operators: `== != > < >= <= matches` (regex)

docs/readme.md

@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@ Variables
 - Current status values are mirrored as runtime vars like `@status_energy`, `@status_focus`, `@status_health`.
 - `@location` is an alias of `@status_place` (same source, no duplicate storage).
 - Timer default profile is mirrored as `@timer_profile` (from `user/settings/timer_settings.yml`).
+- Dotted aliases are supported for readability: `@status.energy`, `@profile.nickname`, `@timer.profile`.
 - Set/read variables programmatically via `modules/variables.py` or CLI patterns.
 
 ## Dashboard

docs/reference/cli_commands.md

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ Sets properties of an item or defines a script variable.
 **Notes:**
 - `set var status_<indicator>:<value>` also updates `user/current_status.yml` (same source used by `status`).
 - `set var location:<value>` is an alias for `set var status_place:<value>`.
+- Dotted aliases are supported for readability, for example: `status.energy`, `profile.nickname`, `timer.profile`.
 - `set var timer_profile:<name>` updates `user/settings/timer_settings.yml` (`default_profile`).
 
 ### `get`
@@ -97,6 +98,21 @@ Displays the contents of an item in the terminal.
 Displays help information for a command.
 **Usage:** `help <command>`
 
+### Console Redirection
+Chronos supports console-level output redirection for any command.
+
+**Usage:**
+- `<command> > <file_path>` (overwrite file)
+- `<command> >> <file_path>` (append file)
+- `<command> > @<varname>` (overwrite variable)
+- `<command> >> @<varname>` (append variable)
+
+**Examples:**
+- `today > temp/today.txt`
+- `today >> temp/today.txt`
+- `today > @out`
+- `today >> @out`
+
 ## Scheduling & Tracking
 
 ### `today`

modules/console.py

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 import shlex
 import json
 import re
+import io
+from contextlib import redirect_stdout
 
 try:
     import yaml  # type: ignore
@@ -945,6 +947,81 @@ def _coerce_value(val: str):
     return val
 
 
+_REDIR_VAR_SIMPLE_RE = re.compile(r"^@([A-Za-z_][A-Za-z0-9_]*)$")
+_REDIR_VAR_BRACED_RE = re.compile(r"^@\{([A-Za-z_][A-Za-z0-9_]*)\}$")
+
+
+def _parse_redirection_target(raw_target: str):
+    """
+    Parse redirection target token.
+    - @name / @{name} => variable target
+    - otherwise => file path target (after variable expansion)
+    Returns: (kind, target)
+    """
+    token = str(raw_target or "").strip()
+    if not token:
+        return None, None
+    m = _REDIR_VAR_SIMPLE_RE.match(token) or _REDIR_VAR_BRACED_RE.match(token)
+    if m:
+        return "var", m.group(1)
+    # For file targets we allow variable expansion in token text.
+    return "file", Variables.expand_token(token)
+
+
+def _extract_redirection_tokens(command: str, raw_tokens: list):
+    """
+    Extract a trailing redirection from raw tokens.
+    Supported: ... > target, ... >> target
+    Returns: (tokens_without_redirection, op, target_kind, target_value)
+    """
+    if not raw_tokens:
+        return raw_tokens, None, None, None
+    op_idx = None
+    op_val = None
+    # Take the last operator so regular '>' text in args remains usable.
+    for i, tok in enumerate(raw_tokens):
+        t = str(tok).strip()
+        if t in (">", ">>"):
+            op_idx = i
+            op_val = t
+    if op_idx is None:
+        return raw_tokens, None, None, None
+    if op_idx + 1 >= len(raw_tokens):
+        print("❌ Redirection target missing after > or >>.")
+        return raw_tokens[:op_idx], None, None, None
+    target_raw = str(raw_tokens[op_idx + 1] or "").strip()
+    kind, target = _parse_redirection_target(target_raw)
+    if not kind or not target:
+        print("❌ Invalid redirection target.")
+        return raw_tokens[:op_idx], None, None, None
+    # Ignore any extra tokens after target to keep behavior deterministic.
+    return raw_tokens[:op_idx], op_val, kind, target
+
+
+def _route_command_output(op: str, target_kind: str, target_value: str, output_text: str):
+    """
+    Route captured command stdout according to redirection.
+    """
+    text = str(output_text or "")
+    if target_kind == "var":
+        var_name = str(target_value).strip()
+        if op == ">>":
+            prev = Variables.get_var(var_name, "")
+            Variables.set_var(var_name, f"{prev}{text}")
+        else:
+            Variables.set_var(var_name, text)
+        return
+
+    # File target
+    path = str(target_value).strip()
+    if not os.path.isabs(path):
+        path = os.path.join(ROOT_DIR, path)
+    os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(path) or ROOT_DIR, exist_ok=True)
+    mode = "a" if op == ">>" else "w"
+    with open(path, mode, encoding="utf-8") as fh:
+        fh.write(text)
+
+
 def parse_input(input_parts):
     command = None
     args = []
@@ -961,11 +1038,19 @@ def parse_input(input_parts):
         args = raw
         return command, args, properties
 
+    # Parse redirection before variable expansion so `@var` targets are kept
+    # as variable references instead of being expanded to values.
+    raw, redir_op, redir_kind, redir_target = _extract_redirection_tokens(command, raw)
+
     # Expand variables in all tokens first
-    parts = Variables.expand_list(input_parts)
+    parts = Variables.expand_list([command] + raw)
 
     command = parts[0]
     raw = parts[1:]
+    if redir_op:
+        properties["__redir_op"] = redir_op
+        properties["__redir_kind"] = redir_kind
+        properties["__redir_target"] = redir_target
 
     # Special-case: keep raw args to allow colon syntax
     if command.lower() == 'set' and raw and str(raw[0]).lower() == 'var':
@@ -993,35 +1078,52 @@ def parse_input(input_parts):
 def run_command(command_name, args, properties):
     command_name = resolve_command_alias(command_name)
     try:
+        props_local = dict(properties or {})
+        redir_op = props_local.pop("__redir_op", None)
+        redir_kind = props_local.pop("__redir_kind", None)
+        redir_target = props_local.pop("__redir_target", None)
         suppress = False
         try:
             if os.environ.get("CHRONOS_SUPPRESS_MACROS"):
                 suppress = True
-            if str((properties or {}).get("no_macros")).lower() in ("1", "true", "yes"):
+            if str((props_local or {}).get("no_macros")).lower() in ("1", "true", "yes"):
                 suppress = True
         except Exception:
             pass
         if not suppress:
             try:
                 from modules import macro_engine
-                MacroEngine.run_before(command_name, args, properties)
+                MacroEngine.run_before(command_name, args, props_local)
             except Exception:
                 pass
-        run_command_core(command_name, args, properties)
+        if redir_op in (">", ">>") and redir_kind in ("var", "file") and redir_target:
+            capture = io.StringIO()
+            with redirect_stdout(capture):
+                run_command_core(command_name, args, props_local)
+            try:
+                _route_command_output(redir_op, redir_kind, redir_target, capture.getvalue())
+            except Exception as e:
+                print(f"❌ Redirection failed: {e}")
+                # Fallback: print captured output so it isn't lost.
+                out = capture.getvalue()
+                if out:
+                    print(out, end="" if out.endswith("\n") else "\n")
+        else:
+            run_command_core(command_name, args, props_local)
         try:
             from modules.achievement import evaluator as AchievementEvaluator  # type: ignore
             AchievementEvaluator.emit_event("command_executed", {
                 "command": str(command_name or "").lower(),
                 "args": list(args or []),
-                "properties": dict(properties or {}),
+                "properties": dict(props_local or {}),
             })
         except Exception:
             pass
     finally:
         try:
             if not suppress:
                 from modules import macro_engine
-                MacroEngine.run_after(command_name, args, properties, {"ok": True})
+                MacroEngine.run_after(command_name, args, props_local, {"ok": True})
         except Exception:
             pass
 

modules/variables.py

@@ -5,14 +5,21 @@
 _STATUS_MANAGED = set()
 _ALIASES = {
     "location": "status_place",
+    "profile.nickname": "nickname",
+    "timer.profile": "timer_profile",
 }
 
 
 def canonical_var_name(name: str) -> str:
     raw = str(name or "").strip()
     if not raw:
         return raw
-    mapped = _ALIASES.get(raw.lower())
+    low = raw.lower()
+    # Namespace illusion: map dotted status keys to canonical flat keys.
+    if low.startswith("status.") and len(raw) > len("status."):
+        tail = raw[len("status."):]
+        return f"status_{_status_slug(tail)}"
+    mapped = _ALIASES.get(low)
     return mapped if mapped else raw
 
 
@@ -61,9 +68,10 @@ def sync_status_vars(status_map):
     _STATUS_MANAGED = next_managed
 
 
-_re_braced = re.compile(r"@\{([A-Za-z_][A-Za-z0-9_]*)\}")
+_VAR_TOKEN = r"[A-Za-z_][A-Za-z0-9_]*(?:\.[A-Za-z_][A-Za-z0-9_]*)*"
+_re_braced = re.compile(rf"@\{{({_VAR_TOKEN})\}}")
 # Only expand @var when not preceded by a word char to avoid emails/usernames
-_re_simple = re.compile(r"(?<![A-Za-z0-9_])@([A-Za-z_][A-Za-z0-9_]*)")
+_re_simple = re.compile(rf"(?<![A-Za-z0-9_])@({_VAR_TOKEN})")
 
 
 def _replace_match(match):

tests/test_variables.py

@@ -55,5 +55,23 @@ def test_location_alias_maps_to_status_place(self):
         self.assertEqual(Variables.get_var("status_place"), "office")
         self.assertEqual(Variables.get_var("location"), "office")
 
+    def test_dotted_status_namespace_alias_maps_to_flat(self):
+        Variables.set_var("status.energy", "high")
+        self.assertEqual(Variables.get_var("status_energy"), "high")
+        self.assertEqual(Variables.get_var("status.energy"), "high")
+
+    def test_dotted_profile_and_timer_aliases(self):
+        Variables.set_var("profile.nickname", "Alice")
+        Variables.set_var("timer.profile", "classic_pomodoro")
+        self.assertEqual(Variables.get_var("nickname"), "Alice")
+        self.assertEqual(Variables.get_var("timer_profile"), "classic_pomodoro")
+        self.assertEqual(Variables.get_var("profile.nickname"), "Alice")
+        self.assertEqual(Variables.get_var("timer.profile"), "classic_pomodoro")
+
+    def test_expansion_dotted_tokens(self):
+        Variables.set_var("status.energy", "low")
+        text = "Energy is @status.energy and braced @{status.energy}"
+        self.assertEqual(Variables.expand_token(text), "Energy is low and braced low")
+
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     unittest.main()