Whenever there's an Emacs thread I feel really bad like an impostor, because I'm using Emacs daily for work and hobby for the past 15 years now and still only use only 5 to 10 functions regularly. Heck, I can't even remember the keyboard combo for getting help about a mode. When I have to install a new package, I use Melpa and copy&paste init code for the .emacs file from the web. If it doesn't work or breaks, I usually just use another package because it's too hard to fix the error. My .emacs file is a total mess and I have no idea what 50% of the code in it is doing. Do I need it or should I comment it out? I don't know.
Two years ago I tried to start using org mode and bought the printed org mode book but it just turned out to be too complicated and too much time to adapt all the publishing settings for me to be of any use.
For a while I used a Bibtex tool which was weird to use, and now I'm using KBibtex again.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that Emacs is a great editor but I wish someone made an AI-powered assistant called "clippy" for it that makes suggestions for commands one might use when working in Emacs. I just can't remember all those keyboard shortcuts for every mode.
I felt the same way for a long time. And then I've started doing one very simple thing. I've created tasks.org file, and whenever I find some use-case, something I don't know how to do or even not sure if that's possible - I would just add an item to that file. Then I would ask questions - on emacs.stackexchange, on r/emacs, in slack channels, in mailing-lists, etc. Slowly, I have started using other Org-mode features. I started writing my own emacs-lisp snippets. Even though I still haven't mastered Emacs, today, I share Emacs tips with my colleagues and other people. If I may suggest - don't try to "boil the ocean." Emacs is huge. Nobody truly masters every aspect of it. Just do it slowly. Start with a simple list.
Look into Spacemacs - it addresses a lot of what you want.
It understands file extensions and automatically downloads curated sets of packages for what you're editing (no more arcane copying and pasting)
The key bindings are set up so that pressing the first part of a key chord brings up all the things the next part of the key chord could be in the mini buffer
Sounds like the package which-key [1] might help you out. (It comes pre-configured for those who use Doom Emacs, but I was using it in my personal config for awhile.). From the about: which-key is a minor mode for Emacs that displays the key bindings following your currently entered incomplete command (a prefix) in a popup.
Yeah, I firmly believe more software should be built on top of emacs to leverage its power and expressiveness behind a dicoverable interface for people who are too busy or have a life.
Two years ago I tried to start using org mode and bought the printed org mode book but it just turned out to be too complicated and too much time to adapt all the publishing settings for me to be of any use.
For a while I used a Bibtex tool which was weird to use, and now I'm using KBibtex again.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that Emacs is a great editor but I wish someone made an AI-powered assistant called "clippy" for it that makes suggestions for commands one might use when working in Emacs. I just can't remember all those keyboard shortcuts for every mode.