Inspiration Chats with Claude start from a blank slate. Pocket Reminders was created to add a small persistent queue that Claude can write to and read from, allowing users to capture tasks in one conversation and surface them in the next. To make it even more accessible, we added an Alexa skill so users can also manage reminders hands-free on any Echo device or the Alexa app. What It Does Pocket Reminders provides a dual-interface to-do list: Claude (via MCP): Lets Claude save, list, complete, delete, export reminders to Markdown notes, and clear old items using local storage (~/.claude_reminders.json). Alexa Skill: Enables users to say "Alexa, open Pocket Reminders" and use voice commands to add reminders with priorities (high, normal, low), list active items, complete or delete tasks by number, and clear finished items. How We Built It Claude MCP Server (src/index.ts): Built with TypeScript and Node.js, implementing Model Context Protocol tools (remind_me, check_reminders, complete_reminder, delete_reminder, move_to_notes, clear_old_reminders, help). Alexa Skill (alexa.js): Developed as a single-file Node.js custom skill running on Alexa-Hosted AWS Lambda, utilizing the Ask SDK Core and ask-sdk-s3-persistence-adapter for persistent storage in Amazon S3.
What We Learned Through building Pocket Reminders, we learned how to integrate AI assistants with external tools using the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and how to build voice-controlled applications using the Alexa Skills Kit. We gained hands-on experience with Node.js, TypeScript, AWS Lambda, and Amazon S3 for backend development and persistent data storage. We also learned the importance of designing reliable reminder management systems, handling natural language commands, managing user data across different platforms, and maintaining consistent task states. This project helped us understand how local AI integrations and cloud-based voice assistants can work independently to create a more accessible and convenient productivity experience.
Challenges We Ran Into Keeping the local Claude storage and cloud-based Alexa storage separate by design, and mapping natural language synonyms (e.g., urgent, critical → high) and spoken positional numbers (reminder 2) accurately into structured state management across both asynchronous environments.
What's Next for Pocket Reminders? Our next goal is to make Pocket Reminders smarter, more connected, and more personalized. We plan to introduce cross-platform synchronization between Claude and Alexa, ensuring users can access their reminders seamlessly across both platforms. We also aim to add smart reminders based on deadlines, recurring tasks, and personalized priority suggestions. In the future, we envision integrating calendar applications, sending proactive notifications, and introducing multilingual voice support to make task management even more accessible. Our ultimate goal is to transform Pocket Reminders into a simple, intelligent productivity companion that helps users stay organized without adding complexity to their daily lives.