[RehnoLindeque]

Since you're already keeping a text file, have you considered using nix (the package manager) to declare all your software packages?

If you don't want a package cluttering up your system, but also don't want to forget about its existence you can just comment it out.

[betwixthewires]

No, I haven't. I know there's package managers that help you keep track of what's installed, and tools that help you easily see what you've done. I just find putting a line in a text file with what I did right after I did it is less convoluted and doesn't really add to what I have to do. Automating it sounds nice in theory but actually doing it is messy and convoluted in practice.

A usual line for an install is the package name, the package type (flatpak, appimage, tarball, AUR, deb, etc) and a description of what the package is. Not much longer than the command I typed in to install.

I also keep notes on changes to the system, services created, paths changed, firewall rules, detailed notes on big things and stuff like that. Any time I run into something weird I reference it and make sure it's not something I did before I go hunting for a solution.

[oso2k]

Maybe script(1) would helpful to you? [0]

[0] https://linux.die.net/man/1/script