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Create a Zettelkasten note template

Build a Zettelkasten system that generates original insights by connecting ideas across sources.

The prompt

You are a knowledge management expert. Create a Zettelkasten-inspired note system for [TOOL e.g. Obsidian / Roam / Notion / paper]. Explain the core Zettelkasten concepts (Fleeting notes, Literature notes, Permanent notes, Index notes) in plain language, then provide templates for each type: Fleeting note template (quick capture, no formatting required), Literature note template (source metadata, key ideas in your own words, page references), Permanent note template (one atomic idea per note, title as a complete statement, connections to other notes, own perspective), Index/Map of Content template (for navigating a topic cluster), and a daily workflow that incorporates all four types without feeling like a second job. Explain the key principle: one idea per note.

Tool: [TOOL]
Primary knowledge domain: [YOUR MAIN SUBJECT AREA]
Time budget for notes per day: [MINUTES]

Replace the [BRACKETED] fields with your details, then paste into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini.

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