flowing-abyss Obsidian Notes
Create regular knowledge notes in base/notes/ — the primary location for knowledge capture.
Syntax validation: Use obsidian-markdown skill for markdown syntax rules (wikilinks, callouts, footnotes, LaTeX, mermaid, etc.)
Filename Rules
CRITICAL: Follow all naming conventions strictly.
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Uniqueness | Each filename must be unique across the entire vault |
| Specificity | Avoid abstractions; use precise, concrete terms |
| Case | Lowercase only. Exception: proper nouns (e.g., Zettelkasten, Python) |
| Structure | Nouns or stable noun phrases only |
| Forbidden | No dates, numbers, questions, or pronouns |
| Compatibility | Use only filesystem-safe characters |
Examples
| Correct | Incorrect | Reason |
|---|---|---|
spaced repetition.md |
Spaced Repetition.md |
Lowercase (not a proper noun) |
Zettelkasten method.md |
zettelkasten method.md |
Zettelkasten is a proper noun (Luhmann's system) |
Python decorator.md |
python decorator.md |
Python is a proper noun |
knowledge graph.md |
how does knowledge graph work.md |
No questions |
sorting algorithm.md |
my sorting algorithm.md |
No pronouns |
binary search.md |
binary search 1.md |
No numbers |
Category Validation
CRITICAL: Only use EXISTING categories. Categories are human-created and managed.
Finding Valid Categories
Before assigning a category tag, discover existing categories:
| Field | Location | Glob Pattern |
|---|---|---|
category |
base/categories/ |
base/categories/*.md |
Workflow
- Discover existing categories — use either:
obsidian files folder=base/categories ext=md(CLI, cross-platform)- Glob pattern:
base/categories/*.md(Claude built-in Glob tool)
- Match by relevance — choose the most appropriate existing category for the note's topic
- If no match exists — omit the category tag or ask user; NEVER invent categories
- Category tag format —
category/<folder_name>where<folder_name>matches the category note filename (without.md)
Frontmatter Template
---
tags:
- note/basic/primary
- category/<existing_category> # Optional — only if relevant category exists
aliases: []
created: 2025-08-10T23:25:33+07:00
updated: 2025-08-10T23:25:33+07:00
---
Frontmatter Rules
- Date format: ISO 8601 with timezone offset (
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ssZ) - Required tag: One of the note type tags (see below)
- Optional tag:
category/<name>— only if category exists (replace spaces with_in category name)
Tag Taxonomy
Fetch current valid note type tags from manifests:
obsidian eval code="app.vault.getMarkdownFiles().filter(f=>f.path.startsWith('templates/create/notes')&&f.basename==='manifest').map(f=>{const m=(app.metadataCache.getFileCache(f)?.frontmatter?.target?.query||'').match(/#([\w/-]+)/);return m&&m[1].includes('/')?m[1]:null}).filter(Boolean).sort().join(', ')"
Additionally: category/<name> — assign to existing category (validate first!).
Content Principles
- Self-contained: Note should be understandable without extra context
- Atomic: One idea per note
- Source references: Use footnotes for URLs and citations
Visual Emphasis
In this vault, **bold** renders red and *italic* renders green, so both create strong color contrast. Treat them as semantic signals, not decoration:
- Keep plain text as the default. Emphasize only what materially helps the reader find the main conclusion, distinction, warning, or action.
- Use bold for the strongest focal point, usually no more than one short fragment in a compact paragraph or list item. Do not bold whole paragraphs or restyle headings inside their text.
- Use italics for a local nuance, contrast, term, or brief aside. Do not alternate bold and italics merely to create rhythm.
- Avoid combined
***bold italic***, underlining, and several competing colored fragments in the same sentence unless the notation itself requires them. - Before saving, scan the note at a glance. If several accents compete for attention, remove formatting until the intended reading hierarchy is immediately clear.
Overloaded: **Threshold detects the signal**, *Strength controls the amount*, **change them carefully**.
Balanced: Threshold detects the signal; Strength controls the amount. **Change one parameter at a time.**
Example Note
Filename: base/notes/zettelkasten method.md
---
tags:
- note/basic/primary
- category/productivity # Only if base/categories/productivity.md exists!
aliases: []
created: 2025-08-10T23:25:33+07:00
updated: 2025-08-10T23:25:33+07:00
---
The Zettelkasten method is a knowledge management system based on networked atomic notes[^1].
Each note should contain one idea and link to related notes, forming a network of knowledge.
> [!quote]
> "A Zettelkasten is a personal tool for thinking and writing that creates an interconnected web of thought." — Sönke Ahrens
[^1]: [Introduction to the Zettelkasten Method](https://zettelkasten.de/introduction/)