Document Format

Document Format

Create documents following workspace conventions and schemas defined in the Database system.

Overview

This workspace uses a structured Database system with well-defined schemas for different document types. All schemas, templates, and conventions are maintained in Database/Schemas/.

When to use this skill:

• Creating new tasks, projects, meetings, people, companies, or bookmarks
• Understanding how to structure document frontmatter
• Learning when to create and update specific document types
• Following workspace conventions for file naming and linking

Quick Start

1. Identify the document type you need to create (task, project, person, etc.)
2. Read the schema from Database/Schemas/README.md to see all available types
3. Navigate to the specific schema folder (e.g., Database/Schemas/Task/)
4. Read the schema README for complete specifications and examples
5. Use the template provided in that folder to create your document

Loading Schemas

Schema Index

Start by reading the schema index to understand available document types:

Database/Schemas/README.md

This index provides:

• Complete list of available schemas
• Quick reference table with locations and descriptions
• Guidelines for creating new schemas
• Common frontmatter patterns
• Integration with Obsidian Bases

Individual Schemas

Each schema is documented in its own folder:

Database/Schemas/
├── Task/
│   ├── README.md      # Complete schema specification
│   └── template.md    # Ready-to-use template
├── Project/
│   ├── README.md
│   └── template.md
├── Person/
│   ├── README.md
│   └── template.md
├── Company/
│   ├── README.md
│   └── template.md
├── Meeting/
│   ├── README.md
│   └── template.md
├── Bookmark/
│   ├── README.md
│   └── template.md
└── Document/
    ├── README.md
    ├── template-research.md
    └── template-prd.md

Schema Documentation Structure

Each schema README includes:

1. Location - Where documents of this type are stored
2. Filename Convention - How to name new files
3. When to Create - Triggers and scenarios for creating this document type
4. When to Update - What changes should trigger updates
5. Frontmatter Schema - Required and optional properties with types
6. Tag Conventions - Standardized tagging patterns
7. Viewing Documents - Available Obsidian Bases views
8. Best Practices - Common patterns and recommendations
9. Examples - Real-world examples with different configurations

Workflow for Creating Documents

Step 1: Load the Schema

Read the appropriate schema README:

Database/Schemas/[Type]/README.md

Example: For creating a task, read Database/Schemas/Task/README.md

Step 2: Copy the Template

Use the template as a starting point:

Database/Schemas/[Type]/template.md

Step 3: Fill in Properties

Follow the schema specification:

• Add all required properties
• Add optional properties as needed
• Use correct property types (string, date, wikilink, array, enum)
• Follow tag conventions
• Use proper filename convention

Step 4: Save in Correct Location

Place the file in the appropriate Database folder:

Database/[Types]/Your-File-Name.md

Common Conventions

Frontmatter Requirements

All Database documents must include:

---
type: documenttype  # Required: task, project, person, company, meeting, bookmark
created: YYYY-MM-DD # Recommended: ISO 8601 date format
tags: [...]         # Recommended: for filtering
---

Linking Between Documents

Use wikilinks to create relationships:

# Link to a person
assignee: "[[Database/People/Team-Member]]"

# Link to a project
project: "[[Database/Projects/AGI-Assistant]]"

# Link to multiple items
team:
  - "[[Database/People/Person-One]]"
  - "[[Database/People/Person-Two]]"

File Naming Patterns

Follow consistent naming based on document type:

• Tasks: Descriptive title case: Integrate-Zep-Memory.md
• Projects: Project name: AGI-Assistant.md
• People: First-Last: Alice-Smith.md
• Companies: Company name: Placeholder-Labs.md
• Meetings: Date-based: 2026-01-15-Meeting-Title.md
• Bookmarks: Descriptive: Claude-API-Docs.md

Date Formats

Always use ISO 8601 (YYYY-MM-DD):

created: 2026-01-15
due: 2026-01-31
meeting_date: 2026-01-20

Schema Extension

To create a new document type or modify existing schemas:

1. Read Database/Schemas/README.md section "Creating a New Schema"
2. Follow the documented structure for schema folders
3. Include README.md with complete specification
4. Provide template.md for easy document creation
5. Create corresponding .base file for Obsidian Bases views
6. Update the schema index

Integration with Obsidian Bases

All schemas are designed to work with Obsidian Bases plugin:

• Filter documents by frontmatter properties
• Group by status, priority, person, project, etc.
• Sort by dates, priorities, or custom fields
• View as tables, kanbans, cards, or lists
• Query related documents using relationship fields

Each document type has pre-configured views in Database/[Types].base files.

Best Practices

1. Always read the schema first - Don't guess frontmatter properties
2. Use templates - Start from provided templates to ensure consistency
3. Maintain relationships - Link related documents for bidirectional navigation
4. Update frontmatter - Keep metadata current (status, dates, counters)
5. Follow conventions - Use standardized naming, tagging, and linking patterns
6. Leverage queries - Use embedded Base queries to show related data inline

Examples

Creating a Task

1. Read Database/Schemas/Task/README.md
2. Copy from Database/Schemas/Task/template.md
3. Fill in required properties (type, status, priority, assignee, created)
4. Add optional properties (project, due, blocked_by)
5. Save to Database/Tasks/Your-Task-Name.md

Creating a Project

1. Read Database/Schemas/Project/README.md
2. Copy from Database/Schemas/Project/template.md
3. Fill in required properties (type, status, priority, lead, total_tasks, completed_tasks)
4. Add optional properties (team, start_date, target_date, budget)
5. Save to Database/Projects/Your-Project-Name.md

Creating a Person

1. Read Database/Schemas/Person/README.md
2. Copy from Database/Schemas/Person/template.md
3. Determine person type (team member, external contact, industry leader)
4. Fill in appropriate properties for that type
5. Save to Database/People/First-Last.md or Team/First-Last.md

Troubleshooting

Q: Which schema should I use? A: Read Database/Schemas/README.md - it has a table mapping use cases to schemas.

Q: What if none of the schemas fit? A: Check if Database/Schemas/Document/ (free-form content) works, or propose a new schema following the extension guidelines.

Q: How do I create skills for workflows or automations? A: Skills go in Database/Skills/ (not schemas). Use the /skill-creator skill to create user-editable skills. Add cron frontmatter field for scheduled execution (e.g., cron: "0 9 * * 1-5" for weekdays at 9am).

Q: How do I know what properties are required? A: Each schema README has a "Frontmatter Schema" section with required vs optional properties.

Q: Can I add custom properties? A: Yes, schemas define minimum required properties. You can add additional properties as needed.

Q: How do I link documents together? A: Use wikilinks in frontmatter: project: "[[Database/Projects/Project-Name]]". See schema READMEs for relationship fields.

Summary

This skill helps you create properly formatted documents by:

1. Directing you to schema documentation in Database/Schemas/
2. Explaining how to read and use schema specifications
3. Providing templates and examples
4. Enforcing workspace conventions

Always start by loading the schema index, then read the specific schema README for the document type you're creating.