How do I install the Para Pkm skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add modbender/para-pkm in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

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This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Para Pkm free to use?

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Who published Para Pkm?

modbender (@modbender) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Para Pkm by modbender — Agent Skill

Name: Para Pkm
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Author: modbender

Para Pkm

Manage PARA-based personal knowledge management (PKM) systems using Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives organization method. Use when users need to (1) Create a new PARA knowledge base, (2) Organize or reorganize existing knowledge bases into PARA structure, (3) Decide where content belongs in PARA (Projects vs Areas vs Resources vs Archives), (4) Create AI-friendly navigation files for knowledge bases, (5) Archive completed projects, (6) Validate PARA structure, or (7) Learn PARA organizational patterns for specific use cases (developers, consultants, researchers, etc.)

modbender Updated Sep 9, 2026 12 repo stars

File contents

PARA PKM

Organize by actionability, not topic. Projects/Areas/Resources/Archives for optimal AI navigation. Monthly review cadence.

Core Concepts

Projects = Time-bound goals with deadlines (completes → Archives); includes projects/stories/ for job applications
Areas = Ongoing responsibilities (use _overview.md per area for context)
Resources = Reference material; when unsure, put here temporarily
Archives = Inactive items from any category

Decision Tree

Has deadline/end state? → Projects
Ongoing responsibility? → Areas
Reference material? → Resources (default for uncertain items)
Completed/inactive? → Archives

Quick Start

python scripts/init_para_kb.py <name> - Creates PARA + projects/stories/ + navigation
Identify projects (deadlines) → areas (ongoing) → resources (reference)
python scripts/generate_nav.py - Generate AI navigation

Scripts

Script	Purpose	Usage
`init_para_kb.py`	Scaffold new KB	`<name> [--path <dir>]`
`validate_para.py`	Check structure, detect anti-patterns	`[path]`
`archive_project.py`	Archive with metadata (date, origin)	`<project-file> [--kb-path]`
`generate_nav.py`	Create AI nav (<100 lines)	`[--kb-path] [--output]`

Templates

Template	Purpose
`assets/AGENTS.md.template`	AI navigation index
`assets/project.md.template`	Project file structure
`assets/area-overview.md.template`	Area `_overview.md` format
`assets/README.md.template`	Knowledge base README

Patterns by Role

Developers: projects/active/ features/bugs, areas/professional-development/, resources/coding-standards/
Consultants: projects/active/ deliverables + projects/stories/, areas/consulting/clients/, resources/templates/
Researchers: projects/active/ papers/grants, areas/research-program/, resources/literature-review/
Product Builders: projects/active/ launches, areas/product-development/{active,research,graduated,legacy}/

Complex Scenarios

Client = project + relationship: projects/active/client-x.md (deliverables) + areas/consulting/clients/client-x.md (relationship, billing)

Research lifecycle: areas/product-development/{research → graduated → active → legacy} with cross-references

Anti-Patterns

inbox/ folder (capture directly into PARA; use Resources when uncertain)
Deep nesting (max 2-3 levels; flat > nested)
Topic-based organization ("work/personal" → use actionability)
Todo folders (tasks belong with their projects/areas)
Perfectionism (move freely as understanding evolves; monthly review catches misplacements)

Content Lifecycle

Resources → Projects → Archives (research → active work → completed)
Areas → Archives (no longer responsible)
Projects ⟺ Areas (goal becomes ongoing or vice versa)

AI Navigation & Success Tips

Keep nav under 100 lines; point to paths not files; minimize tokens
Start simple ("What am I working on now?"); one home per item (use links)
Monthly review: archive completed, reassess areas; let patterns emerge

References

para-principles.md - Complete PARA method, "actionability not topic" principle
decision-guide.md - Detailed decision tree with edge cases
common-patterns.md - Proven patterns for different roles
ai-navigation.md - AI-friendly navigation best practices

---name: para-pkmdescription: Manage PARA-based personal knowledge management (PKM) systems using Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives organization method. Use when users need to (1) Create a new PARA knowledge base, (2) Organize or reorganize existing knowledge bases into PARA structure, (3) Decide where content belongs in PARA (Projects vs Areas vs Resources vs Archives), (4) Create AI-friendly navigation files for knowledge bases, (5) Archive completed projects, (6) Validate PARA structure, or (7) Learn PARA organizational patterns for specific use cases (developers, consultants, researchers, etc.)--- # PARA PKM Organize by actionability, not topic. Projects/Areas/Resources/Archives for optimal AI navigation. Monthly review cadence. ## Core Concepts - **Projects** = Time-bound goals with deadlines (completes → Archives); includes `projects/stories/` for job applications - **Areas** = Ongoing responsibilities (use `_overview.md` per area for context) - **Resources** = Reference material; when unsure, put here temporarily - **Archives** = Inactive items from any category ## Decision Tree ``` Has deadline/end state? → Projects Ongoing responsibility? → Areas Reference material? → Resources (default for uncertain items) Completed/inactive? → Archives ``` ## Quick Start 1. `python scripts/init_para_kb.py <name>` - Creates PARA + `projects/stories/` + navigation 2. Identify projects (deadlines) → areas (ongoing) → resources (reference) 3. `python scripts/generate_nav.py` - Generate AI navigation ## Scripts | Script | Purpose | Usage | |--------|---------|-------| | `init_para_kb.py` | Scaffold new KB | `<name> [--path <dir>]` | | `validate_para.py` | Check structure, detect anti-patterns | `[path]` | | `archive_project.py` | Archive with metadata (date, origin) | `<project-file> [--kb-path]` | | `generate_nav.py` | Create AI nav (<100 lines) | `[--kb-path] [--output]` | ## Templates | Template | Purpose | |----------|---------| | `assets/AGENTS.md.template` | AI navigation index | | `assets/project.md.template` | Project file structure | | `assets/area-overview.md.template` | Area `_overview.md` format | | `assets/README.md.template` | Knowledge base README | ## Patterns by Role - **Developers**: `projects/active/` features/bugs, `areas/professional-development/`, `resources/coding-standards/` - **Consultants**: `projects/active/` deliverables + `projects/stories/`, `areas/consulting/clients/`, `resources/templates/` - **Researchers**: `projects/active/` papers/grants, `areas/research-program/`, `resources/literature-review/` - **Product Builders**: `projects/active/` launches, `areas/product-development/{active,research,graduated,legacy}/` ## Complex Scenarios **Client = project + relationship**: `projects/active/client-x.md` (deliverables) + `areas/consulting/clients/client-x.md` (relationship, billing) **Research lifecycle**: `areas/product-development/{research → graduated → active → legacy}` with cross-references ## Anti-Patterns - inbox/ folder (capture directly into PARA; use Resources when uncertain) - Deep nesting (max 2-3 levels; flat > nested) - Topic-based organization ("work/personal" → use actionability) - Todo folders (tasks belong with their projects/areas) - Perfectionism (move freely as understanding evolves; monthly review catches misplacements) ## Content Lifecycle ``` Resources → Projects → Archives (research → active work → completed) Areas → Archives (no longer responsible) Projects ⟺ Areas (goal becomes ongoing or vice versa) ``` ## AI Navigation & Success Tips - Keep nav under 100 lines; point to paths not files; minimize tokens - Start simple ("What am I working on now?"); one home per item (use links) - Monthly review: archive completed, reassess areas; let patterns emerge ## References - [para-principles.md](references/para-principles.md) - Complete PARA method, "actionability not topic" principle - [decision-guide.md](references/decision-guide.md) - Detailed decision tree with edge cases - [common-patterns.md](references/common-patterns.md) - Proven patterns for different roles - [ai-navigation.md](references/ai-navigation.md) - AI-friendly navigation best practices

Frequently asked questions