# Inbox Process

> Process inbox items - triage captured notes into appropriate PARA folders. Quick focused inbox maintenance. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/inbox-process` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/inbox-process`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/inbox-process/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/inbox-process

---


# Inbox Process

Quick triage of inbox items into appropriate PARA locations.

## Why This Matters

The inbox is for fast capture without friction. But items that stay there lose value:
- Quick ideas get forgotten
- Reference materials stay unfindable
- Action items never get acted on

Regular inbox processing keeps the capture system trustworthy.

## Quick Start

1. List items in 01 Inbox/
2. For each item: analyze, suggest destination, get confirmation
3. Move or delete based on user choice
4. Summarize what was processed

## Process

### Step 1: List Inbox Contents

Read all files in the inbox folder (typically `01 Inbox/`).

If inbox is empty, report success and exit.

### Step 2: For Each Item

**Analyze the content:**
- What is this? (idea, reference, task, project seed, etc.)
- Is it actionable?
- Does it relate to existing notes?

**Suggest destination:**

| Content Type | Suggested Location |
|--------------|-------------------|
| Active project or has deadline | 02 Projects/ |
| Ongoing responsibility | 03 Areas/ |
| Reference material | 04 Resources/ |
| Completed or outdated | 05 Archive/ |
| Trash or duplicate | Delete |
| Not ready to decide | Keep in Inbox |

**Present options to user:**

```
Item: [filename]
Content: [brief summary]

Suggestion: Move to 02 Projects/
Reason: Has clear outcome and deadline mentioned

Options:
1. Move to Projects
2. Move to Areas
3. Move to Resources
4. Archive
5. Delete
6. Keep in Inbox
```

### Step 3: Execute User Choice

- Move file to chosen destination
- Add basic frontmatter if missing:
  ```yaml
  ---
  created: YYYY-MM-DD
  processed: YYYY-MM-DD
  tags: []
  ---
  ```
- Log the action

### Step 4: Summary

After processing all items:

```markdown
## Inbox Processing Complete

**Processed:** X items
**Inbox remaining:** Y items

| Item | Action | Destination |
|------|--------|-------------|
| Note.md | Moved | 02 Projects/ |
| Idea.md | Deleted | - |
| Link.md | Kept | 01 Inbox/ |
```

## Configuration

Define your vault structure in CLAUDE.md:

```markdown
## Vault Structure

Folders:
  inbox: 01 Inbox/
  projects: 02 Projects/
  areas: 03 Areas/
  resources: 04 Resources/
  archive: 05 Archive/
```

## Parameters

Optional modifiers:
- `quick` - Show suggestion, assume yes unless user objects
- `dry run` - Preview without moving files
- `oldest first` - Process by file age instead of name

## Success Criteria

- [ ] All inbox items reviewed
- [ ] User confirmed each action before execution
- [ ] Files moved to appropriate locations
- [ ] Summary logged

---
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<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-11 -->