Obsidian Note Organization
Clawd's Obsidian vault follows the PARA method. Every note belongs in a specific folder — nothing lives in the vault root.
Folder Structure
Vault/
├── 0. Inbox/ # Unsorted captures, quick notes
├── 1. Projects/ # Active projects with deadlines
├── 2. Areas/ # Ongoing responsibilities
├── 3. Resources/ # Reference material
│ ├── People/ # Notes about individuals
│ ├── References/ # Technical references (APIs, tools, comparisons)
│ ├── Concepts/ # Ideas, frameworks, mental models
│ └── ... # Other resource categories as needed
├── 4. Archive/ # Completed/inactive items
└── Templates/ # Note templates
Placement Rules
| Note Type | Folder | Example |
|-----------|--------|---------|
| Person (colleague, contact, public figure) | 3. Resources/People/ | Jeffrey Peck - PSLRA Lobbyist.md |
| API docs, tool guides, tech comparisons | 3. Resources/References/ | Claude API - Streaming Responses.md |
| Concepts, frameworks, mental models | 3. Resources/Concepts/ | Efficient Market Hypothesis.md |
| Active project with a deadline | 1. Projects/ | Current research, course prep |
| Ongoing responsibility (no end date) | 2. Areas/ | Teaching, health, finances |
| Quick capture, unsorted | 0. Inbox/ | To be filed later |
| Done, no longer active | 4. Archive/ | Past projects, old references |
Naming Conventions
Titles should be descriptive and include context so they're findable without opening the note:
- People:
Full Name - Role or Context.md(e.g.,Jeffrey Peck - PSLRA Lobbyist.md) - References:
Tool/Topic - Specific Aspect.md(e.g.,jq - Container Compatibility Notes.md) - Projects: Use the project's natural name
Avoid generic titles like Meeting Notes.md or Ideas.md — add the date, person, or topic.
Vault Hygiene
- The vault root directory should contain only folders, never loose notes
- If a note doesn't clearly fit a subcategory, place it in the parent PARA folder (e.g.,
3. Resources/) rather than the root - When in doubt,
0. Inbox/is the right temporary home — but follow up by filing it properly - Periodically move completed projects from
1. Projects/to4. Archive/