# BrainRepo Structure Guide Detailed breakdown of every folder and when to use it. ## Directory Tree ``` brainrepo/ │ ├── Inbox/ # Temporary capture zone │ └── *.md # Unprocessed notes (clear daily) │ ├── Projects/ # Active work with deadlines │ └── / │ ├── index.md # Project overview & status │ ├── meetings/ # Meeting notes │ └── *.md # Project-specific notes │ ├── Areas/ # Ongoing responsibilities │ ├── personal-growth/ │ │ ├── index.md # Overview, current goals │ │ ├── health.md # Fitness, nutrition, medical │ │ ├── habits.md # Habit tracking │ │ ├── learning.md # Courses, books, skills │ │ └── career.md # Career goals, development │ ├── family/ │ │ ├── index.md # Overview │ │ ├── important-dates.md # Birthdays, anniversaries │ │ └── traditions.md # Family rituals │ └── / │ └── *.md │ ├── Notes/ # Atomic knowledge (Zettelkasten) │ └── .md # One idea per note │ ├── Resources/ # External references │ ├── articles/ # Saved articles │ ├── books/ # Book notes │ ├── tools/ # Tool documentation │ └── *.md # General resources │ ├── Journal/ # Daily notes │ └── YYYY-MM-DD.md # One file per day │ ├── People/ # Relationship tracking │ └── .md # One file per person │ ├── Tasks/ # Task management │ └── index.md # All tasks, linked to projects │ └── Archive/ # Completed/inactive items ├── projects/ # Archived projects └── areas/ # Archived areas ``` ## Folder Details ### Inbox/ **Purpose:** Quick capture without friction. Brain dump zone. **Rules:** - Anything goes here first - No organization required - Clear DAILY during evening processing - If something sits >3 days, either process or delete **Example files:** - `random-thought-2026-02-04.md` - `meeting-note-quick.md` - `idea-for-later.md` --- ### Projects/ **Purpose:** Active work with specific outcomes and deadlines. **Rules:** - Each project gets its own folder - Must have an `index.md` with overview - Move to Archive/ when complete - Link to relevant People/ and Notes/ **When to create a project:** - Has a clear deliverable - Has a deadline (even if fuzzy) - Requires multiple actions - Will eventually be "done" **Example structure:** ``` Projects/ ├── website-redesign/ │ ├── index.md # Goals, status, timeline │ ├── requirements.md # Specs │ └── meetings/ │ └── 2026-02-04.md └── book-writing/ ├── index.md ├── outline.md └── chapters/ ``` --- ### Areas/ **Purpose:** Ongoing responsibilities without deadlines. **Rules:** - Maintained forever, never "complete" - Standards to uphold, not goals to achieve - Review monthly for neglected areas - Keep minimal — don't over-create **Core Areas (recommended):** - `personal-growth/` — health, learning, habits, career - `family/` — relationships, important dates **When to create an area:** - Ongoing responsibility - No end date - Regular attention needed - Not a project (no deliverable) --- ### Notes/ **Purpose:** Permanent atomic knowledge. Zettelkasten-style. **Rules:** - One idea per note - Heavily linked with `[[wikilinks]]` - Evergreen — update as knowledge grows - Not project-specific (that goes in Projects/) **Good for:** - Concepts and mental models - Lessons learned - Frameworks and methodologies - Insights that apply broadly **Example notes:** - `compound-interest.md` - `negotiation-tactics.md` - `startup-lessons.md` - `writing-tips.md` --- ### Resources/ **Purpose:** External content worth saving. **Rules:** - Always include source URL - Add why it's valuable - Summarize key points - Can be organized in subfolders **Subfolders:** - `articles/` — saved articles - `books/` — book notes & highlights - `tools/` — software & tool docs - `courses/` — course notes --- ### Journal/ **Purpose:** Daily chronological record. **Rules:** - One file per day: `YYYY-MM-DD.md` - Created during evening processing - Links to what was captured/processed - Personal reflections optional **Template:** ```markdown --- created: YYYY-MM-DD tags: [journal] --- # YYYY-MM-DD ## Captured Today - [[Inbox/idea-x]] → moved to [[Notes/concept]] - New person: [[People/john-doe]] ## Progress - [[Projects/website/index|Website]]: Finished homepage ## Reflections Optional thoughts about the day. ``` --- ### People/ **Purpose:** Track relationships and interactions. **Rules:** - One file per person: `firstname-lastname.md` - Record how you met, context - Log significant interactions - Link to shared projects **Template:** ```markdown --- created: YYYY-MM-DD tags: [person, colleague] related: ["[[Projects/acme/index|ACME]]"] --- # John Doe Brief description of who they are. ## Relationship - **Met:** Where/when - **Role:** What they do - **Context:** How you know them ## Interaction Log ### YYYY-MM-DD - Topic discussed - Follow-up needed ``` --- ### Tasks/ **Purpose:** Centralized task tracking. **Rules:** - Main file: `index.md` - Tasks linked to projects where relevant - Use `- [ ]` checkbox format - Review weekly **Format:** ```markdown # Tasks ## Inbox (Unsorted) - [ ] Random task ## By Project ### [[Projects/website/index|Website]] - [ ] Design homepage - [x] Set up hosting ## Waiting For - [ ] Response from John about X ``` --- ### Archive/ **Purpose:** Completed or inactive items. **Rules:** - Move completed projects here - Maintains history without clutter - Can search when needed - Subfolders mirror active structure ## Decision Tree ``` New information arrives │ ├─ Is it about an active project? │ YES → Projects// │ ├─ Is it about a person? │ YES → People/.md │ ├─ Is it about personal growth (health, habits, learning, career)? │ YES → Areas/personal-growth/ │ ├─ Is it about family? │ YES → Areas/family/ │ ├─ Is it a task/todo? │ YES → Tasks/index.md (+ project link if relevant) │ ├─ Is it external content (article, link)? │ YES → Resources/ │ ├─ Is it reusable knowledge (concept, lesson)? │ YES → Notes/ │ ├─ Is it a daily reflection? │ YES → Journal/YYYY-MM-DD.md │ └─ Not sure? → Inbox/ (process later) ```