principle of Zettelkasten

Principle of Atomicity

Each note should contain one, and only one, distinct idea. This makes notes easier to link, reorganize, and reuse.

Principle of Autonomy

Every note must be self-contained and comprehensible on its own, without needing to refer to the original source.

Principle of Connectivity

A note is useless without connections; you must actively link new notes to existing ones to build a web of ideas.

Principle of Context (Writing for Future You)

Write notes as if they are for someone else, ensuring they are understandable in the future without needing to remember the original context.

Bottom-Up Structure

Instead of forcing notes into pre-defined folders, structure emerges naturally from the relationships established between notes.

Principle of Permanent Notes

Notes should be rewritten in your own words, synthesizing information from literature notes or fleeting notes to ensure deep understanding.

Unique Identifiers

Each note (or Zettel) should have a unique ID, allowing it to be referenced and linked consistently, regardless of its position in the, often digital, system.