Theme Notes

Theme notes are the basic unit of LifeOS. Every topic in your life and work -- whether it's a project with a deadline, an area requiring ongoing attention, or a topic you're interested in -- can be managed as a theme.

Understanding Theme Notes

Each theme note has a unique theme tag as its identifier. Tag any note with this theme tag, and related tasks, bullets, and files are automatically collected in the theme note's index file.

This is the core of LifeOS's "low-pressure recording": just jot things down in your daily notes with a tag, and you can find all related content in the theme note later.

PARA Directory Structure

LifeOS uses the PARA method by default to organize theme notes. Here is the actual directory structure from the example vault:

Vault/
├── -1. 捕获/          # Unsorted temporary content
│   ├── 2024 新年建议 - 陈思远.md
│   ├── 不理解超线性回报,就无法理解这个世界.md
│   └── 高盛的 2024 宏观经济预测.md

├── 0. 周期笔记/       # Daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly/yearly notes
│   ├── Templates/     # Periodic note templates
│   └── 2023/          # Archived by year

├── 1. 项目/           # Things with deadlines
│   ├── Template.md
│   ├── 个人品牌-LifeOS-录制上手视频/
│   ├── 个人品牌-WOT-分享会/
│   └── 育儿-筹办周岁宴/

├── 2. 领域/           # Ongoing responsibilities
│   ├── Template.md
│   ├── 个人品牌/
│   ├── 同事工作/
│   ├── 夫妻关系/
│   ├── 父母关系/
│   └── 育儿/

├── 3. 资源/           # Interesting references
│   ├── Template.md
│   ├── 摄影摄像/
│   └── 知识管理/

├── 4. 存档/           # No longer active content
│   ├── Template.md
│   └── 育儿-宝宝起名/

├── 5. 表达/           # Output and creation
│   └── 一种实用新型 Obsidian 实践之构建我的第二大脑.md

└── 任务.md            # Global task inbox

PARA Four-Category Overview

CategoryWhat Goes HereHow to DecideExamples
1. ProjectsThings with deadlinesDone when completedWOT presentation, baby's first birthday party
2. AreasOngoing responsibilitiesNo endpoint, needs maintenanceParenting, coworker relations, marriage
3. ResourcesInteresting referencesNo action needed nowPhotography, knowledge management
4. ArchiveNo longer active contentCompleted projects, outdated resourcesBaby naming project

Additionally, there are two auxiliary directories:

  • -1. Capture -- Unsorted temporary content; capture first, organize later
  • 5. Expression -- Output refined from resources and areas

Theme Note Templates

Each category directory has a Template.md that is automatically used when creating new theme notes.

Project Template

%%设置项目截止日期,及其结果描述%%

- [ ] #<% tp.frontmatter.tags %> 📅 <% tp.date.now("YYYY-MM-DD", 7) %>
- 结果描述

## 任务

%%根据当前文件的 Properties 的 tags 字段查询任务,从所有的笔记中提取%%

```LifeOS
TaskListByTag
```

## 闪念

%%根据当前文件的 Properties 的 tags 字段查询子弹列表,从所有的笔记中提取%%

```LifeOS
BulletListByTag
```

## 文件

%%根据当前文件的 Properties 的 tags 字段查询文件列表,从所有的笔记中提取%%

```LifeOS
FileListByTag
```

Each theme note automatically indexes via three LifeOS code blocks:

Code BlockPurpose
TaskListByTagCollects all tasks with this theme's tag from the entire vault
BulletListByTagCollects all bullet items with this theme's tag from the entire vault
FileListByTagCollects all file references with this theme's tag from the entire vault

Area Template

## 归档

%%本领域归档的项目列表%%

```LifeOS
ArchiveListByTag
```

## 任务

%%根据当前文件的 Properties 的 tags 字段查询任务,从所有的笔记中提取%%

```LifeOS
TaskListByTag
```

## 闪念

%%根据当前文件的 Properties 的 tags 字段查询子弹列表,从所有的笔记中提取%%

```LifeOS
BulletListByTag
```

## 文件

%%根据当前文件的 Properties 的 tags 字段查询文件列表,从所有的笔记中提取%%

```LifeOS
FileListByTag
```

The area template adds ArchiveListByTag to display archived projects under that area.

Create a Theme Note

  1. Switch to "Theme Notes" in the top-left form
  2. Enter a theme tag (e.g., 个人品牌/WOT-分享会)
  3. Select the target category (Project/Area/Resource)
  4. An index file is auto-created with template content pre-filled

Manage Note Lifecycle

PARA's core principle is "actionability" -- note categories change over time:

When a Project Completes

  1. Confirm all tasks in the project are done
  2. Move the entire project folder to 4. 存档/
  3. The project disappears from the home view but remains searchable

Periodic Review

Spend 15 minutes monthly reviewing your PARA:

  • Are there completed projects that haven't been archived?
  • Should any areas be downgraded to resources?
  • Have any resources actually become active projects?
Tip

PARA is just one way to organize theme notes. You can customize your workflow and create different directory structures based on your needs. The key is theme tags -- regardless of folder organization, tags are the thread that connects everything.

Use "Flash Roaming"

Click the "Flash Roaming" button and Aino LifeOS randomly surfaces your historical notes -- helping you rediscover forgotten ideas and spark new connections.