- Core structure with README, LICENSE, and .gitignore - Complete vault template with Goals, Daily Notes, Projects, and Templates - Cascading goal system (3-year → yearly → monthly → weekly) - Claude Code integration with custom slash commands - GitHub Actions workflow for mobile integration - Comprehensive documentation (setup, customization, workflows, troubleshooting) - Automation scripts for setup (Unix/Mac and Windows) - Example content showing system usage - Self-documenting templates with inline instructions Ready for users to clone and customize for their personal knowledge management needs.
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Customization Guide
Make this PKM system truly yours. This guide covers everything from simple tweaks to advanced modifications.
Table of Contents
- Quick Customizations
- Template Modifications
- Folder Structure
- Tag System
- Claude Commands
- Workflow Automation
- Theme and Appearance
- Advanced Configurations
Quick Customizations
Personal Mission Statement
Location: CLAUDE.md and Templates/Daily Template.md
Replace the placeholder with your actual mission:
_"Your personal mission or daily affirmation here"_
Examples:
- "Build with purpose, live with intention, grow with courage"
- "Create value, nurture relationships, embrace learning"
- "Simplify complexity, amplify impact, multiply joy"
Time Blocks
Location: Templates/Daily Template.md
Adjust to your schedule:
## ⏰ Time Blocks
- **Early Morning (5-7am):** Meditation & Exercise
- **Morning (7-10am):** Deep work
- **Midday (10am-1pm):** Meetings & Collaboration
- **Afternoon (1-4pm):** Administrative tasks
- **Late Afternoon (4-6pm):** Learning & Development
- **Evening (6-9pm):** Family & Personal time
Goal Percentages
Location: Goals/1. Yearly Goals.md
Adjust effort allocation:
### 💼 Career (40% of effort) <!-- Increase if career-focused -->
### 🏃 Health (30% of effort) <!-- Increase if health is priority -->
### ❤️ Relationships (20% of effort)
### 🌱 Personal Growth (10% of effort)
Template Modifications
Daily Template Variations
Minimalist Version
# {{date:dddd, MMMM DD, YYYY}}
## Focus
-
## Tasks
- [ ]
- [ ]
- [ ]
## Notes
## Reflection
- Win:
- Learn:
- Tomorrow:
Detailed Version
# {{date:dddd, MMMM DD, YYYY}}
## Morning Intention
### Gratitude
### Affirmation
### Priority
## Schedule
### Time Blocks
### Meetings
### Deadlines
## Tasks by Context
### @Office
### @Home
### @Computer
### @Phone
## Project Updates
### [Project 1]
### [Project 2]
## Learning Log
### What I Learned
### Resources Consumed
### Questions Raised
## Health Tracking
### Exercise
### Nutrition
### Sleep
### Mood
## Detailed Reflection
### Successes
### Challenges
### Insights
### Improvements
Weekly Review Variations
Sprint-Based Review
# Sprint Review - Sprint {{sprint_number}}
## Sprint Goals
- [ ] Goal 1
- [ ] Goal 2
## Velocity
- Points Planned:
- Points Completed:
- Carry Over:
## Retrospective
### What Went Well
### What Didn't Work
### Action Items
OKR-Based Review
# Weekly OKR Check-in
## Objective 1: [Title]
### Key Result 1: [Metric]
- Progress: [X]%
- This Week's Contribution:
### Key Result 2: [Metric]
- Progress: [X]%
- This Week's Contribution:
Folder Structure
Alternative Structures
GTD-Based
vault/
├── Inbox/ # Capture everything
├── Next Actions/ # Immediate tasks
├── Projects/ # Multi-step outcomes
├── Someday Maybe/ # Future possibilities
├── Reference/ # Information storage
└── Contexts/ # @home, @office, @errands
PARA Method
vault/
├── Projects/ # Things with deadlines
├── Areas/ # Ongoing responsibilities
├── Resources/ # Future reference
└── Archives/ # Inactive items
Zettelkasten-Inspired
vault/
├── Permanent Notes/ # Atomic ideas
├── Literature Notes/ # From sources
├── Daily Notes/ # Journal entries
├── Index/ # Entry points
└── References/ # Sources
Adding Custom Folders
Create specialized folders for your needs:
vault/
├── Finances/ # Budget, investments
├── Learning/ # Courses, books, skills
├── Health/ # Medical, fitness, nutrition
├── Creative/ # Writing, art, music
└── Relationships/ # People, interactions
Tag System
Creating Your Tag Taxonomy
Hierarchical Tags
#work/project/clientA
#work/project/clientB
#work/admin/expenses
#work/admin/planning
#personal/health/exercise
#personal/health/nutrition
#personal/finance/budget
#personal/finance/investing
Status-Based Tags
#status/active
#status/waiting
#status/delegated
#status/complete
#status/cancelled
Energy-Based Tags
#energy/high # Requires focus
#energy/medium
#energy/low # Can do when tired
Context Tags
#context/home
#context/office
#context/online
#context/phone
#context/errands
Tag Combinations
Use multiple tags for powerful filtering:
#work #priority/high #energy/high #context/office
Claude Commands
Creating Custom Commands
Example: Book Notes Command
Create .claude/commands/book.md:
# Book Notes Creator
Creates a new book note with metadata and structure.
## Usage
claude code /book "Book Title" "Author"
## What it does
1. Creates note in Resources/Books/
2. Adds metadata (title, author, date started)
3. Includes template for notes
4. Links to reading list
Example: Meeting Notes Command
Create .claude/commands/meeting.md:
# Meeting Notes
Creates formatted meeting notes with action items.
## Usage
claude code /meeting "Meeting Title"
## Template
- Date/Time
- Attendees
- Agenda
- Discussion
- Action Items
- Follow-up
Modifying Existing Commands
Daily Command for Different Schedules
Edit .claude/commands/daily.md:
// For night shift workers
const DAILY_NOTES_TIME = "18:00"; // 6 PM start
// For early risers
const MORNING_ROUTINE_START = "05:00";
// For parents
const INCLUDE_FAMILY_SECTION = true;
Workflow Automation
Morning Routine Automation
Create .claude/commands/morning.md:
# Morning Routine
Executes complete morning workflow.
## Steps
1. Create daily note
2. Review yesterday's uncomplete tasks
3. Check calendar for today
4. Pull priority from weekly goals
5. Set time blocks
6. Generate motivation quote
End-of-Day Automation
Create .claude/commands/evening.md:
# Evening Shutdown
Complete end-of-day routine.
## Steps
1. Mark task completion
2. Write reflection
3. Move incomplete tasks
4. Set tomorrow's priority
5. Commit to git
6. Generate daily summary
Project Kickoff Automation
Create .claude/commands/kickoff.md:
# Project Kickoff
Initialize new project with structure.
## Steps
1. Create project folder
2. Add CLAUDE.md with template
3. Create project plan
4. Set up project board
5. Add to active projects list
6. Create first milestone
Theme and Appearance
Obsidian Theme Customization
CSS Snippets
Create .obsidian/snippets/custom.css:
/* Custom colors */
.theme-dark {
--text-accent: #7c3aed; /* Purple accent */
--interactive-accent: #7c3aed;
}
/* Larger headings */
.markdown-preview-view h1 {
font-size: 2.5em;
color: var(--text-accent);
}
/* Checkbox styling */
input[type=checkbox]:checked {
background-color: #10b981; /* Green */
}
/* Tag colors */
.tag[href="#priority/high"] {
background-color: #ef4444;
color: white;
}
.tag[href="#energy/low"] {
background-color: #3b82f6;
color: white;
}
Daily Note Styling
Add to your daily template:
<div style="background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%); padding: 20px; border-radius: 10px; color: white; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<h2 style="margin: 0;">{{date:dddd, MMMM DD, YYYY}}</h2>
<p style="margin: 5px 0; font-style: italic;">Your daily mission statement here</p>
</div>
Advanced Configurations
Dataview Queries
If using Dataview plugin:
Task Dashboard
```dataview
TABLE
file.link AS "Note",
filter(file.tasks, (t) => !t.completed) AS "Open Tasks"
FROM "Daily Notes"
WHERE file.day >= date(today) - dur(7 days)
SORT file.day DESC
```
Habit Tracker
```dataview
TABLE
exercise AS "🏃",
meditation AS "🧘",
reading AS "📚",
water AS "💧"
FROM "Daily Notes"
WHERE file.day >= date(today) - dur(30 days)
```
Templater Scripts
If using Templater plugin:
Auto-weather
<%*
const response = await fetch('http://wttr.in/?format=3');
const weather = await response.text();
tR += weather;
%>
Random Quote
<%*
const quotes = [
"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.",
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.",
"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light."
];
const randomQuote = quotes[Math.floor(Math.random() * quotes.length)];
tR += randomQuote;
%>
Git Hooks
Create .git/hooks/pre-commit:
#!/bin/bash
# Auto-format markdown files before commit
# Format all markdown files
find . -name "*.md" -type f -exec prettier --write {} \;
# Add formatted files back
git add -A
Mobile Shortcuts
iOS Shortcuts
Create Siri Shortcuts for:
- "Create daily note" → Opens GitHub app to issue creation
- "Add task" → Creates issue with 'task' label
- "Weekly review" → Triggers GitHub Action
Android Automation
Use Tasker or Automate for:
- Morning notification to create daily note
- Evening reminder for reflection
- Location-based project reminders
Integration Examples
Calendar Integration
## Today's Events
<!-- Embed calendar events -->
![[calendar-sync/{{date}}.md]]
Email Integration
## Inbox Processing
- [ ] Email from: [sender] Re: [subject]
- Action: [Reply/Archive/Delegate]
Task Manager Sync
## External Tasks
<!-- Pulled from Todoist/Things/etc -->
- [ ] [Task from external system]
Best Practices
Start Simple
- Begin with minimal customization
- Add complexity as patterns emerge
- Review and refine monthly
Document Your System
Create vault/System Documentation.md:
# My PKM System Rules
## File Naming
- Daily notes: YYYY-MM-DD.md
- Projects: PascalCase
- Resources: lowercase-with-dashes
## My Workflows
- Morning: ...
- Weekly: ...
- Monthly: ...
## My Conventions
- Tags: ...
- Links: ...
- Templates: ...
Regular Reviews
- Weekly: Adjust templates based on use
- Monthly: Review folder structure
- Quarterly: Major system updates
- Yearly: Complete system overhaul
Remember: The goal is a system that works for YOU. Don't copy others blindly - adapt and evolve based on your actual needs and patterns.