---
name: para-method
description:
  Organize digital life using PARA framework (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives).
  Use when setting up note systems, categorizing information, or migrating from other
  organizational systems.
---

# PARA Method

Organize information by actionability.
Not by topic.

## When to Use

- Setting up notes, folders, or knowledge base
- Sorting messy digital files
- Deciding where information belongs

## Goal

Put each item where future you will look for it.
Keep active work easy to find.
Move inactive work out of the way.

## Rules

- Use four top-level folders.
- Number folders: `1-Projects`, `2-Areas`, `3-Resources`, `4-Archives`.
- Do not overbuild subfolders early.
- Move items when actionability changes.
- Link instead of duplicate.
- Archive completed or inactive work quickly.

## Categories

- Projects: active effort with outcome and deadline.
- Areas: ongoing responsibility with standard to maintain.
- Resources: reference material or topic of interest.
- Archives: inactive items worth keeping.

Examples:

- Project: launch website by March 1.
- Area: health, finances, career.
- Resource: programming notes, recipes, market research.
- Archive: completed project, old job, past reference.

## Decision Flow

Ask in order:

1. Active now?
2. Has deadline and done state? → Project.
3. Ongoing responsibility? → Area.
4. Useful reference? → Resource.
5. Inactive but worth keeping? → Archive.
6. No value? → Delete.

When unsure, choose where you will look first.

## Setup Flow

1. Create four numbered folders.
2. Create temporary `To Sort`.
3. Move unsorted items there.
4. Sort one item at a time.
5. Add subfolders only when repeated need appears.
6. Review weekly.

## Review Flow

- Move completed projects to archives.
- Check stalled projects.
- Update active project list.
- Merge duplicate resources.
- Delete useless items.

## Output

```md
## PARA Sorting

Item: [name]
Current use: [active / reference / inactive]
Category: [Project / Area / Resource / Archive]
Reason: [why]
Move to: [folder]
Review date: [optional]
```