A Minimal Obsidian Framework: PARA Meets Tags
For years, people have debated the best way to organize notes. Some prefer strict hierarchies, others thrive in free-flow tagging systems. In practice, both have strengths — and both have weaknesses.
This project is my attempt to combine them: a lightweight Obsidian template that blends the clarity of Tiago Forte’s PARA method with the flexibility of a minimal tagging system.
What is PARA?
The PARA framework, developed by Tiago Forte, is one of the simplest yet most powerful approaches to digital organization.
- Projects: short-term efforts with a defined outcome.
- Areas: responsibilities you need to maintain over time.
- Resources: reference material and useful knowledge.
- Archives: everything inactive from the other three.
Instead of endless folders and subfolders, PARA focuses on what matters most: outcomes, responsibilities, knowledge, and history.
Why Tags Matter
A folder structure is clear, but rigid. A tagging system is flexible, but chaotic if left unchecked.
Here, I follow the inspiration of James Bedford, who shows how a minimal tag strategy can add cross-cutting structure to Obsidian without turning it into a mess.
In practice, tags:
- Give you a second layer of organization across PARA.
- Allow quick filtering and discovery.
- Scale without breaking existing structure.
Inbox First
Every idea starts messy. That’s why this vault has an INBOX folder. It’s the drop-zone for all your captures — notes, thoughts, links, drafts.
Don’t overthink at the moment of capture. Collect first, organize later.
Quick Add for Speed
With the Quick Add plugin, this template gives you instant commands:
- New Note
- Weekly Note
- Monthly Note
- Contact
Just open the Command Palette (
cmd + P / ctrl + P) and trigger the action. It keeps your system flowing with minimal friction.A Framework, Not a System
The key idea: this vault is not a rigid system. It’s a framework. A scaffold.
You can adapt it, extend it, or strip it down. PARA and tags provide the bones; you supply the muscle and heart. As your knowledge grows, the vault grows with you — not against you.
The Details
- Author: Pavel Borodin
- Built on ideas from Tiago Forte and James Bedford
- Designed with JetBrains Mono font for clean, elegant writing
Final Thoughts
In Obsidian, there is no perfect system. The best one is the one that gets out of your way and helps you think.
This template is my contribution: simple, minimal, and designed to scale. Try it, adapt it, and make it yours.
One vault. One system. Infinite clarity.