How I created and use my analog Zettelkasten | Step-by-step guide

In this video, I show you step-by-step how to create and use an analog Zettelkasten.
// CHAPTERS //
00:00 - Introduction
01:07 - Supplies you will need
02:34 - Main components of a Zettelkasten
05:11 - Creating a Zettelkasten from Scratch
08:14 - Bib cards and extracting information from books
15:07 - Main cards
19:45 - Main card examples
26:44 - Using the index
29:44 - Bib box and catalog
31:54 - Wrap up
// LINKS //
Links to gear used in the video (some links are affiliate links)
- Scott Scheper's book: www.scottscheper.com/
- Box & Dividers amzn.to/49gj8RF
- 4x6 Index Cards: amzn.to/3uvEyeF
- Micron Pens: amzn.to/49gjoA7
- The Intellectual Life Book: amzn.to/3uBbQco

[@dalydegagne1839]

I appreciate your approach to Zettelkasten, especially analogue Zettelkasten, without getting into polemics about analogue vs digital approaches. I look forward to any future Zettelkasten videos you create.

[@shariarshuvo]

I found this video unintentionally relaxing.

[@carlosguio2562]

Thanks a lot, a very clear video. It was of great help for me. Now, I can to begin now my analog zettlekasten

[@sehatatlier291]

this video is far better than any other videos around for beginners

[@HowToCode_io]

Thank you!

[@dalydegagne1839]

I agree - well done. I am hoping to see more Zettelkasten videos on this channel.

[@Mystery-sy3hf]

I am glad to hear I am not the only one struggling with the academic discipline references. Especially when they don't show the reference numbers anymore. I appreciate your break down of the folgezettel, even though I think I have decided on a different approach. I think I will try letters for the main topic followed by a numbering for each card.

[@HowToCode_io]

Give it a shot and if you find out it’s not working for you, try something else. Your index will always tell you where things are so feel free to experiment and try new things. Happy to do what I can if you get stuck or need help.

[@FakeFlowers]

This was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much!

[@elclubdelas10am]

ES EL MEJOR VIDEO QUE HAY SOBRE EL SISTEMA DE ZETTELKASTEN... MUY BIEN EXPLICADO. GRACIAS!!!!!

[@animalrave7167]

I like your video. I'm more interested in hearing success stories about how its helped people so im hoping you post some at a later date. I started creating my own around 10 months ago after reading that same book and watching about a dozen yt vids on it. I started with both obsidian and an analog one at the same time. Putting the same info into both and structuring them both the same. There is something about the tactile nature of writing and touching cards that seems to trigger better memorization in me over the digital version. I've settled on digital though mainly because of speed. In the same amount of time i put 1 zettle in i can put around 3-5 in the digital version and the graph view ive found increases my productivity in finding new connections. The biggest thing i found was that i got caught up in expanding it as quickly as possible but realized that it was too broad and narrowed it down to focus on specific goals/projects. I think you need to create it with a goal or goals in mind as this is really only useful for certain things in order for it to be productive for you. Its strength is in the finding/seeing connections/relationships between the things and helping you track them.

[@HowToCode_io]

I agree that using it for a specific project or projects is the way to go. It is far more useful that way as it is intended to be a “thinking partner” not just a way to store random thoughts or notes.

[@janeviebrock]

Excellent job of simplifying how to do a Z. Sometimes less is more. TY

[@AntiNovelist]

This is a great breakdown!! Concise and clear. Now go fill it up!!!

[@cfraschetti]

Great guide. Thank you. I have also done away with Scott's 5 starting cards and moved to doing what you describe here, start with what you are reading. Also, doing your notes, then putting the book down for a while. That is a great idea. I have found selection is the hardest discipline, and I wonder if doing that will help. I'm going to try it. Thanks!

[@gondala]

Very informative and easy to follow.. I know following Scot's book is overwhelming for beginner.. and for someone who just want to produce book or do research in certain topics, I don't need to follow some wikipedia codes or categories of discipline. I think your approach is very feasible because in the beginning we have some projects in mind that we want to research. Best of luck.. I wish you can update your video after you have couple of hundreds cards... I want to see where it goes...

[@HowToCode_io]

I hope to make an updated video as well once I have outgrown the box I have now and have a significant amount of cards.

[@BenoAsylum]

I've been trying to understand the method for two weeks, I finally found your video and Scott's, thank you. Here in Brazil there is not much content about the Lumen method.

[@HowToCode_io]

Hope it helped. Scott has a lot of great content on it and get his book if you can. That has tons of helpful info

[@ha65milhoesdeanos]

Akakaka Tô aqui sem entender totalmente como fazê-lo. Não entendi a parte de como fazer a conexão.

[@BenoAsylum]

leva um tempo pra aprender, eu ainda estou meio confuso em certas partes. Brasicamente eu fiz o que ele mostrou nos vídeos, uma pra bibliografia, uma pro indice e outra pros zettels, pra fazer as interligações é facil, você vai criar uma nota com um numero qualquer, e quando você achar outra informação que possa ser util a se juntar com outra nota, voce simplesmente coloca o codigo seguido dela. Por exemplo, em uma nota voce colocou 100/1, então a proxima que voce achar que possa ser uma sequencia ou uma ponte, voce usa 100/1a e a proxima 100/1b e assim vai, quando tiver outra ideia parecida, porem não igual, voce pode por 100/2. E assim vai indo. @@ha65milhoesdeanos

[@yadirmora]

This video was super helpful

[@HowToCode_io]

Glad I could help.

[@oz_jones]

Good video. My current way of noting references is a modification what Scheper uses - i do it set up in Zotero too, but your analog catalogue made me think that maybe I should adopt it. It's going to be interesting if and when I'm using videos, podcasts and other online only sources. I currently have only one actual book in my ZK but many "potential" things to install in it, but... procrastination and all that. Lol! EDIT: Upon further thought, the only "problem" with online only sources is that you can't reference them offline so you would be on your computer anyway so putting them in Zotero or whatever is logical, but a backup is nice to have so my only "problem" with it is mostly nonexistent and just a me thing. Sorry for rambling.

[@chenlim2165]

Wonderful overview! Very helpful. Thank you!

[@HowToCode_io]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KeithDvorak]

as soon as i saw *sertillanges* on your index, i clicked like. as soon as i saw the book, i subscribed. and then your “second” card sites chesterton? awesome. i’m looking forward to seeing what else you create, including this project of yours! best of luck!

[@HowToCode_io]

Thanks, Keith. That book had a big impact on me and still does. I have also been reading the book Sertillanges mentions that his book builds off of called The Well-Springs by Alphonse Gratry and translated by Stephen J Brown. You can find the pdf online. I highly recommend it.

[@HowToCode_io]

Also Chesterton is the man!

[@KeithDvorak]

you’re welcome, and thank *you*! i’m unable to find the PDF; do you have a link you can share?

[@HowToCode_io]

@KeithDvorak i may have used library genesis. I couldn’t find anywhere to purchase the book.

[@KeithDvorak]

no worries. thanks! 🙏

[@MikeGastin]

Nice vid! Just subbed and looking forward to more.

[@Hendrix312002]

Thanks Mike!

[@yohanesliong4818]

Thank you

[@MaxEibel]

This is a very comprehensive video about the Zettelkasten system! Thank you! I have one question though, how do you link similar cards? For example: I currently read a book about the natural history of human morality, which reminds me of the concept of natural law. But I would file the first note under Human Evolution and the second one under Philosophy of Law.

[@HowToCode_io]

You can either file them not to next to one another or just make a note on one card of the reference number of the other card. You could do something like: related: 1/2/1

[@mintchip7178]

Could you send a link to the amazon box you feature in this video? I've searched and not found this exact one. Thank your for your time and this guide.

[@HowToCode_io]

There are links in the video description

[@topfundus1093]

Und, wie soll das mit 1000 oder 10000 Karteikarten gehen?

[@Kinoti9]

I have a question do you take notes as you read the book or do you finish the book then come back and take notes on what you remember?

[@HowToCode_io]

I take not on an index card aka the “bib card” then after I read the book I make main cards based upon those notes on the bib card.

[@jamesbradshaw3755]

Where do you find the Noteboxes?

[@HowToCode_io]

I bought mine off of Amazon. There should be a link in the description. You can also get them at office supply stores.

[@dogyaltshering9653]

The book you recommend is not available in India. Is there a substitute?

[@HowToCode_io]

Not that I know of. You might want to try finding a pdf of the book online or some digital form of it.

[@jayjoshifpc]

Why your main card(1/1/0 shown at 21:56) referring to the book(page no etc.)? It should refer to bib card from where it has been derived and that bib card should give reference to the book page no. etc. isn't it? Thats how I understood Zettelkasten.

[@HowToCode_io]

The numbering system is arbitrary and can be anything you want. The numbers do not reference the bib card. The bib card I put down as a source reference in the bottom left of each card which tells me where this note came from.

[@jayjoshifpc]

@@HowToCode_io Main cards are INSIGHTS (written in ones own words) or DATA collected from different bib cards. Those bib cards in turn created from various sources like books, podcast etc. For example you are reading about cognitive abilities of mind. Lets say you created BIB1 from BOOK1, BIB2 from BOOK2 and BIB3 from PODCAST1. Then lets say you have created MAINCARD1 with three entries on cognitive abilities of mind from each BIB1, BIB2 and PODCAST1. So for each entry you will give reference to corresponding bib cards and those bib cards in turn give references to their original sources. I think that's how it should be implemented. Hope I am making sense.

[@sthetatos]

What is the english word for "Zettelkasten"?

[@HowToCode_io]

In English it means note box or slip box

[@g1rhines]

Card Catalog. They've been gone long enough that people don't recognize a card catalog system, but it's a card catalog system that libraries used to use.

[@abcgoeshome5177]

You're not supposed to categorise within the zettelkasten system, it defeats the purpose of it from what I've read about it anyway. Good listen

[@HowToCode_io]

I think people have different approaches but this is what has worked for me so far. I am sure things will change over time. I will have to make an updated video if things change significantly enough.

[@oz_jones]

What do you mean? That's literally what Luhman did. Maybe I am misunderstanding your comment.

[@gondala]

I think the categorization for things within the zettelkasten system in this video is to focus on what our project in mind. So we don't make zettel for random idea even if it is interesting but not useful or relevan with the project. However, for those who don't have any project, then he can do such thing and make it grow by itself and finally make its own category.