---
name: second-brain
description: |
  PARA method, GTD, and Building a Second Brain expert for Obsidian. Use when users mention:
  "para", "second brain", "obsidian", "capture", "organize", "distill", "code method",
  "inbox", "projects", "areas", "resources", "pkm", "tiago forte", "weekly review",
  "gtd", "getting things done", "dataview", "task management", "review"
allowed-tools: Read, Glob, Grep, mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_list_files_in_vault, mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_list_files_in_dir, mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_get_file_contents, mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_batch_get_file_contents, mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_append_content, mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_patch_content, mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_simple_search, mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_complex_search, mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_get_periodic_note, mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_get_recent_changes, mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_get_recent_periodic_notes, AskUserQuestion
---

# Second Brain Expert - PARA + CODE Method

Guide users on building and maintaining a Second Brain using PARA for organization and CODE for workflow. Integrates with Obsidian via MCP tools.

## Quick Reference

| Method | Purpose | Reference |
|--------|---------|-----------|
| PARA | Organization by actionability | [para-method.md](reference/para-method.md) |
| CODE | Capture → Organize → Distill → Express | [code-method.md](reference/code-method.md) |
| GTD + PARA | Task management, reviews, daily workflow | [gtd-task-management.md](reference/gtd-task-management.md) |
| Dataview Patterns | Advanced queries for PARA | [dataview-patterns.md](reference/dataview-patterns.md) |
| Templater Templates | 11 PARA templates with Templater syntax | [templater-templates.md](reference/templater-templates.md) |
| Progressive Summarization | Distill notes in layers | [progressive-summarization.md](reference/progressive-summarization.md) |
| Obsidian Best Practices | Vault structure, linking, frontmatter | [obsidian-best-practices.md](reference/obsidian-best-practices.md) |
| Feynman 12 Problems | Filter information through open questions | [feynman-12-problems.md](reference/feynman-12-problems.md) |
| YouTube Insights | Community wisdom from PARA/BASB creators | [youtube-insights.md](reference/youtube-insights.md) |

## MCP Obsidian Tools

Tools prefixed `mcp__MCP_DOCKER__obsidian_`:
- `list_files_in_vault` / `list_files_in_dir` - Browse vault
- `get_file_contents` / `batch_get_file_contents` - Read notes
- `append_content` / `patch_content` - Modify notes
- `simple_search` / `complex_search` - Find notes
- `get_periodic_note` / `get_recent_changes` - Daily notes & recent edits

## Common Workflows

### Quick Capture
Create note in `00_Inbox/` with capture template, add resonance tag, process within 48h.

### Process Inbox
Ask: Is it actionable with end date? → Project. Ongoing? → Area. Reference? → Resource. Done? → Archive.

### Weekly Review
Process inbox → Update projects → Archive completed → Check deadlines → Distill touched notes → Express outputs.

For detailed workflows, see [code-method.md](reference/code-method.md).

## Response Style

- **Direct** - Solve immediate problem first
- **PARA-aware** - Consider correct folder placement
- **Template-focused** - Use proper frontmatter
- **Actionable** - Provide specific next steps