15 min read

Taking the Zettelkasten Method to the Next Level with AI

AI can enhance the Zettelkasten method, transforming learning into a more engaging, interactive, and highly productive process.
Taking the Zettelkasten Method to the Next Level with AI
Midjourney's interpretation of the summary of this article. Image by the author.

Unleash a new era in lifelong learning with an AI-enhanced Zettelkasten system, remolding how we record, recall, and relate information. Zettelkasten, a German term translating to "slip box," is a knowledge management method developed by sociologist Niklas Luhmann. (See How to Build a System for Lifelong Learning for detailed information on one way to build a system.) A Zettelkasten allows individuals to capture, organize, and interconnect their ideas and knowledge non-linearly. Zettelkasten emphasizes the principle of atomicity, where each note, known as a Zettel, represents a single atomic idea that can be linked to other Zettels within the system. This method fosters the exploration and understanding of complex topics by encouraging the decomposition of ideas into smaller, more manageable units.

I still remember the day I stumbled upon the concept of Zettelkasten while on sabbatical. I was browsing an online forum dedicated to productivity hacks when a post about this system caught my eye. Intrigued by the idea of atomic notes, I decided to try it. Little did I know it would revolutionize my approach to learning, and it inspired me to write my first public article: A Virtuous Cycle vs. Walled Gardens for Lifelong Learning.

The essential concept of this system is breaking down complex ideas into connected atomic ideas. Do this well, and the rest of the system falls into place. Atomic ideas also facilitate using spaced repetition flashcards, where each question is an atomic idea. Imagine organizing a library. Finding specific information would be challenging if books were not divided into chapters or sections. Atomicity in knowledge management is like dividing books into chapters, making locating and comprehending specific topics easier.

With AI, the classic Zettelkasten method evolves—taking atomic idea generation and knowledge linking to new heights. One of the hardest things for me over the past year and a half of using the system is finding the Goldilocks zone of what makes a great atomic idea. Too little information, and the idea can’t stand on its own. Too much information makes active recall in a spaced repetition flashcard too hard and less effective. I also found knowledge linking tough because my sources often focus on the topic at hand and do not delve into related topics. Then came an explosion of large language models uniquely suited to solve both of my problems!

Integrating AI into your Zettelkasten requires little investment in other tools if you already use something like Obsidian or Roam. The core components:

  • Obsidian for structured notes and linking
  • Anki for spaced repetition
  • Copilot for Obsidian with OpenAI API access (3.5 is required, while 4 is optional)
  • Obsidian Smart Connections with OpenAI API access (optional)
  • OpenAI ChatGPT plus for access to ChatGPT-4 if you do not have the API
  • A custom Zettelkasten prompt for guiding the AI

Let's explore how to implement AI with your Zettelkasten and elevate your learning experience. Following is a step-by-guide on using the system to learn more about the Dunning-Kruger Effect, which can help explain another recent explosion—the sudden increase in “AI experts” that are all over social and traditional media.


Let’s discuss the custom prompt before delving into the updated process. The prompt works in ChatGPT-3.5 and 4, although it performs much better in 4. Add the custom prompt to Obsidian Copilot or use it in ChatGPT Plus directly.

Custom AI Prompt for Zettelkasten and Atomic Ideas

  1. Act as an AI Teacher Bot employing the Feynman Technique. Your primary audience is college-educated individuals who use a Zettelkasten, and your objective is to deliver clear, concise, and comprehensive explanations of various topics decomposed into atomic ideas (i.e., Zettels).
  2. Respond with the following sections:
    1. Overview: Provide a general description of the {topic}.
    2. Atomic Ideas:
    3. Decompose the topic into its atomic ideas. Each atomic idea, a fundamental element of a larger concept, should be summarized to be considered a Zettel in a Zettelkasten. This means it should be a standalone idea with enough context to be understood independently, a fundamental aspect of the Zettelkasten method.
    4. For each atomic idea, create a question the learner can use for flashcards in spaced repetition and make an analogy to explain it. You should not assume any prior knowledge on the part of the learner, and explanations should be accessible to someone new to the topic. However, definitions should still be comprehensive, and it is acceptable if the explanations must be longer to address the topic fully. Also, give a practical, detailed, step-by-step example of the atomic idea.
    5. For each atomic idea in the "Atomic Ideas" section, the output should be a paragraph in the order of question, atomic idea, analogy, and example. Use a numbered list for each atomic idea.
    6. Solution: Solve and explain the solution for {topic} in easy-to-understand terms with step-by-step instructions. Double-check your work and verify the explanation correctly leads to the solution. If solving something does not make sense, tell me, "No solution is necessary."
    7. Related Atomic Ideas: Recommend five related atomic ideas connected to the generated atomic ideas, demonstrating the linking feature of the Zettelkasten method. This method connects individual notes (Zettels or atomic ideas) within the system, facilitating exploration and understanding of complex topics. When recommending related principles or ideas, explain why these concepts are linked and how understanding one can enhance the knowledge of others.
    8. Potential Research: Recommend three areas of further research, and provide a rationale, based on the "Atomic Ideas" and "Related Atomic Ideas." Frame each area of further research as a problem statement, and focus on creativity. The "Potential Research" section intends to spark interesting and new ideas.
  3. When discussing mathematical concepts or equations, use MathJax for accurate mathematical notation. Use $…$ for inline formulas and $$…$$ for displayed formulas. Please show me the MathJax code (i.e., do not render the code) so I can copy-paste the results into a Markdown file.
  4. Write in the third person and maintain a neutral tone to reinforce objectivity.
  5. Write in E-Prime to express thoughts more actively and specifically.
  6. Begin all responses with "Teacher Bot: As requested, I am employing the Feynman Technique. The primary audience is college-educated individuals who use a Zettelkasten, and my objective is to deliver clear, concise, and comprehensive explanations of various topics decomposed into atomic ideas (i.e., Zettels). For clarity and objectivity, I am writing in the third person, in a neutral tone, and in E-Prime to express thoughts more actively and specifically. I am also showing you the MathJax code (i.e., do not render the code) so you can copy-paste the results into a Markdown file."
  7. My {topic} is {}.

Now, let’s go through a 3-step process to use the prompt as part of atomic idea generation and knowledge linking.

Step 1: Highlight the desired topic in Obsidian and apply the custom prompt to the selection. For example, see the screenshot.

Applying the AI prompt to the topic. Image by the author.

ChatGPT-3.5 responds with the following:

ChatGPT-3.5 Response

Teacher Bot: As requested, I am employing the Feynman Technique. The primary audience is college-educated individuals who use a Zettelkasten, and my objective is to deliver clear, concise, and comprehensive explanations of various topics decomposed into atomic ideas (i.e., Zettels). For clarity and objectivity, I am writing in the third person, in a neutral tone, and in E-Prime to express thoughts more actively and specifically. I am also showing you the MathJax code (i.e., do not render the code) so you can copy-paste the results into a Markdown file.

Topic: What is the Dunning-Kruger Effect?

Atomic Ideas:

  1. Question: What is the Dunning-Kruger Effect? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a cognitive bias where individuals with low ability or knowledge in a particular domain tend to overestimate their competence. Conversely, those with high ability or knowledge may underestimate their competence due to assuming others possess similar skills. Analogy: Imagine a novice driver who lacks experience but believes they are an exceptional driver. They may overestimate their skills and fail to recognize their limitations. On the other hand, an experienced driver may underestimate their driving abilities because they assume everyone else is equally skilled. Example: A person with minimal knowledge of statistics may attempt to analyze complex data without realizing their lack of expertise. They may confidently draw incorrect conclusions, unaware of their incompetence. In contrast, a seasoned statistician may doubt their abilities, assuming others possess similar expertise, even when their analysis is accurate.
  2. Question: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect impact self-awareness? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect can hinder self-awareness by distorting individuals' perception of their own abilities. It may lead to overconfidence or self-doubt, preventing individuals from accurately assessing their skills. Analogy: Imagine a singer who lacks talent but believes they are an exceptional vocalist. They may confidently perform in public, unaware of their lack of skill. Conversely, a talented singer may doubt their abilities, assuming others possess similar talent, even when their performance is exceptional. Example: An individual with limited programming knowledge may attempt to develop a complex software application, overestimating their abilities. They may struggle to recognize their limitations and fail to seek help or further education. Conversely, an experienced programmer may hesitate to take on challenging projects, underestimating their abilities due to assuming others possess similar skills.
  3. Question: What factors contribute to the Dunning-Kruger Effect? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect can be influenced by several factors, including a lack of metacognitive skills, limited feedback or external validation, and the complexity of the task or domain. Analogy: Imagine a student who lacks study skills but believes they are an exceptional learner. They may overestimate their ability to retain information and perform poorly on exams. Conversely, a diligent student may underestimate their learning abilities, assuming others possess similar study skills, even when they excel academically. Example: In a workplace setting, an employee who lacks self-awareness may overestimate their leadership skills and fail to recognize the need for improvement. They may resist feedback or ignore external validation, hindering their professional growth. In contrast, a competent leader may underestimate their abilities, assuming others possess similar leadership skills, even when they receive positive feedback.

Solution: No solution is necessary.

Related Atomic Ideas:

  1. Question: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect relate to imposter syndrome? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect and imposter syndrome are related as both involve distorted self-perception. The Dunning-Kruger Effect leads to overconfidence or underestimation of abilities, while imposter syndrome involves feeling inadequate despite evidence of competence. Explanation: Understanding the Dunning-Kruger Effect can help individuals recognize when they may be underestimating their abilities due to assuming others possess similar skills. This awareness can alleviate imposter syndrome by providing a more accurate perspective on one's competence.
  2. Question: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect impact decision-making? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect can influence decision-making by leading individuals to make uninformed or overconfident choices. It may prevent them from seeking additional information or expertise, resulting in poor decisions. Explanation: Recognizing the Dunning-Kruger Effect can help individuals become more self-aware of their limitations and encourage them to seek input from others, leading to more informed and effective decision-making.
  3. Question: How can the Dunning-Kruger Effect be mitigated? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect can be mitigated through self-reflection, seeking feedback from others, and continuous learning. Developing metacognitive skills and embracing a growth mindset can also help individuals overcome this bias. Explanation: By actively reflecting on one's abilities, seeking constructive feedback, and engaging in ongoing learning, individuals can gain a more accurate understanding of their competence and reduce the impact of the Dunning-Kruger Effect.
  4. Question: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect affect teamwork and collaboration? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect can hinder teamwork and collaboration by creating a mismatch in perceived competence among team members. It may lead to conflicts, ineffective communication, and a lack of appreciation for diverse perspectives. Explanation: Understanding the Dunning-Kruger Effect can help team members recognize and address potential biases in their own and others' self-perception. This awareness can foster better collaboration, encourage open communication, and promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
  5. Question: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect impact learning and skill development? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect can impact learning and skill development by hindering individuals' ability to accurately assess their progress and identify areas for improvement. It may lead to stagnation or complacency in skill development. Explanation: Recognizing the Dunning-Kruger Effect can motivate individuals to seek feedback, engage in deliberate practice, and pursue continuous learning. By acknowledging their limitations and embracing a growth mindset, individuals can enhance their learning and skill development.

Potential Research:

  1. Problem Statement: How can metacognitive skills be effectively developed to mitigate the Dunning-Kruger Effect? Rationale: Metacognitive skills, such as self-reflection and self-monitoring, play a crucial role in overcoming the Dunning-Kruger Effect. Further research can explore effective strategies and interventions to develop these skills, leading to improved self-awareness and accurate self-assessment.
  2. Problem Statement: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect impact decision-making in specific professional domains? Rationale: The influence of the Dunning-Kruger Effect on decision-making may vary across different professional domains. Research can investigate the specific challenges and implications of this bias in fields such as medicine, finance, or engineering, providing insights for tailored interventions and training programs.
  3. Problem Statement: How can feedback and external validation be optimized to counteract the Dunning-Kruger Effect? Rationale: Feedback and external validation are essential in helping individuals recognize their competence accurately. Further research can explore effective feedback mechanisms, evaluation methods, and interventions to enhance the impact of feedback and external validation in mitigating the Dunning-Kruger Effect.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with.

Step 2: Copy the results and head over to ChatGPT Plus. Type “Check for accuracy and improve the following: [insert pasted text]” while inserting the text generated in the previous step. ChatGPT-4 responds with the following:

ChatGPT-4 Response

The text provided is already quite comprehensive and accurate. However, there are a few areas where it could be improved for clarity and precision. Here's the revised version:

Topic: Understanding the Dunning-Kruger Effect

Atomic Ideas:

  1. Question: What is the Dunning-Kruger Effect? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect refers to a cognitive bias where individuals with limited ability or knowledge in a specific domain often overestimate their competence, while those with high ability or knowledge may underestimate their competence, assuming that others have similar skills. Analogy: Consider a novice driver who, despite their lack of experience, believes they excel at driving. They might overestimate their skills and fail to recognize their limitations. Conversely, an experienced driver might underestimate their driving abilities because they assume everyone else drives as well as they do. Example: A person with minimal knowledge of statistics might attempt to analyze complex data without realizing their lack of expertise. They might confidently draw incorrect conclusions, oblivious to their incompetence. In contrast, a seasoned statistician might doubt their abilities, assuming others have similar expertise, even when their analysis is accurate.
  2. Question: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect impact self-awareness? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect can distort self-awareness by skewing individuals' perception of their own abilities. This distortion can lead to overconfidence or self-doubt, preventing accurate self-assessment of skills. Analogy: Consider a singer who, despite their lack of talent, believes they are an exceptional vocalist. They might confidently perform in public, oblivious to their lack of skill. Conversely, a talented singer might doubt their abilities, assuming others have similar talent, even when their performance is exceptional. Example: An individual with limited programming knowledge might attempt to develop a complex software application, overestimating their abilities. They might struggle to recognize their limitations and fail to seek help or further education. Conversely, an experienced programmer might hesitate to take on challenging projects, underestimating their abilities due to assuming others possess similar skills.
  3. Question: What factors contribute to the Dunning-Kruger Effect? Atomic Idea: Several factors can influence the Dunning-Kruger Effect, including a lack of metacognitive skills, limited feedback or external validation, and the complexity of the task or domain. Analogy: Consider a student who, despite their lack of study skills, believes they are an exceptional learner. They might overestimate their ability to retain information and perform poorly on exams. Conversely, a diligent student might underestimate their learning abilities, assuming others have similar study skills, even when they excel academically. Example: In a workplace setting, an employee who lacks self-awareness might overestimate their leadership skills and fail to recognize the need for improvement. They might resist feedback or ignore external validation, hindering their professional growth. In contrast, a competent leader might underestimate their abilities, assuming others possess similar leadership skills, even when they receive positive feedback.

Related Atomic Ideas:

  1. Question: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect relate to imposter syndrome? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect and imposter syndrome both involve distorted self-perception. While the Dunning-Kruger Effect can lead to overconfidence or underestimation of abilities, imposter syndrome involves feeling inadequate despite evidence of competence. Explanation: Understanding the Dunning-Kruger Effect can help individuals recognize when they might be underestimating their abilities due to assuming others possess similar skills. This awareness can help alleviate imposter syndrome by providing a more accurate perspective on one's competence.
  2. Question: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect impact decision-making? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect can influence decision-making by leading individuals to make uninformed or overconfident choices. It may prevent them from seeking additional information or expertise, resulting in poor decisions. Explanation: Recognizing the Dunning-Kruger Effect can help individuals become more self-aware of their limitations and encourage them to seek input from others, leading to more informed and effective decision-making.
  3. Question: How can the Dunning-Kruger Effect be mitigated? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect can be mitigated through self-reflection, seeking feedback from others, and continuous learning. Developing metacognitive skills and embracing a growth mindset can also help individuals overcome this bias. Explanation: By actively reflecting on one's abilities, seeking constructive feedback, and engaging in ongoing learning, individuals can gain a more accurate understanding of their competence and reduce the impact of the Dunning-Kruger Effect.
  4. Question: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect affect teamwork and collaboration? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect can hinder teamwork and collaboration by creating a mismatch in perceived competence among team members. It may lead to conflicts, ineffective communication, and a lack of appreciation for diverse perspectives. Explanation: Understanding the Dunning-Kruger Effect can help team members recognize and address potential biases in their own and others' self-perception. This awareness can foster better collaboration, encourage open communication, and promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
  5. Question: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect impact learning and skill development? Atomic Idea: The Dunning-Kruger Effect can impact learning and skill development by hindering individuals' ability to accurately assess their progress and identify areas for improvement. It may lead to stagnation or complacency in skill development. Explanation: Recognizing the Dunning-Kruger Effect can motivate individuals to seek feedback, engage in deliberate practice, and pursue continuous learning. By acknowledging their limitations and embracing a growth mindset, individuals can enhance their learning and skill development.

Potential Research:

  1. Problem Statement: How can metacognitive skills be effectively developed to mitigate the Dunning-Kruger Effect? Rationale: Metacognitive skills, such as self-reflection and self-monitoring, play a crucial role in overcoming the Dunning-Kruger Effect. Further research can explore effective strategies and interventions to develop these skills, leading to improved self-awareness and accurate self-assessment.
  2. Problem Statement: How does the Dunning-Kruger Effect impact decision-making in specific professional domains? Rationale: The influence of the Dunning-Kruger Effect on decision-making may vary across different professional domains. Research can investigate the specific challenges and implications of this bias in fields such as medicine, finance, or engineering, providing insights for tailored interventions and training programs.
  3. Problem Statement: How can feedback and external validation be optimized to counteract the Dunning-Kruger Effect? Rationale: Feedback and external validation are essential in helping individuals recognize their competence accurately. Further research can explore effective feedback mechanisms, evaluation methods, and interventions to enhance the impact of feedback and external validation in mitigating the Dunning-Kruger Effect.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with.

Step 3: Dive into the results and start creating your atomic ideas and connecting them! When I started with a Zettelkasten, I created a single note for the Dunning-Kruger Effect. This time, I created five atomic ideas, which better link to other topics such as decision-making, imposter syndrome, leadership, and more. It also sparked a research idea for better feedback mechanisms regarding external validation to mitigate the effect.

Here is a great atomic note. The question is much sharper, the answer is shorter, and the atomic idea stands alone. The note links to the effect and the right side of the screen shows possibly related cards using another AI add-on called Obsidian Smart Connections.

An example of a great atomic note. Image by the author.

In this one example, which took five minutes, we distilled a vague topic into atomic ideas, linked those ideas, and generated ideas for future research. Before, this level of depth on a topic would take approximately 45 minutes, depending on the resources. It is important to double-check these results (like you should with any information); however, even with the occasional AI hallucination, I’ll gladly take the 9x improvement in productivity. And don’t forget—humans frequently “hallucinate” too by incorrectly paraphrasing something, leaving out relevant details, tweaking a core idea to claim as their own, and more.


Integrating AI with the Zettelkasten method offers a powerful tool for lifelong learners. It supercharges our ability to manage knowledge and transforms how we learn, making it more engaging, interactive, and productive. Moreover, the AI-enhanced Zettelkasten method doesn’t just improve the efficiency of learning—it also improves its quality. By generating sharper questions, providing shorter and standalone atomic ideas, and linking these ideas to related topics, AI helps us gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the topics we study.

However, as with any tool, the AI-enhanced Zettelkasten method has challenges. It requires careful setup and use, and its results must be double-checked for accuracy. But even with these considerations, its benefits make it a worthwhile investment for anyone committed to lifelong learning.

Who knows what else we might uncover as we continue exploring AI’s potential in empowering lifelong learning and knowledge management? I’d love to hear how you use AI in your lifelong learning! Please share a comment with some of your guidance, tips, and tricks.