# Five Habits for a Better Markdown Notes System

A notes system only helps if you keep using it. These habits keep a plain-text Markdown collection useful over years.

## 1\. One folder, few subfolders

Deep folder trees make notes hard to find. Keep a flat structure and rely on search and links instead.

## 2\. Name files for search

Start file names with the topic, not the date, so they sort and search well.

## 3\. Link related notes

A link between two notes is more useful than a tag on either. Add one whenever you notice a connection.

## 4\. Review weekly

Spend ten minutes each week tidying new notes and deleting what you no longer need.

## 5\. Keep your files local

Plain files on your own device stay readable without any app or account, and they are easy to back up.

[GlissNotes](https://www.glissnotes.app/) is a free local-first Markdown notes app for Mac, Windows, web and Android. Its MCP server lets Claude read your notes folder, so you can ask questions about your own notes.