How to Take Smart Notes
Nat Eliason
Nygard shows readers how to design and architect their application for the harsh realities it will face.
Score based on developer article recommendations — not sales data or reviews.
🟢 Developer Verdict
Hands-on guidance on the Zettelkasten method, enhancing knowledge management and idea generation for developers.
Read this if
- ✓ You seek a structured system for personal knowledge management.
- ✓ You want to transform how you read, learn, and generate new ideas.
- ✓ You are ready to implement the Zettelkasten note-taking method.
Skip this for now if
- ✗ You expect hands-on technical content or coding examples.
- ✗ You already have an established, effective knowledge system.
- ✗ You prefer quick tips over a detailed methodology for note-taking.
📊 Why Developers Recommend
It helps people protect focus in distraction-heavy environments.
Cited by 6 different developers, each bringing their own experience and perspective.
Valued for its practical approach — concepts connect directly to real-world engineering decisions and daily work.
💬 What Developers Say
"I highly recommend Sönke Ahrens' [How to Take Smart Notes]"
— wraith · Productivity Unlocked: Your Guide to Daily Inbox Processing · May 13, 2025
"If you want to learn more about Zettelkasten, I highly recommend the book How to Take Smart Notes by Sonke Ahrens"
— tdmoor · A System to Capture and Retain Knowledge · Nov 5, 2019
"If you want to take the "red pill" and go deeper, here are some great resources:"
— howtocode_io · What is Zettelkasten? · Aug 15, 2021
Based on 6 developer article mentions
👤 Who Should Read This
Best for
- • Self-taught developers building formal foundations
- • Career changers transitioning into software engineering
- • Developers looking to grow their careers
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Nat Eliason
Mentioned in 6 articles · #154 overall
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Recommended in 6 Articles
Productivity Unlocked: Your Guide to Daily Inbox Processing
A System to Capture and Retain Knowledge
Beyond Taking Notes (or how I joined the #roamcult)
Deliberate Note-Taking
Indiehacking: a review of my 3rd year
What is Zettelkasten?
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