para-capture

/para-capture

Quick-capture a note from the current conversation into a PARA item's log.

Usage

/para-capture [text]
/para-capture

• If [text] is provided, capture that text directly.
• If no text is provided, ask the user what they want to capture — or summarize the current conversation topic and offer to capture that.

Examples:

/para-capture "Decided to use React for the frontend"
/para-capture Key insight from today's meeting: prioritize mobile first
/para-capture

Steps

1. Find the PARA root. Look for .para-config.json in:

   • Current working directory
   • ~/para/
   • Walk up from current directory

   If not found, tell the user to run /para-setup first.

2. Determine the text to capture. Use the provided text, or ask the user / summarize the conversation.

3. Find the right item. Either:

   • Ask the user which item to capture to
   • If the context makes it obvious (e.g., they're working on a specific project), suggest the most likely item
   • List active items and let them pick

   To list items, scan for directories containing context.md in Projects/, Areas/, and Resources/.

4. Append to the item's notes/log.md. Use this format:

   ## {TODAY}
   - {captured text}
   

   If today's date header already exists in the log, append the bullet under the existing header instead of creating a duplicate date.

5. Read the existing log first to check for today's date header and to append correctly.

6. Show confirmation with:

   • What was captured
   • Where it was saved (full path)
   • The item name

If PARA Item Doesn't Have notes/log.md

Create it using the Log Template from skills/para-system/references/templates.md, then append the capture.

Important

• Use Read to check existing log content before writing.
• Use Edit to append to existing files (preferred) or Write if creating new.
• Always preserve existing log entries — never overwrite.
• Keep captured text concise. If the user provides a long block of text, offer to summarize it.
• Replace {TODAY} with today's date in YYYY-MM-DD format.