Notelit is a daily notes app with bidirectional backlinks ([[wikilinks]]), a visual knowledge graph, AI chat, Google Calendar integration, a books tracker, and web snapshots. It works entirely in your browser — no installation required.

Is Notelit like Obsidian?

Notelit offers similar features to Obsidian — backlinks, a knowledge graph, and daily notes — but runs entirely in the browser without installation. It also adds AI chat, Google Calendar sync, a books tracker, and web snapshots that Obsidian doesn't have built in.

How much does Notelit cost?

Notelit Pro costs €5.99 per month, billed monthly. You can cancel anytime. A 3-day free trial is included — no credit card required.

How long is the free trial?

Notelit's free trial lasts 3 days and gives you full access to all Pro features. No credit card is required to start.

What are backlinks in Notelit?

Backlinks in Notelit are bidirectional connections between notes. Type [[Page Name]] in any bullet and Notelit automatically links both pages. Every page has a backlinks panel showing all notes that reference it. All connections are visualised in the interactive knowledge graph.

Does Notelit work offline?

Yes. Notelit caches your notes locally with IndexedDB. You can read and write notes offline and they sync automatically when you reconnect.

Can I track my reading in Notelit?

Yes. Notelit has a built-in books library and reading tracker. Add books, take chapter notes, mark your reading status, and link books to your daily journal with [[wikilinks]].

What is the Web Snapshots feature?

When you paste a URL into any Notelit bullet, it automatically fetches the page title, a full screenshot, and the favicon. All saved URLs appear in the Snapshots gallery — a searchable, visual bookmark manager built into your notes.

Is my data private in Notelit?

Yes. Notelit uses end-to-end encryption and never sells or shares your data. Your notes are never used to train AI models.

Does Notelit sync with Google Calendar?

Yes. Connect your Google Calendar with one click and your events appear in the daily notes panel for each day. Notelit only reads your calendar — nothing is written back.

Home › Blog › Zettelkasten Method

Zettelkasten · 8 min read

What Is the Zettelkasten Method? (And Why Your Notes Need to Connect, Not Just Accumulate)

Niklas Luhmann wrote 70 books using 90,000 index cards. The secret wasn't genius — it was a system. Here's how the Zettelkasten method works, why folders are killing your thinking, and how to start yours today.

Zettelkasten (German for "slip box") is a note-taking method built on three principles: atomicity (one idea per note), autonomy (each note is self-contained), and connection (every note links to related notes). Luhmann didn't just store ideas — he linked them, creating a system that generated new insights by surfacing unexpected connections between distant concepts.

The digital equivalent of Luhmann's slip box is a notes app with bidirectional backlinks. Apps like Notelit implement Zettelkasten principles natively: each [[wikilink]] creates a connection, each backlink page shows all references, and the knowledge graph reveals the structure of your thinking over time. The system does the filing — you do the thinking.

Start your Zettelkasten in Notelit

Notelit's backlinks feature implements Zettelkasten connections natively. Write daily notes, use [[wikilinks]] to connect ideas, and let Notelit build your knowledge graph. Start free — no credit card needed.

What Is the Zettelkasten Method? (And Why Your Notes Need to Connect, Not Just Accumulate)

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Start your Zettelkasten in Notelit