Logseq Inbox Triage

Logseq Inbox Triage (File Graph)

This skill guides a user through processing and emptying a dedicated [[inbox]] page in a Logseq file graph.

It assumes captured items look like:

• A main bullet that ends with #inbox
• Child blocks containing metadata (captured-at::, source::, etc.)

Goal

• [[inbox]] becomes close to empty (or only contains genuinely unprocessed items).
• Every remaining commitment has a clear home: a project page, a context list, a calendar/deadline, or a someday list.

Triage Rules (Decision Tree)

Process items top-to-bottom. For each item, choose exactly one outcome.

0) Trash

If it is irrelevant, duplicate, or no longer useful:

• Delete it.

1) Do now (2-minute rule)

If it takes ~2 minutes or less:

• Do it immediately.
• Mark the block DONE (or delete it) and keep a brief completion note if useful.

2) Clarify

If the item is vague (no clear action):

• Rewrite the main line into a clear next action, or
• Add a child block next-action:: ... and leave the main line as a note.

3) Next action (single-step)

If it is actionable and not blocked:

• Convert the main line to a task marker (TODO is the default).
• Add context/project metadata if known.
• Move the block out of [[inbox]] into the appropriate page:
• [[Projects/]] for project-related work
• [[@phone]], [[@computer]], [[@errands]] (or your context pages)
• a dedicated list page like [[Next Actions]]

Important:

• Remove #inbox from the main line after moving.

4) Project

If it requires multiple steps:

• Create/identify a project page.
• Move the item there as the project header or first note.
• Add at least one child task under it as a concrete next action.
• Remove #inbox.

5) Waiting for

If someone else must act first:

• Use WAIT / WAITING marker (or keep TODO but add waiting metadata).
• Add waiting-for:: [[Person]] if known.
• Move to [[Waiting For]] or a person/project page.
• Remove #inbox.

6) Schedule / Deadline

If it must happen on/after a specific date:

• Keep it as a task (TODO).
• Add Logseq’s scheduling syntax via /Scheduled or /Deadline.
• Optionally add context/project.
• Move it to the relevant project page.
• Remove #inbox.

7) Someday / Reference

If it is not actionable now:

• Move it to [[Someday]] or a topic page.
• Keep it as a note (no task marker) unless you intentionally want it tracked.
• Remove #inbox.

Rewrite Guidelines

Preserve metadata child blocks

Keep:

• captured-at:: [[Today]] (or the captured date)
• source:: ...

Add when useful:

• project:: [[...]]
• area:: [[...]]
• context:: [[...]]
• waiting-for:: [[...]]

Remove inbox marker when processed

• Only unprocessed items should still end with #inbox.
• Everything processed should have #inbox removed.

Examples

Convert to next action

Before:

- Email Alice #inbox
	- captured-at:: [[Today]]
	- source:: phone

After (moved to a project page or Next Actions page):

- TODO Email Alice about contract terms
	- captured-at:: [[Today]]
	- source:: phone
	- context:: [[@computer]]

Convert to project

- Project: Plan Q1 offsite
	- captured-at:: [[Today]]
	- source:: meeting
	- TODO Draft agenda
		- context:: [[@computer]]
	- TODO Confirm attendees
		- context:: [[@phone]]

Quality Checklist

• [ ] Every unprocessed item still ends with #inbox
• [ ] Every processed item has #inbox removed
• [ ] Tasks use file-graph markers (TODO/DOING/DONE/WAIT/...)
• [ ] Metadata child blocks are preserved
• [ ] Projects have at least one explicit next action

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: Weilong-Qin
• Source: Weilong-Qin/logseq-skills
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.