From the workshop

Note metadata and archive files in SaneFocus

Published May 19, 2026 by JP Forge Studio.

SaneFocus notes can now carry a tiny metadata block for the parts of a scratchpad that should stay quiet: tab names and archive destinations.

A quick note often starts messy. The first visible line might be a task, a pasted link, or a half-written thought. Metadata gives that note a stable label without turning the note itself into a form.

---
title: Inbox
archive: ~/Notes/SaneFocus/archive.md
---

- [ ] Reply to the invoice email
- [x] Check the build upload
- [c] Cancel the old follow-up

Compact tab titles

Add a title field when the first line of the note is not the label you want to see in the tab strip. The note stays plain Markdown, while the tab stays short enough to scan at a glance.

Archive finished context

Add an archive path when you want the archive shortcut to move text out of the active note. If text is selected, Control J moves that selection. If nothing is selected, completed and canceled checklist items are moved instead.

The archive file is plain Markdown, so it remains easy to search, back up, or open in another editor later.

Why this stays small

This is not meant to turn SaneFocus into a project manager. It is a pressure valve for scratch notes: keep the current note light, preserve finished context somewhere simple, and get back to work.

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