Sets & spaces

What is a Set?

A Set is a collection of objects. Think of it as a saved, filtered view over everything in your workspace — like a smart folder, but more powerful.

A Set answers the question: "Show me all objects that match these criteria."

All objects where type = Task AND status = In Progress
All objects where type = Book AND tag = To read
All objects where type = Project AND area = Work

Sets are live — they update automatically as objects are created, changed, or deleted. You don't maintain them manually.

Creating a Set

1. Press ⌘N and choose Set, or
2. Click + New in the sidebar → Set, or
3. Type /set inside any page to embed a Set inline.

Configuring a Set

Once created, click Configure to set:

• Included types — which object types to show (e.g. only Tasks, or Tasks + Pages)
• Filters — narrow by any property (status, tag, date, custom fields)
• Sort — order by any property
• View — table, list, gallery, board, or timeline

A Set remembers its configuration. Every time you open it, it shows the current matching objects.

Dynamic vs static collections

Dynamic Sets (default)

A dynamic Set shows any object that currently matches its filter criteria. Objects enter and leave the Set automatically.

Example: A Set filtered to type = Task AND status ≠ Done always shows your open tasks, wherever they live in the workspace.

Static collections (manual curation)

Sometimes you want to curate a list yourself — adding specific objects by hand rather than by rule. For this, create a Page or Database and manually link objects into it using @ links or a Relation property.

Example: A "Reading list" database where you add Book objects one by one, each with a status (To read / Reading / Done) and your notes.

Both approaches are valid. Many workflows use a mix: dynamic Sets for processing ("show me everything unprocessed") and static collections for curation ("my hand-picked list of reference material").

Spaces

A Space is a named section in the sidebar that groups objects and Sets together. Spaces work like tabs or folders for navigation — without imposing a rigid hierarchy on the objects themselves.

Examples of spaces:

• Work — your active projects, meetings, and tasks related to work
• Personal — personal notes, habits, reading list
• Knowledge base — evergreen notes, references, permanent notes
• Inbox — recently captured, unprocessed items (see Inbox & capture)

Setting up a space

1. Right-click the sidebar → New space, or
2. Drag a Set or page into a sidebar section to pin it.

Pinning something to the sidebar doesn't move it — the object lives in the workspace, the sidebar entry is just a shortcut. The same object can appear in multiple spaces.

Inline Sets

Use the /set command inside any page to embed a live Set directly in your content.

Example: A Project page with an inline Set filtered to type = Task AND project = this page shows all tasks for that project, live, inside the project document itself.

Inline Sets support all the same views as standalone Sets — table, list, board, gallery, and timeline.

Sets as dashboards

Combine multiple inline Sets on a single page to build a personal dashboard:

# Dashboard

## Open tasks
/set → type = Task, status ≠ Done, assignee = Me

## Active projects
/set → type = Project, status = Active

## Reading now
/set → type = Book, status = Reading

The page becomes a live overview of your workspace — no manual updating required.