By name: b4brain description: Orchestrates GTD and PARA integration. Use for cross-methodology workflows like syncing projects, understanding how the two systems work together, or troubleshooting cross-system issues. For methodology-specific questions, use the standalone gtd or para skills.
The Two Layers of b4brain
This system integrates two standalone methodologies:
| Layer | System | Skill | Question It Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organization | PARA | para skill |
"Where does this belong?" |
| Execution | GTD | gtd skill |
"What do I do next?" |
This skill handles the integration between them.
When to Use Each Skill
- PARA skill → Folder organization, categorization decisions, archiving
- GTD skill → Task capture, clarification, reviews, project milestones
- b4brain skill → Syncing projects between PARA and GTD, cross-system decisions, troubleshooting integration issues
Key Integration Points
- GTD H2 (Areas of Focus) ↔ PARA Areas - Ongoing responsibilities map to
2 Areas/folder - GTD Projects ↔ PARA Projects - Milestones (GTD) sync with folders (
1 Projects/) - GTD Reviews ↔ PARA Review - Reviews touch both systems
- Sync - Sync PARA projects with GTD milestones
- Decide - Help choosing between GTD and PARA for a task
- Troubleshoot - Cross-system issues
- Understand - How GTD and PARA work together
Wait for response before proceeding.
| Response | Workflow |
|---|---|
| 1, "sync", "projects", "milestones" | workflows/sync-para-gtd.md |
| 2, "decide", "which", "where", "categorize" | workflows/guide-decision.md |
| 3, "troubleshoot", "problem", "stuck", "not working" | workflows/troubleshoot-system.md |
| 4, "understand", "explain", "how", "integration" | workflows/answer-question.md |
| Other | Clarify intent, then select appropriate workflow |
After reading the workflow, follow it exactly.
b4brain Folder Structure
The combined PARA + GTD structure:
inbox/ # GTD capture point
├── SCRATCH.md # Primary quick capture file
└── [captured items] # Items awaiting processing
1_Projects/ # Active work with deadlines
├── _INDEX.md # Project overview
└── [Project-Name]/ # One folder per project (synced with GTD milestones)
2_Areas/ # Ongoing responsibilities
├── _INDEX.md # Area overview
└── [area-name].md # One file per area
3_Resources/ # Reference material & documentation
├── _INDEX.md # Resource overview
└── [topic]/ # Topic-based resources
4_Archive/ # Inactive items
├── _INDEX.md # Archive overview
└── [archived items] # Completed/inactive content
_GTD_TASKS.md # Central task list by context (GTD)
For folder management, use the para skill CLI.
For task management, use the gtd skill CLI.
Domain Knowledge
All in references/:
Integration:
- unified-workflow.md - How PARA and GTD work together
- b4brain-structure.md - Specific folder conventions and metadata
Guidance:
- common-mistakes.md - System-level anti-patterns and recovery strategies
- documentation-patterns.md - Reusable patterns (Watch List, Decision Matrix, Status Badges)
Optional:
- zettelkasten-principles.md - Knowledge synthesis method (for reference only)
Workflows
All in workflows/:
| Workflow | Purpose |
|---|---|
| sync-para-gtd.md | Sync PARA project folders with GTD milestones |
| guide-decision.md | Help choose between GTD and PARA for a task |
| troubleshoot-system.md | Diagnose and fix cross-system problems |
| answer-question.md | Explain integration concepts |