name: flashcard description: Create and edit flashcards for spaced repetition learning. Use when the user wants to create, modify, format, or troubleshoot flashcards in their notes.
Flashcard Skill
This skill enables you to create and edit flashcards for spaced repetition learning. Flashcards are stored in markdown files with specific formatting rules.
Flashcard Structure
Flashcards can be defined in two styles:
Single-Line Style
A single-line flashcard uses :: or ::: as separators:
Question :: Answer— Standard flashcard (question on front)Question ::: Answer— Reversed flashcard (both sides can be swapped)
Examples:
What is the capital of France? :: Paris
The process of photosynthesis ::: Plants converting light energy into chemical energy
Multiple-Line Style
A multiple-line flashcard uses ? or ?? as separators:
Standard flashcard (?):
What are the three types of rock?
?
Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
Reversed flashcard (??):
The Pythagorean theorem
??
a² + b² = c² in a right triangle
Desk Organization
Flashcards must always belong to a desk, indicated by tags prefixed with #flashcards:
Desk Tags
#flashcards/Math— All math flashcards#flashcards/Math/Addition— Specific topic within math#flashcards/History/WorldWar2— Multi-level desk hierarchy
Example:
#flashcards/Math/Addition
What is 2 + 2? :: 4
What is 15 + 27? :: 42
#flashcards/Math/Subtraction
What is 10 - 3? :: 7
What is 50 - 18? :: 32
Rules for Desk Tags
- Every flashcard must be below a desk tag (prefixed with
#flashcards) - Desk tags can have hierarchical paths using
/separator - All flashcards between one desk tag and the next (or end of file) belong to that desk
Sequential Review with @start/@end Markers
For flashcards that need to be reviewed in a specific order, use @start and @end markers:
Syntax
@start <Description>
Question 1 :: Answer 1
Question 2 :: Answer 2
Question 3 :: Answer 3
@end
- The
@startmarker must include a description - Flashcards between
@startand@endare always reviewed in sequence - Sequential groups must still be under a desk tag
Example:
#flashcards/Spanish/Verbs
@start Present tense conjugation of "hablar"
yo :: hablo
tú :: hablas
él/ella :: habla
nosotros :: hablamos
@end
Regular flashcard outside sequence :: Answer
Formatting Rules
Critical Rules
- Flashcards cannot contain empty lines — A flashcard ends at the first empty line
- Flashcards are separated by 2 empty lines — This creates clear boundaries between cards
- Desk tags required — All flashcards must be below a
#flashcards/tag - Sequential groups — Use
@start <Description>and@endfor ordered review
Valid Flashcard Examples
#flashcards/Biology
What is DNA? :: Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic information
What is RNA?
?
Ribonucleic acid, involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation
@start Cell organelles and functions
Mitochondria :: Powerhouse of the cell, produces ATP
Nucleus :: Contains genetic material and controls cell activities
Ribosome :: Protein synthesis
@end
Invalid Examples
❌ Missing desk tag:
What is 2 + 2? :: 4
❌ Empty line within flashcard:
#flashcards/Math
What is the Pythagorean theorem?
:: a² + b² = c²
❌ Only one empty line between flashcards:
#flashcards/History
Question 1 :: Answer 1
Question 2 :: Answer 2
✅ Correct format:
#flashcards/History
Question 1 :: Answer 1
Question 2 :: Answer 2
Creating Flashcards
When creating flashcards for users:
- Identify or create appropriate desk tags based on the subject matter
- Choose the right style — Use single-line for short Q&A, multiple-line for longer content
- Use reversed style (
:::or??) when both directions make sense (e.g., definitions, translations) - Group sequential content with
@start/@endwhen order matters (e.g., conjugations, steps in a process) - Respect spacing — No empty lines in cards, exactly 2 empty lines between cards
Example: Complete Flashcard File
# Spanish Vocabulary
#flashcards/Spanish/Greetings
Hello :: Hola
Goodbye :: Adiós
Please ::: Por favor
#flashcards/Spanish/Verbs
@start Present tense - estar (to be)
yo :: estoy
tú :: estás
él/ella :: está
nosotros :: estamos
@end
What is the past tense of "ir"?
?
Fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fueron
#flashcards/Spanish/Numbers
One to ten in Spanish
?
Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez
Rules Summary
- ✅ Always use desk tags prefixed with
#flashcards/ - ✅ Separate flashcards with exactly 2 empty lines
- ✅ No empty lines within a flashcard
- ✅ Use
::for standard,:::for reversed single-line cards - ✅ Use
?for standard,??for reversed multiple-line cards - ✅ Use
@start <Description>and@endfor sequential review - ✅ The
@startmarker must always include a description