How to Build a Second-Brain System Using Only Free Browser Extensions

A "second brain" is a system for saving what you learn, such as articles, ideas, quotes and notes, so you can find and use it later instead of trying to remember everything. The idea was popularized by Tiago Forte's book Building a Second Brain. You don't need paid apps to run one.

Disclosure: Sticky Notes Anywhere is made by Bushe.co.

The method in brief

Forte's CODE steps: Capture what resonates, Organize it by where you'll use it, Distill it to the key points, and Express it in your own work. His PARA folders are Projects, Areas, Resources and Archives.

1. Capture: free tools

• Web clippers: Notion Web Clipper and Obsidian Web Clipper save pages or selections to those free apps. Obsidian stores notes as plain files on your computer.
• Google Keep: the Chrome extension saves links, text and images, synced to your phone.
• Zotero Connector: saves sources with full citations, ideal for research.
• Quick notes while browsing: Sticky Notes Anywhere keeps notes, checklists and snippets in a panel (Ctrl + Shift + S), stored only on your computer.
• Chrome's Reading list: for articles to read later, before deciding whether to keep them.

2. Organize: keep it simple

• Projects: things with a deadline, such as a client report.
• Areas: ongoing responsibilities, such as health or finances.
• Resources: topics you're interested in.
• Archives: finished projects and old material.

Use the same four folders in your notes app and your bookmarks. Organize by where you'll use something, not by topic alone.

3. Distill: keep only the useful part

When you save something, highlight the key sentences, then add one line in your own words: why it matters to you. Future you won't reread a whole article.

4. Express: use it

A second brain is only worth it if notes turn into work: a post, a proposal, a decision. Start each project by searching your notes for what you already have.

The weekly review

1. Empty your capture tools into the right folders.
2. Delete what no longer seems useful.
3. Move finished projects to Archives.

Fifteen minutes a week keeps the system from becoming another pile.

Privacy and lock-in

• Cloud clippers send pages to the company's servers; avoid clipping sensitive work material.
• Prefer tools that export in open formats, such as Markdown, so you can move later.

See bookmark tips for researchers and building a swipe file.